‘Pink Forest’ is a relatively new and highly regarded floribunda rose, bred by Kordes in Germany as a sport of the popular ‘Black Forest’ rose. This variety is celebrated for its toughness and reliability, a hallmark of the Kordes breeding programme. It produces an abundance of small to medium-sized, semi-double, hot pink flowers that hold their colour exceptionally well, even in strong sunlight. The plant has a dense, upright, and bushy growth habit with glossy, dark green foliage, and it boasts outstanding disease resistance, making it a perfect choice for low-maintenance gardening.
Usage This versatile rose is ideal for mass planting in garden beds to create a vibrant and long-lasting display of colour. Its compact size and tidy habit also make it an excellent choice for low hedges, borders, or for planting in large pots and containers on a patio or balcony. It’s a great option for gardeners who want the beauty of roses without the fuss of constant care. The flowers, while not a feature, do have a very light, delicate fragrance and are attractive to bees.
Care Tips
- Sunlight: Plant in a position that receives full sun (at least six hours per day). This will ensure the best flowering performance and help to maintain the plant’s excellent disease resistance.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, but for best results, enrich the soil with organic matter like compost before planting.
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly during its first year to help it establish. Once mature, it is quite heat-tolerant and resilient, but will perform best with consistent moisture during hot, dry spells.
- Fertilising: A light application of a slow-release fertiliser in early spring is generally sufficient. Regular feeding with a liquid fertiliser during the growing season will encourage more frequent and abundant blooms.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the bush and remove any old or dead wood. Regular light trimming throughout the flowering season will encourage a continuous flush of new flowers and maintain the plant’s neat shape.
- Pests & Diseases: ‘Pink Forest’ is highly disease-resistant, particularly to black spot and powdery mildew. This makes it an ideal, low-spray option for gardeners.
