FLAME DANCE – red climbing rose - Kordes – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL
Climbing own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material for Flame Dance KORflata gives professional growers a reliable base for trained 5–7 L vertical features, with staked 3–5-cane structure already defined for pergolas, fences and arches; the vivid colour, semi-double cluster-flowered heads and medium-sized blooms support a strong, space-defining presence that fits exclusive, specialty climber ranges in UK nursery and reseller channels, while the dense foliage and vigorous 240–400 cm framework help build an impactful wall or park accent even under colder conditions, with winter performance aligned to exposed Scottish and northern English schemes; own-root production supports long-term longevity, regenerative capacity and low replacement rates in collection plantings and public-realm projects, with a practical development arc where roots establish in year one, framework and flowering build in year two, and full ornamental expression appears from year three, giving nurseries predictable planning towards exclusive vertical-garden ranges and curated collections.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 5–7 L trained climber “Flame Dance” line – pre-trained 3–5 cane own-root climbers in 5–7 L pots, emphasising vivid deep red colour and vertical-garden habit; positioned as exclusive, space-defining SKUs for climber benches – target audience/channel: retail / reseller.
- 40–50 L pergola and arch feature units – upscale selected trained plants into 40–50 L containers to create ready-to-install pergola and arch elements featuring dense foliage and strong climbing vigour; designed as signature vertical accents – target audience/channel: public‑realm suppliers and landscape contractors.
- Red collection climber for show gardens – integrate Flame Dance into curated red-rose and climber collections, using uniform own-root NEONATAL starts to secure identity and predictable framework development; supply as 5–7 L trained material – target audience/channel: thematic rose gardens and collection-based nurseries.
- Pollinator-friendly climber mix – assemble a climber assortment featuring semi-double, accessible blooms, leveraging Flame Dance’s exposed stamens and medium fragrance within managed spray programmes; supply as labelled 5–7 L trained plants – target audience/channel: municipal and institutional project suppliers.
- Premium vertical “flame red” signature range – create a branded premium bronze-level range built around the cultivar’s rich red tonality and strong vertical habit, using own-root trained climbers to ensure longevity and stable stands – target audience/channel: premium garden centres and integrated nursery groups.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid Rubiginosa large-flowered climber registered as KORflata, marketed as Flame Dance Climbing rose KORflata, with ARS exhibition name Flammentanz; unregistered as a formal cultivar despite long commercial use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm J. H. Kordes II. at W. Kordes’ Söhne in Germany from Rosa eglanteria L × Rosa kordesii H Wulff; breeding dated 1965, with first market introduction by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 1955. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holds ADR recognition dated 1952, indicating historical acknowledgement in German rose trials; remains valued internationally as a classic red climbing cultivar within professional and collection-focused assortments. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong climbing habit reaching 240–400 cm in height with 100–200 cm spread; densely thorned shoots and dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage support a robust vertical framework for walls, pergolas and arches. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped medium flowers (approximately 1.5–2.75 in) in clusters, with 13–25 petals; remontant flowering pattern where the main flush is followed by a lighter repeat, giving seasonal but not continuous display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid red bloom colour with RHS 53A outer and 53B inner petal tones; opens scarlet, deepens to dark cherry red with a slight black-tinged veil, holding an intense, slightly velvety appearance with moderate long-term colour retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, pleasantly spicy-sweet fragrance profile; semi-double form with accessible stamens enhances pollinator interest, while scent adds value in close-contact locations such as arches, entrances, seating areas and paths. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rosehip formation is generally low; where present, hips are egg-shaped, orange-red and approximately 18–26 mm in diameter, contributing minor seasonal interest without significantly affecting overall ornamental performance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Classified as H7 with USDA Zone 5a and Swedish Zone 4 tolerance; good heat tolerance but requires irrigation in prolonged drought; disease profile sensitive overall, particularly to black spot, requiring regular plant protection measures. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used as a climbing feature on pergolas, fences, walls, arches and in parks; suitable for cut flowers; higher maintenance due to disease sensitivity, so integrate defined spray programmes and trained climber production in 5–7 L containers. |
Flame Dance Climbing rose KORflata offers vigorous vertical growth, vivid red flowering and long-lived, predictable own-root stands that support stable, low-replacement climber lines; we would welcome aligning on propagation volumes and delivery windows with you.
