Rosa 'KORdiagraf'

Summary

UC Davis is located in Davis, California, this site has a silty clay loam soil and plants are irrigated with potable water. More information about the field sites is located in the Nuts & Bolts section.

Dark Desire is a dark red, fragrant hybrid tea rose that develops a lax, sprawling habit that might be more attractive with some support or if placed at the back of a large border where it could blend with other plants. Roses were displayed at the ends of long canes, which became arching as the season progressed, in a mostly non-uniform habit.  Flowering was greatest in May, though there was not uniformly full coverage on all plants on any treatment. Where most roses in our climate will perk up in September for a fall bloom and look good through at least November, this one began to decline in foliage quality and overall appearance in September, though it threw up a few blooms. It was marginally acceptable in overall appearance only on the highest irrigation treatment, and would probably fare better in a cooler climate (Table 11a). Its apparent water stress lent it to pest damage, though it was very disease resistant. The lowest treatment appears to be smaller in size than the two higher irrigation treatments, but these differences were not significant. 

The habit and performance of Rosa ‘KORdiagraf’ was unevenly acceptable to Open House participants based upon the Overall Appearance scores, declining after the May event (Table 11b). Their comments noted its “leggy form” as undesirable. Flower color was either praised as “unique” or deemed “not particularly attractive” with some participants recording they did not prefer the open appearance of older blooms.

Growth and Quality Data

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