Code (denomination) = KOR
A number code is also used. e.g. = KO 03/1115-04
KORDES, Wilhelm I (December 10, 1865 Elmshorn - August 20, 1935)
KORDES, Wilhelm II (1891 - 1976), breeder
KORDES, Hermann II (1893 - 1963), second son of Wilhelm Kordes I, breeder
KORDES, Reimer (1922 - 1997), son of Wilhelm Kordes II, breeder
KORDES, Werner (1923 - 2003), son of Herman Kordes II
KORDES, Wilhelm III (1953 - 2016), son of Reimer, breeder
KORDES, Tim Hermann (b. 1965), son of Hermann Kordes II, breeder
PROLL, Thomas (b. 1967) hybridizer for Kordes & Sons
KORDES, Wilhelm-Alexander (b. 1985)
Sparrieshoop
Holstein, Germany
In the American Rose Annual 1977 (pp. 121-122), there's a memorial to Wilhelm Kordes, "the grand old man of rose breeding" -- (He lived from March 30, 1891 to November 8, 1976.)
KORDES Sohne
[From The Ultimate Rose Book, by Stirling Macoboy, p. 184:] About fifty years ago, Wilhelm Kordes created a series of roses from forms of Rosa pimpinellifolia and various Large-flowered Roses, giving them names celebrating the spring (fruhling) -- and appropriately too, as they are all very early in their flowering.
[From, Botanica's Roses, p. 213:] Wilhelm Kordes II (1891-1976)... Dr. A.S. Thomas of Australia has said of Kordes that he was 'possibly the greatest rose man of all time.'
[From The Makers of Heavenly Roses, by Jack Harkness, P. 98 Wilhelm Kordes] in 1887...started a nursery in Elmshorn.
[p. 101:] serious rose breeding started in Sparrieshoop in 1920 [with Wilhelm II returning to his earlier idea of trying to achieve a] red 'Caroline Testout'... On studying the descendants of Caroline, he thought he detected the entry he wanted in a pink rose called 'Superb', introduced by Evans of Brighton in 1924. He crossed 'Superb' with 'Sensation', a red rose introduced in 1922 by Joseph H. Hill Co. of Richmond, Indiana. Most of the seedlings were pink, but one was ruby red, giving him the break he had sought. He named it 'Cathrine Kordes' and introduced it in 1929...
[From Roses: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia and Grower's Handbook, by Peter Beales, p. 36: Wilhelm Kordes] is best known for his hardy, shrubby varieties developed from R. kordesii and for his foundation work in extending the colour range of modern roses through 'Independence' (1951)... whose issue brought forth a multitude of vivid flame and orange colours.
[From Value for Money, by Lt. Col. Ken Grapes, p. 114:] W. Kordes Söhne has made a name as one of the greatest rose breeders, successful in trials all over the world, and most recently, the 'Queen Mother International Rose Award' was presented to Wilhelm Kordes
[From The Encyclopedia of Roses, by Robert Markley, p. 19:] On October 1, 1887, Wilhelm Kordes I founded a "horticultural mursery and market garden," which after very few years concentrated on the breeding of roses. His eldest son, Wilhelm Kordes II, with his brother, Hermann Kordes II, led the firm to world fame as Wilhelm Kordes' Sons.
