'Erlkönig' Rose

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'Erlkönig' rose Description

My HMF:

Photo courtesy of AmiRoses

Availability:

Commercially available

Synonyms:

• Roi des Aulnes
• Roi des Aunes

HMF Ratings:

7 favorite votes.

ARS:

Deep pink Shrub.

Origin:

Bred by Rudolf Geschwind (1829-1910) (Austria-Hungary (former), before 1884).

Class:

Hybrid Multiflora, Shrub.

Bloom:

Carmine-red - purple. Medium, double (17-25 petals), cluster-flowered, cupped-to-flat bloom form. Once-blooming spring or summer.

Habit:

Arching, armed with thorns / prickles, climbing. Dark green foliage.

Growing:

USDA zone 4b through 9b. Hardy. vigorous.

Patents:

Patent status unknown (to HelpMeFind).

Parentage:

seedling of De la Grifferaie

Notes:

"Erlkönig" is a ballad by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1782). Last strophe: "Dem Vater grauset's; er reitet geschwind..." (The father shudders, he rides swiftly)
The French synonym Roi des Aunes (or Aulnes) translates as King of the Alders (Erlen in German). The original ballad was in Danish and called "Ellerkonge" (King of the Elves). The translation in German to "Erlen" was erroneous.
According to Erich Unmuth, it is questionable whether 'Erlkönig' in gardens and in commerce is the original Geschwind rose - see References.