All About Kordes Roses and Their Best Flowers

When I first started exploring roses, I thought myself to be pretty educated once I knew the difference between a David Austin and a Knock Out.

And then I discovered a whole new world of Rosa types.

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From the storied House of Meilland International to the ever-reliable Kordes, there are some incredible brands out there that don’t have quite the same level of name recognition as more familiar companies.

But in the case of brands like Kordes, their impact on the industry can’t be overstated. Their roses are just as good, and often better, than others.

If you’ve never heard of Kordes before, or you’ve seen the label in passing and wondered what their story is, this guide will explain all there is to know. Here’s what we’re going to discuss:

The Kordes company is named for Wilhelm Kordes, who founded W. Kordes’ Sohne (W. Kordes’ and Sons) in Hamburg, Germany, in 1887.

The 22-year-old was a rose collector and he rapidly gained a reputation as a leader in rose propagation.

In 1918, the business was moved to Sparrieshoop, Germany, where it’s currently headquartered.

Wilhelm’s sons Wilhelm II and Herman joined the venture in the 1920s as breeders and in marketing. By the 1930s, the company was selling a million plants annually across the globe.

In 1950, Wilhelm’s grandkids Reimer, Herman II, and Werner became a part of the company, and the company was selling four million plants annually throughout the 1960s.

During the late 1980s, the fourth generation of the Kordes family took over, led by Wilhelm III, Bernd, and Tim-Herman, and the fifth