What is in a name? Many times, not much! The rather cumbersome name of this rose would not give you the slightest indication of its beauty or vigor. There is nothing stingy about the bloom display on this superb, no fuss shrub rose. The class of shrub roses was created by the American Rose Society and includes hardy, easy care bushy roses that do not fit any other category. This rose is a prime example of the shrub class. The ARS rating of 8.9 is additional testimony to the virtues of this rose.
‘Gartendirecktor Otto Linne’ produces pointed, pink buds that open to small, double carmine-pink rosettes with a darker edge, and a touch of yellow white at the base. The clusters of 30 blooms are held on long, strong stems that are nearly thornless. It has excellent disease resistance and is incredibly prolific in its bloom. The handsome leathery green leaves provide a wonderful framework for the constant production of big sprays of deep pink pom poms; a little like a double flowered version of ‘Ballerina’.
‘Gartendirecktor Otto Linne‘ was named after the first director of gardens and cemeteries in Germany. It was created by Peter Lambert and introduced in 1934. Lambert was a turn of the century German hybridizer and created ‘Frau Karl Druschki’ in 1900 and raised a series of shrub roses called ‘Lambertianas’ and ‘Trier’ which is an ancestor of most of the hybrid musks.
This rose grows to about five feet tall and four feet wide in a pleasing fountain shape, though in our climate it can also be trained as a climber, with canes to ten feet. I have it planted between two trellises with a white flowered clematis on one side and a blue flowered variety on the other growing through the rose. It is a wonderful rose to add to your garden- and, oh yes, it also looks great as a filler in bouquets!
By Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian
Edited for the website by N Londeree, October 2021