Dark Desire has some of the darkest buds you’ll find on a rose. They are nearly black and open into full, violet-red to purple-red blooms with a fuchsia-pink centre, 8–10 cm across. The fragrance is very strong, and Kordes describes notes of lemon, rose geranium, peach, plum and honey, strongest at midday and in the evening. Bred by Kordes in Germany and introduced in 2012 as part of their Parfuma® collection, it earned the German ADR certificate in 2014. ADR is awarded only after years of trials without spraying. Kordes rates it highly resistant to blackspot and mildew, and very winter-hardy. It grows into an upright hybrid tea of about 100–120 cm and repeats through the season. The long stems make it good for cutting. Plant it in full sun. It is hardy to zone 5, and cover the graft over winter in the colder parts of Canada. In Europe it is sold as Gräfin Diana, named for Countess Diana Bernadotte.

A near-black-budded, strongly fragrant rose for anyone who wants deep colour and scent together.