JOSEPH'S COAT – yellow-red climbing rose - Armstrong & Swim
Climbing own-root propagation material of Joseph's Coat offers a visually striking large-flowered remontant climber for trained-finish routes where vertical, space-defining specimen roses underpin premium retail and reseller assortments. The medium-vigour, glossy-foliaged plants lend themselves to pergola, fence and wall-trained production in 5–7 L containers, with staked, 3–5 cane structures pre-formed for efficient dispatch. Its exclusive, habit-led profile aligns well with thematic and show-garden ranges, supporting private-label concepts and collection blocks. As an own-root base, it provides predictable regeneration and low replacement over time, valuable in UK nursery networks exposed to colder, windier sites where winter hardiness is a priority. Developed for professional propagation, pharmaROSA® NEONATAL cuttings allow You to schedule capacity so that Year 1 focuses on rooting, Year 2 on structural shoots, and Year 3 on full ornamental impact, easing planning for nationwide, project-oriented supply and wholesale partners while maintaining cultivar identity and stock stability.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 5–7 L Trained Pergola Climber – Own-root, 3–5 cane plants in 5–7 L pots, trained for pergola use and promoted for vertical garden feature programmes – retail/reseller and landscape channels.
- Wall-Trained Feature Rose – Medium-maintenance, glossy-foliaged climbers supplied staked for fences and house walls as exclusive, space-defining items – premium garden-centre partners.
- Collection-Series Climber Block – Uniform own-root lots for thematic and show-garden collections, banking the colour-shifting yellow–orange–red display for long-term mother stands – specialist collection nurseries.
- Cold-Zone Vertical Accent – Hardy H7, own-root climbers configured as trained features for colder or exposed locations, providing reliable vertical structure – municipal and institutional project suppliers.
- Dual-Use Climber and Cut Stem – Trained climber units designed for pergolas yet capable of light cut-stem side production from clustered, medium blooms – integrated nursery/retail production systems.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Large-Flowered Climber marketed as Joseph's Coat, an exhibition-category climbing rose supplied commercially as a climber / rambling rose type; registered cultivar name not provided. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in the United States in 1963 by Dr. David L. Armstrong and Herbert C. Swim from the cross 'Buccaneer' × 'Circus', introduced and initially distributed by Armstrong Roses in 1964. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised with a National Rose Society Trial Ground Certificate in 1963 and a Gold Medal at Bagatelle, Paris in 1964, supporting its status as a notable, widely trialled climbing cultivar. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Climbing habit with height around 240–400 cm and spread 100–180 cm, densely thorned canes and moderately dense, glossy dark green foliage, giving good vertical coverage on supports and structures. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, cup-shaped flowers with 26–39 petals, carried mainly in clusters; remontant with a notably abundant second flowering, providing extended decorative value on trained plants. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Petals shift from vivid yellow, orange and carmine red to peach-golden-copper tones as blooms age; ARS code rb, RHS 46A outer, 14B inner, giving a continuously changing, multicoloured effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, fresh and crisp fragrance character, primarily ornamental in effect; double flowers with 26–39 petals limit stamen access, so pollinator attraction and pollinator-friendliness are relatively modest. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally produces small, spherical orange-red hips around 8–13 mm in diameter, adding discrete seasonal interest, though hip set is not a dominant ornamental or production feature. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to about -32 to -29 °C, rated RHS H7, Swedish Zone 5, USDA Zone 4b, suitable for colder regions with standard protection and care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used as a pergola, fence or wall-trained specimen and for cut stems; moderate maintenance with occasional plant protection, ideally supplied as staked, trained 3–5 cane finished climbers. |
JOSEPH'S COAT – yellow-red climbing rose - Armstrong & Swim offers colour-shifting remontant displays, strong vertical structure and predictable, regenerative own-root performance; please contact us to align on volumes, scheduling and long-term stock planning.