Aschermittwoch Climbing rose Kordes – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL
Climbing propagation material of Aschermittwoch offers a distinctive, silver‑grey colour palette and scented, semi‑double clusters suited to trained, space‑defining structures such as pergolas, walls and feature fences. As pharmaROSA® NEONATAL own‑root cuttings, plants are supplied staked and pre‑trained with 3–5 main canes, ready for efficient nursery bed establishment or 5–7 L container production targeting trained climber finished products for retail and project-led ranges. The dense, matt-foliaged habit, black-spot resistance and moderate hardiness simplify planning for UK nursery networks where reliable vertical accents are needed in climates that can be winter-exposed yet comparatively wind-tolerant, while the own-root base supports a natural development arc from root build-up in year one, stronger structural shoots in year two and full ornamental impact from year three.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 5–7 L trained climber retail line – NEONATAL own-root plants finished in 5–7 L pots with 3–5 canes tied to a stake, highlighting the tall climbing habit and distinctive colour for exclusive, space-defining retail climber ranges – target audience/channel: garden centre and nursery resellers
- Pergola duo-pack for project suppliers – matched pairs of pre-trained Aschermittwoch in 5–7 L for symmetrical pergola or arch installations, using the strong vertical growth and medium maintenance profile to support reliable project implementation – target audience/channel: public-realm and landscape project suppliers
- Large 40–50 L specimen climber – further-grown NEONATAL material trained into a defined framework in 40–50 L containers for immediate on-site impact, leveraging height and dense foliage for signature vertical pieces – target audience/channel: landscape contractors and design-build nurseries
- Collector’s exhibition climber series – own-root plants selected for uniform colour and structure, grown on as trained climbers for thematic or historic Kordes collections, capitalising on the unusual ash-grey lilac bloom tone – target audience/channel: specialist rose nurseries and collection gardens
- Vertical feature mix for premium assortments – integrating Aschermittwoch with other climbers as part of a curated premium vertical feature mix, using its distinctive colour and fragrance to anchor “exclusive, space-defining” offers – target audience/channel: high-end retail and mail-order assortments
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Aschermittwoch is a large-flowered climbing rose marketed as Aschermittwoch Climbing rose Kordes, with American Rose Society exhibition name Aschermittwoch and no separate registered cultivar name. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from Rosa rubiginosa-hybrid × ‘Ballet’ and Rosa rubiginosa-hybrid × ‘Fashion’; introduced by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 1955 as an unregistered cultivar. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Climbing habit reaching approximately 3.6–5.4 m in height with 1.8–3 m spread, dense matt green foliage and densely thorned shoots; weak self-cleaning so spent flowers often remain and need removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped flowers with 13–25 petals, large size around 2.75–3.95 inches, produced mainly in clusters; remontant with a second flowering that is present but less abundant than the first flush. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Flowers show a greyish-white base with delicate lilac sheen and cool smoky tone; buds silvery greyish lilac, colour holding better in cool weather but fading in strong sun and heat, with ARS code m and RHS 155C outer, 183D inner. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, clearly perceptible fragrance with a soft, delicate character; semi-double form provides moderate pollinator attraction due to only partial accessibility of stamens and limited nectar and pollen exposure. |
| Hip characteristics |
Spherical orange hips 14–22 mm in diameter may form but are not abundant because of the semi-double flowers, adding limited but present seasonal interest without dominating the ornamental effect. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Moderate general disease resistance, with good black spot resistance but only moderate tolerance to powdery mildew and rust; hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C, RHS H7, corresponding to Swedish zone 3 and USDA zone 6b. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used as a pergola, fence, wall or specimen climber and for some cutting; medium maintenance with occasional plant protection required, and benefits from irrigation in prolonged heat due to only moderate drought tolerance. |
Aschermittwoch Climbing rose Kordes combines tall structural growth, distinctive silver-grey flowering and own-root longevity for predictable, regenerating vertical features; we would be pleased to discuss volumes, timing and integration into your climber range.
