SUSAN MASSU® – yellow-pink hybrid tea rose – Kordes
Step out after rain and meet balance in the form of SUSAN MASSU®, a classic hybrid tea rose whose tall, upright stems carry perfectly shaped, exhibition-style blooms for weeks on end. Each flower opens in serene harmony, from lemon-yellow centres to softly salmon-pink edges, ideal for cutting and bringing indoors. Own-root plants establish gradually yet reliably, building longevity and the ability to regenerate if weather or pruning are less than perfect. In typical British conditions – including exposed spots where coastal winds and wet spells test many roses – its dense, glossy foliage and proven disease resistance help keep care simple. Planted once and then lightly maintained, it suits busy owners who still want regular, beautifully formed blooms and a fragrant path to the front door. Over its first seasons it focuses on roots, then height and branching, and by the third year delivers full garden impact with repeat flushes. In a compact London front garden or small terrace border, its upright structure, medium-height habit and reliable flowering make it an easy, sustainable choice for long-term enjoyment.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden focal point |
The tall, upright habit and classically shaped blooms create a clear vertical accent that fits narrow London front gardens without overwhelming the space. Dense, dark foliage gives a smart, well-kept look with modest pruning – especially appealing for the busy urban gardener |
| Cutting and vase flowers |
High-centred, solitary blooms on long stems are ideal for cutting, with 40+ petals and a sweet, noticeable scent that lasts indoors. Regular deadheading for vases also keeps the plant neat and encourages further flowering – rewarding for the home flower arranger |
| Sunny mixed border |
Performs best in a sunny position, where remontant flowering provides repeated colour from early summer onwards. Medium maintenance and good resistance to black spot and mildew mean less spraying and simpler routines – reassuring for the time-conscious beginner |
| Rain‑resilient urban planting |
Dense foliage and upright shoots cope well with typical city weather where frequent showers and gusty conditions challenge flowers. With sensible soil preparation to improve drainage on heavier ground, it remains reliable – confidence‑building for the small-space homeowner |
| Own‑root long‑term planting |
Supplied as an own-root plant, it develops steadily into a stable, durable shrub that can regenerate from its base after hard pruning or winter damage, avoiding graft failures and suckers. This underpins a long service life for the sustainability-minded gardener |
| Single-specimen feature in clay soils |
When planted with improved drainage and organic matter, it adapts well to heavier suburban clay, rewarding the effort with sturdy, upright growth and consistent bloom production despite challenging soil – encouraging for the typical family-garden owner |
| Large container on terrace or balcony |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot with peat-free compost and regular watering, SUSAN MASSU® becomes a vertical accent for city terraces. An own-root plant fills the container gradually, building a durable framework – a practical choice for the pot-based city gardener |
| Structured hedge or row |
Planted in a row at the recommended spacing, its uniform height and upright habit form a neat, flower-lined path, with repeated flushes giving months of colour even where rain and wind are frequent. This suits the order-loving garden planner |
Styling ideas
- Terraced-Elegance – Line a narrow London front path with SUSAN MASSU® underplanted with low Nepeta and dwarf oregano for soft edging – ideal for homeowners wanting refined colour in a compact footprint
- Cutting-Corner – Group three bushes in a sunny border with lavender and compact sage, creating a scented cutting patch – suitable for beginners keen on easy home bouquets
- Clay-Border – In heavier suburban soil, mound improved topsoil and mix in grit, then plant as a specimen framed by horned violas – useful for family gardeners working with challenging ground
- Balcony-Focus – Grow one plant in a 50 litre container with peat-free compost and a simple rainwater-watering routine, paired with trailing violas – perfect for urban balcony owners seeking one strong focal rose
- Formal-Ribbon – Create a short, straight ribbon of roses along a drive at hedge spacing, softened with strips of low medicinal sage – attractive for those who like ordered, classical front gardens
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as KORad and marketed as SUSAN MASSU® hybrid tea rose; exhibition-type blooms, ARS exhibition name Susan Massu, verified premium silver quality. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes (W. Kordes' Söhne) in Germany from ‘Colour Wonder’ × ‘Liberty Bell’; introduced and registered in 1970, combining classic hybrid tea form with reliable garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bush 130–170 cm high and 75–105 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; spent blooms persist and usually require deadheading to maintain a tidy outline. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred, pointed-budded hybrid tea flowers, 40+ petals, large sized and mainly solitary on stems; remontant, giving an abundant second flush and further repeat flowering in good seasons. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid sun-yellow base with salmon-pink edges, changing from lemon-yellow with coral margin to cream-yellow and wider pink bands before gently fading; moderate colour retention, best definition in moderate sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, pleasantly sweet rose fragrance that is clearly noticeable at close range and present on cut stems; suitable for scented borders and cutting gardens where perfume is desired but not overpowering. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip formation limited due to very double flowers; occasionally bears small ovoid orange-red hips around 10–14 mm diameter, generally of ornamental rather than practical value for most garden settings. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3); resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, medium tolerance to rust, with moderate heat tolerance requiring watering in extended drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny positions as a border, specimen, scented feature or cut-flower source; medium maintenance, occasional pest control, spaced 55–100 cm depending on hedge, mass planting or single-specimen use. |
SUSAN MASSU® offers classically shaped, fragrant blooms on a tall, upright, long-lived own-root plant that settles in steadily for years of reliable garden presence and cut flowers, making it a thoughtful choice for enduring front-garden structure.
