Abracadabra

General information

• This rose belongs to the floribunda rose group rosen.de/…pe/floribunda-roses/abracadabra

• A selection by W. Kordes' Söhne in Germany.

Colour and flower characteristics

• The flowers are very decorative — often striped in red, white and yellow tones with cream-coloured stripes or blotches.

• Each flower may differ slightly — some blooms are solid-coloured, others are heavily striped.

• The flower form is double, with enough petals to create a full, decorative bloom.

Growth characteristics

• Height: about 75-90 cm and width approximately up to 50-60 cm.

• Growth habit: upright, with well-developed, glossy, medium-dark green foliage and relatively few thorns.

• Blooming period: repeat-flowering, from early summer (June) and repeatedly until autumn.

Hardiness and care

• Some sources rate this rose as having good disease resistance.

• The plant is not demanding about soil — it can grow in different soil types (sandy, clay, calcareous) with sufficient drainage.

• A sunny position should be ensured — the flowers need full sun for the colours to be vivid and flowering to be good.

Use in the garden

• Excellent for the garden as a decorative feature, especially in places where attention is to be drawn through contrasts of colour and form.

• It can be used both in beds and as a single plant in a shrub group, as well as for cutting for flower vases.

• It is recommended to combine it with simpler background plants or against a backdrop of low ornamental shrubs to highlight the drama of the striped flowers.

Drawbacks or special notes

• Variability of striping — the colour pattern can vary greatly, and this can be both an advantage and a challenge if a uniform appearance is desired.

• As this rose is highly decorative, it may not have the strongest fragrance.

• Winter hardiness. If grown in Latvia, it is recommended to provide additional winter protection, as the climatic conditions can be challenging.

Recommendations for growing in Latvia

• Choose a location with good sun exposure (at least 6-8 h per day) and protection from wind.

• Ensure good soil drainage by adding compost or well-rotted organic matter.

• After flowering, remove spent blooms to encourage the formation of new shoots and flowers.

• In autumn, prepare the shrub for winter — mulch the base and, if necessary, lightly heap soil or peat around the stem, especially in the first years of growth.

• Provide regular watering during drier periods, especially before and after flowering.

• If shoots with unstriped (solid-coloured) flowers appear, it may be advisable to cut out and remove them in order to maintain the characteristic variegation.