KISS ME KATE® – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL own-root propagation material
Climbing KISS ME KATE® delivers an exclusive, space‑defining vertical feature for pergolas, arches and walls, backed by the predictable performance of tray‑grown, 3–6‑month NEONATAL own‑root material optimised for trained climber production in 5–7 L containers, with further up‑potting to 40–50 L where a fully structural landscape element is required. Its dense, dark green foliage, premium commercial presentation and low‑intervention, resistant health profile support homogeneous nursery blocks and reliable scheduling in UK‑wide supply chains, including routes that face regular winter and wind pressure across Scotland and northern England in public‑realm and institutional schemes. Very strong, garden‑filling fragrance and rosette‑shaped, very double flowers support exhibition‑grade and cut‑flower positioning, while own‑root longevity and regeneration provide a stable propagation base as year one focuses on rooting, year two on structural canes, and year three on full ornamental display.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 5–7 L trained climber – NEONATAL own‑root plants staked and trained with 3–5 canes, emphasising height, fragrance and colour for pergolas and arches – targeted at premium retail/reseller climber benches.
- 40–50 L structural pergola unit – further‑grown trained climbers in large containers for instant vertical impact and low‑intervention public‑realm use – targeted at landscape contractors and municipal specifiers.
- Fragrance collection duo – grouped with other strongly scented cultivars as a labelled fragrance line, using uniform NEONATAL propagation for consistent blocks – targeted at thematic rose gardens and specialist nurseries.
- Exhibition and cut‑flower climber block – lines selected for bloom form and stem quality from uniform own‑root stock, sold as a dedicated exhibition/cut‑flower climber option – targeted at show growers and cut‑flower producers.
- Wall and fence screening kit – bundled trained climbers with guidance for pergola, wall and fence applications, leveraging disease resistance and dense foliage for reliable coverage – targeted at integrator systems and chain retailers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose KORnagelio, marketed as KISS ME KATE® / Klettermaxe®, exhibition category climbing rose and cut flower, registered 2019 with US Plant Patent PP 30 810, ARS name Kiss Me Kate. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm‑Alexander Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne Rosenschulen GmbH & Co KG from ‘DELeri’ (Nahéma) × (‘KORgosumu’ × ‘KORvanaber’), introduced commercially by W. Kordes’ Söhne after 2019. |
| Awards and recognition |
Multiple international awards: Kortrijk Fragrance Award and Gold Medal 2016, Tokyo Silver Medal 2016, Le Roeulx Fragrance Award 2017, La Tacita First Prize 2017, Lyon Jury Special Prize 2017, Glasgow Gold Medal 2020, further distinctions noted. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Climbing habit with 200–330 cm height and 90–160 cm spread, dense dark green glossy foliage (RHS 147A), moderate prickliness, weak self‑cleaning so spent blooms may persist and require periodic manual removal in production. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals, cluster‑flowered on stems, remontant with abundant second flush, classified as climber / large‑flowered climber suitable for both vertical structures and cut‑flower production. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Medium‑bright pink overall; buds deep pink, newly opened flowers pure pink with darker outer band, full bloom mid‑pink (RHS 64B outer, 62C inner), fading to pale pink with silvery sheen, colour retention moderate and faster fading in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden‑filling scent with citrus and apple notes, recognised in fragrance awards; highly ornamental with stamens enclosed by very double petals, offering limited pollinator value and primarily decorative sensory impact. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose‑hip formation expected to be low because of very double flowers; any hips produced are small, typically 0–4 mm in diameter, with no significant ornamental or production value in fruit display or harvest. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 4, USDA 5b), performs well in warmth but needs regular watering in persistent drought, suited to robust landscape use. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Recommended for pergolas, arches, fences, walls and cut‑flower use; low maintenance requirement, generally little intervention; best marketed as trained climber finished product in 5–7 L, supplied staked with 3–5 main canes from own‑root NEONATAL material. |
KISS ME KATE® gives professional growers a fragrant, award‑winning climbing rose with strong disease resistance and reliable winter hardiness on long‑lived own roots, supporting predictable vertical production programmes; we invite you to discuss volumes and timing.
