MANDARIN ® – salmon dwarf miniature rose – Kordes (pharmaROSA® NEONATAL)
Miniature own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material of MANDARIN ® offers a compact, dense and reliably uniform base for nursery-scale container production and edging stock, aligning with UK growers supplying impulse-led patio and bedding assortments. The coral-salmon to peach-pink colour range suits small-format, high-turnover lines, while its naturally cluster-flowered, self-cleaning habit underpins efficient crop presentation with reduced grooming at dispatch. As own-root propagation material, it provides long-term stand stability for cultivar maintenance blocks and collection beds, supporting predictable re-cutting and renewal without rootstock variation. The H7-rated winter hardiness is advantageous where nursery networks also serve cooler regions, in a climate that often demands roses coping with wind-exposed, changeable conditions. Semi-double flowers with accessible stamens add subtle pollinator interest, reinforcing thematic and public-realm collection concepts. Under professional production a typical development arc applies: roots consolidate in year one, framework and flowering build in year two, and full ornamental value is expressed from year three in well-managed stock.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 1.5–2 L patio mini-rose line – compact, dense plants with cluster-flowered, self-cleaning blooms finished in 1.5–2 L pots as a colour-strong patio SKU – garden-centre and nursery retail benches
- Edging-module production block – propagation and grow-on to create uniform edging modules for later field or project planting, leveraging the low, compact habit – public-realm and small-park contractors
- Miniature collection feature mix – inclusion of MANDARIN ® in curated Lilliputs®-type miniature assortments, emphasising distinctive salmon colour shifts and tidy growth – show gardens and specialist nurseries
- Impulse trolley “salmon splash” range – colour-coordinated trolleys dominated by MANDARIN ® to maximise impulse appeal with vivid, shifting coral-salmon tones and high flower count – supermarket and high-turnover retail channels
- Pollinator-accent mini concept – semi-double, stamen-rich flowers positioned within small-format “decorative yet wildlife-aware” ranges, using uniform container-grown batches – eco-positioned garden retailers and landscapers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Miniature rose within the Lilliputs® collection, commercial dwarf mini rose type; registered as KORlisuha, marketed as MANDARIN ® Lilliputs® KORlisuha, ARS exhibition name Mandarin. |
| Origin and breeding |
Breed by W. Kordes & Sons in Germany (breeding year 2003), introduced and registered in 2016 by W. Kordes’ Söhne, with parentage not provided and commercial deployment from German breeding lines. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised with Madrid Certificate of Merit (Miniature, 2016), Rome Bronze Medal (Floribunda, 2016), and in Australia’s National Rose Trial Garden Adelaide gained Silver Medal and Dean Stringer Award for Best Miniature in 2019. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, dense bush with 45–55 cm height and 35–45 cm spread, sparsely thorned shoots and mid-green glossy foliage; good self-cleaning ensures natural fall of most spent blooms, supporting tidy presentation. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped, cluster-flowered blooms with 13–25 petals, small-sized at 0.5–1.5 inches; remontant with abundant second flowering, providing extended display cycles when managed within container production systems. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Colour ranges from vivid coral-salmon with orange tendency to peach-pink tones; RHS 34B outer, 36C inner; fading lightens petals to pale salmon, with stronger fading in intense sun yet maintaining an attractive multi-tonal effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
No noticeable fragrance is recorded; flowers are regarded as scentless, but semi-double form with accessible stamens contributes some pollinator interest, adding a functional dimension beyond colour alone in planting concepts. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderately abundant, spherical orange-red hips, typically 5–7 mm diameter; hips extend seasonal interest slightly beyond peak flowering where cutting-back is not required for production or display objectives. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Very susceptible to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, demanding regular plant protection; however, offers H7 hardiness, Swedish Zone 3 and USDA 6b performance, tolerating -21 to -18 °C with moderate heat and drought tolerance under irrigation. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used for containers, edging, beds, parks and urban green spaces; suited to compact container–patio product routes, with high maintenance needs and regular interventions essential to sustain foliage quality and flowering continuity. |
MANDARIN ® in pharmaROSA® NEONATAL form combines compact, uniform growth, vivid cluster-flowered colour and reliable hardiness on long-lived own roots, supporting predictable, regenerating stands; please contact us to discuss scheduling and capacity for your programme.
