HARLEKIN® – cream-white climbing rose - Kordes
Vertical presentation, feature value and a distinctive bicolour flower effect make Harlekin® KORlupo a compelling climber for nursery propagation beds and containerised, trained-climber programmes. As an own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL cutting, it offers predictable regeneration, long-term longevity in stock stands and reliable identity for collection plantings and private-label ranges. Professionally staked and pre-trained into 3–5 main canes in 5–7 L containers, it supports high-end, exclusive, space-defining vertical garden features for retail/reseller channels. With dense, glossy dark-green foliage, remontant flowering, strong wild-rose fragrance and very good colour-retention stability, it suits UK networks serving public and private thematic rose gardens where winter and wind tolerance suit exposed northern sites.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 5–7 L trained climber – Own-root NEONATAL plants grown into the recommended 3–5 cane, 5–7 L trained climber, highlighting vertical feature value and strong fragrance – retail / reseller premium climber bench.
- Arbour and arch twin-pack – Matched pairs of uniform plants for rose arches and arbours, using the reliable climbing height and dense foliage to create symmetrical vertical features – design-led independent garden centres.
- Hardy bicolour collection piece – Positioned as a hardy, H7-rated bicolour climber within thematic or collector lines, propagated on own roots for long-lived stock and clear identity – specialist rose nurseries and mail-order.
- Fragrant cut-and-climb concept – Trained climbers marketed for dual use as vertical accents and occasional ornamental cut flowers, leveraging remontant flowering and strong scent – niche floristry-linked retailers.
- Show-garden signature climber – Contract-grown batches for show gardens and public-realm demonstration sites, capitalising on stable bicolour display and predictable own-root regeneration – public-realm and project suppliers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Harlekin® Climbing rose KORlupo, large-flowered climber; ARS exhibition name Harlekin; registered cultivar name KORlupo; commercial climbing rose type within the Climbing rose group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes, W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany; introduced and registered in 1986, with parentage listed as unknown; distributed initially by W. Kordes’ Söhne for ornamental garden and exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised in competition at the Eastern New Mexico Rose Society Show in 1999, where it achieved Court of Show / Honour status, confirming exhibition potential for the Harlekin climbing form. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Climbing habit reaching around 220–380 cm high with 80–160 cm spread; dense, glossy, dark-green foliage; moderately thorny shoots; poor self-cleaning, requiring deadheading as spent blooms persist on the plant. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, 26–39 petalled cluster-flowered blooms with cup-shaped form; remontant with abundant second flush, providing extended decorative periods suitable for vertical display and cut-flower use. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Soft cream-white base with vivid pink edge; ARS PB, RHS 155D outer and 53C inner; colour holds very well, with minimal fading, retaining clear cream-white and pink contrast from bud through full bloom to ageing. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, distinctly scented rose with a pleasant wild-rose character; fragrance intensity supports high-impact placements near seating, paths or entrances where aromatic value complements the visual vertical feature. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally sparse; where present, small spherical red hips of approximately 6–10 mm diameter develop, giving limited ornamental fruit effect and minimal interference with primary floral display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, USDA zone 4b, Swedish zone 5, tolerating approximately −32 to −29 °C; moderate susceptibility to powdery mildew and black spot and very sensitive to rust, requiring regular, professional disease management. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used as a trained climber on pergolas, arbours, fences, walls and arches; suitable also for ornamental cut flowers; high maintenance due to disease sensitivity and poor self-cleaning, demanding continuous professional care. |
Harlekin® Climbing rose KORlupo offers a distinctive bicolour, strongly fragrant, hardy climbing presence on a predictable own-root base, supporting long-lived, regenerating vertical ranges; we invite you to discuss scheduling and capacity options.
