W. Kordes' Söhne

W. Kordes' Söhne, also known in English as W. Kordes' Sons, is a German rose-breeding and rose-production company based in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Schleswig-Holstein. Wilhelm Kordes I established the business in 1887 by creating a rose garden in Elmshorn. The firm later moved to Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop in 1918, where it developed into one of the prominent rose breeders of the twentieth century and continued operating as a family-associated horticultural enterprise. The company’s reputation was built primarily on breeding roses suited to demanding northern European conditions. Under Wilhelm Kordes II, the breeding program emphasized winter hardiness, plant health, garden performance, and attractive flowers. Rather than concentrating on a single commercial class, the company worked across shrub roses, floribundas, hybrid teas, climbers, ground-cover roses, garden roses, and roses grown for the cut-flower trade. This broad portfolio allowed Kordes varieties to serve both private gardens and professional horticultural markets. A major part of the firm’s historical importance was its use of species roses and wider genetic diversity in breeding. Wilhelm Kordes II worked with European rose species and Rosa rugosa, and during the Second World War crossed Rosa wichurana with Rosa rugosa. The resulting Rosa kordesii material contributed to later varieties capable of tolerating the harsh winters of northern Germany. Its influence can be traced through a number of post-war Kordes introductions and through the dark, glossy foliage associated with some modern roses. Kordes also became associated with the development and use of systematic rose evaluation in Germany. Wilhelm Kordes II was involved in the implementation of ADR testing in 1950, a testing framework used to assess new German roses for characteristics such as health, flowering, habit, and hardiness. This emphasis on tested garden performance became consistent with the company’s broader positioning as a breeder of robust, reliable roses rather than varieties selected only for visual appeal. The company’s best-known cultivars include 'Schneewittchen', internationally recognized as 'Iceberg', as well as 'Crimson Glory', 'Sunsprite', 'Alchymist', 'Aprikola', and numerous other roses released across several generations. 'Iceberg', introduced in 1958, became one of the world’s most widely recognized rose cultivars and was selected as the World Favourite Rose in 1983. Other Kordes roses have gained visibility through awards, garden use, nursery distribution, and the international cut-flower market. The business sells rose plants through retail and wholesale channels and supplies both garden-rose and cut-rose markets. The company’s breeding process is long-term: tens of thousands of new crosses may be evaluated each year, while only a small number ultimately proceed to commercial introduction after approximately eight to ten years of trials. This selection model reflects the biological timescale of rose breeding and the importance of field performance, disease resistance, and market suitability. Today, W. Kordes' Söhne remains associated with German rose breeding and distributes its varieties internationally. Its brand positioning combines traditional family-linked horticultural expertise with modern selection priorities, especially plant health, resilience, flowering quality, and suitability for gardens in different climates.

Wilhelm Kordes I founded the business in 1887 when he established a rose garden in Elmshorn, Holstein. The original enterprise concentrated on growing garden roses. In 1918, the firm moved to Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop in Schleswig-Holstein, which remains associated with the company. Wilhelm Kordes I’s sons, Wilhelm Kordes II and Hermann Kordes, expanded the business and adopted the name Wilhelm Kordes' Söhne. Hermann handled much of the management, while Wilhelm Kordes II became the central figure in the breeding program. By the middle of the 1930s, the company had grown substantially and was recognized as an important rose firm. Wilhelm Kordes II aimed to produce roses that were both attractive and capable of surviving the German climate. His early breeding work included European species such as Rosa canina, Rosa rubiginosa, and Rosa spinosissima, as well as Rosa rugosa and hybrid musk material. This work produced shrub roses and other cultivars that contributed to the company’s reputation for hardiness and garden performance. The breeding program also included hybrid teas and floribundas, including the historically important 'Crimson Glory'. During the Second World War, Wilhelm Kordes II crossed the East Asian species Rosa wichurana with the Japanese Rosa rugosa. This work eventually produced Rosa kordesii, a rose capable of withstanding the severe winters of northern Germany. Kordesii-derived breeding material became important in later varieties such as 'Parkdirektor Riggers', 'Leverkusen', 'Hamburger Phönix', and 'Heidelberg'. Wilhelm Kordes II was involved in the introduction of ADR testing in 1950. The German testing system provided a structured way to evaluate new roses, helping establish health, flowering, habit, and hardiness as important criteria in the selection of garden varieties. This institutional and breeding emphasis reinforced the company’s identity as a breeder of dependable roses rather than merely ornamental novelties. From 1955, Reimer Kordes led the business and broadened the range of roses introduced by the firm. His work included brightly colored hybrid teas and floribundas, but also climbers, shrubs, ground-cover roses, and cut roses. Important introductions associated with this period include 'Alchymist', 'Immensee', 'Sommerwind', 'Duftzauber 84', 'Kupferkönigin', 'Lucinde', 'Rosenstadt Zweibrücken', 'Golden Holstein', and 'Champagner'. Reimer Kordes introduced 'Schneewittchen', known internationally as 'Iceberg', in 1958. The cultivar became one of the best-known roses in the world and received the World Favourite Rose distinction in 1983. Its success helped cement the company’s international profile. Other widely recognized Kordes cultivars include 'Sunsprite' and 'Aprikola'. Reimer’s son Wilhelm Kordes III took over company leadership in 1977. The company continued working across garden and cut-rose categories, combining traditional breeding lines with extended trials. According to the company description summarized in the reference material, tens of thousands of new garden-rose and cut-rose crosses are tested annually, but only a small number become commercial varieties after a trial period of roughly eight to ten years. W. Kordes' Söhne is now known internationally as a breeder and producer whose varieties are distributed through retail and wholesale horticultural channels. Its historical continuity, use of species-derived breeding material, participation in German rose evaluation, and focus on health and hardiness remain central to the brand’s identity.

• 1983

  Iceberg is named World Favourite Rose

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  The 'Iceberg' cultivar receives the World Favourite Rose distinction.

• 1977

  Wilhelm Kordes III takes over leadership

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  Wilhelm Kordes III succeeds Reimer Kordes as company leader.

• 1958

  Iceberg is introduced

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  Reimer Kordes introduces 'Schneewittchen', internationally marketed as 'Iceberg'.

• 1950

  Kordes participates in the development of ADR testing

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  Wilhelm Kordes II is involved in implementing the German ADR testing approach for new roses.

• 1920

  Wilhelm Kordes II concentrates on rose breeding

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  Wilhelm Kordes II focuses his work entirely on roses while Hermann Kordes manages the expanding business.

• 1918

  The firm moves to Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  The company relocates from Elmshorn to Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop in Schleswig-Holstein.

• 1887

  Wilhelm Kordes I establishes the rose business

  [1]W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org

  Wilhelm Kordes I creates a rose garden in Elmshorn, establishing the enterprise that later becomes W. Kordes' Söhne.

A premium German rose breeder focused on healthy, hardy, attractive roses for gardens and professional cultivation, with a portfolio spanning garden roses and cut flowers.

• Floribunda rose · 1958

  Iceberg

  Introduced as 'Schneewittchen' in 1958 and marketed internationally as 'Iceberg', this is one of the company’s most recognized cultivars. Its international reputation and 1983 World Favourite Rose distinction made it a defining Kordes variety.

• Hybrid tea rose · 1935

  Crimson Glory

  A historically important Kordes hybrid tea introduced in 1935. It became associated with the company’s early twentieth-century success and was described in the reference material as having an unusually long period as a highly favored crimson rose.

• Climbing rose · 1956

  Alchymist

  A large-flowered climbing rose introduced by Reimer Kordes. It represents the company’s work beyond compact bush roses and illustrates its long-standing coverage of climbing and landscape-oriented garden forms.

• Garden rose

  Sunsprite

  A well-known Kordes garden rose included among the company’s internationally recognized cultivars. It forms part of the broader portfolio of roses selected for decorative value and garden use.

• Floribunda rose

  Aprikola

  An established Kordes cultivar cited among the company’s notable modern roses. It illustrates the continuing development of colorful, repeat-flowering garden roses for private and professional landscapes.

• Cut flowers

  Kordes cut roses

  The company breeds and produces roses for the cut-flower trade in addition to garden plants. Cut-rose work forms a distinct part of the portfolio and is evaluated through the same extended breeding and trial process used for garden varieties.

• 1958

  Launch of IcebergProduct launch

  Background

  The company was expanding its portfolio across garden-rose categories under breeder Reimer Kordes.

  Action taken

  Reimer Kordes introduced 'Schneewittchen', later widely marketed under the name 'Iceberg'.

  Aftermath

  The cultivar became one of the best-known roses internationally and was named World Favourite Rose in 1983.

  Source

• 1950

  Adopt systematic performance testing for new rosesStrategy

  Background

  German rose breeders were developing a common testing approach to compare new varieties for garden performance.

  Action taken

  Wilhelm Kordes II participated in implementing ADR testing, reinforcing the company’s emphasis on health, hardiness, flowering, and plant habit.

  Aftermath

  Testing became an important part of the German rose-breeding environment and aligned with Kordes’ reputation for robust garden roses.

  Source

1. 1W. Kordes' Söhneen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kordes Rosen official websitekordes-rosen.com