Moonlight ® Klettermaxe® KORklemol – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted cutting
Climber production with Moonlight ® Klettermaxe® KORklemol offers nurseries a visually distinctive own-root base for trained vertical features, aligned to UK project-led rose ranges. This semi-double, large-flowered exhibition surface climber is supplied as tray-rooted pharmaROSA® NEONATAL propagation material, designed for onward training into 3–5-cane finished climbers in 5–7 L containers and beyond 40–50 litre statement planters. The remontant flowering pattern with abundant second flush supports continuous impact in retail and landscape assortments, while the hardy H7, USDA 5b profile supports reliable overwintering and planning even for northern and more exposed routes where winter and wind tolerance is important. Medium foliage density, glossy mid-green leaves and a strong, rich-fruity fragrance underline its exclusive, space-defining placement as a wall, pergola or arbour feature, particularly in thematic and collection plantings. Own-root form underpins long-term structural stability and regeneration capacity at production level, with Year 1 focused on root establishment, Year 2 on substantial climber shoot build-up, and Year 3 delivering the full ornamental value expected from a premium gold-rated cultivar.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- 5–7 L trained climber, 3–5 cane – Own-root NEONATAL material trained on stakes into 3–5 main canes with semi-double, large yellow blooms and strong fragrance; positioned as an exclusive, space-defining vertical garden feature for premium retail climber benches – target audience/channel: retail / reseller.
- 40–50 L statement terrace climber – Up-sized container specimen using the cultivar’s vigorous climber habit and award-backed exhibition profile, sold as a ready-to-place wall or pergola accent for project contractors – target audience/channel: project-focused nurseries and landscaper supply.
- Yellow exhibition climber collection – Series of uniform 5–7 L trained plants highlighting medals (Tokyo, Belfast, The Hague) and nuanced golden-yellow tonality in thematic or collectors’ lines – target audience/channel: specialist rose collections and mail-order catalogues.
- Fragrant arbour pair – Matched pair of trained Moonlight climbers with strong, rich-fruity scent for installation on arches or arbours, built from own-root stock for longevity and predictable regrowth – target audience/channel: fragrance-focused premium retail and show gardens.
- Hardy public-realm climber module – Production batch configured for pergolas, walls and entrances in public or institutional projects, using hardy, own-root stock beds to secure repeat supply and consistent habit – target audience/channel: public-realm suppliers and integrator systems.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose cultivar Moonlight ® Klettermaxe® with registered name KORklemol, American Rose Society approved exhibition name Moonlight®, belonging to the Klettermaxe® collection, commercial group climbing rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in Germany in 1995 by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne from (unknown seedling × ‘Lichtkönigin Lucia’) × unknown pollen, registered in 2006 and introduced commercially after 2006. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised at multiple international trials, including Tokyo Bronze Medal 2005, Belfast Gold Medal 2007 and The Hague International Rose Trials Bronze Certificate 2012, supporting its exhibition-focused positioning. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Large-flowered climber reaching around 2.0–3.2 m high with 0.7–1.2 m spread, medium-density, glossy mid-green foliage, moderate prickliness and a climbing habit suited to training on walls, pergolas and arbours. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, large blooms with 13–25 petals, cupped form and cluster-flowered inflorescences; remontant with an abundant second flowering, supporting extended decorative periods on trained vertical structures. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm golden-yellow base with copper sheen in buds, rich golden inner petals on opening, then lightening to pastel yellow with possible pinkish edging; outer petals paler lemon yellow around a golden-yellow centre. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Noted for a rich, fruity character with strong, long-lasting scent, giving significant fragrance impact on pergolas, arches and walls; semi-double blooms offer limited pollinator access and therefore only modest pollinator value. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip production is generally low due to flower form; where present, hips are small, spherical, orange-red and around 8–12 mm in diameter, with minimal influence on the overall ornamental performance of the climber. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately -26 to -23 °C, rated RHS H7 and Swedish Zone 4, with good heat tolerance though watering is needed in prolonged drought; disease resistance is medium, with some susceptibility to powdery mildew. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best used as a wall, pergola, rose arch or arbour climber; maintenance needs are moderate with deadheading advised, and plant protection recommended in very humid conditions, especially for mildew-sensitive sites. |
Moonlight ® Klettermaxe® KORklemol offers award-backed vertical impact, hardy own-root longevity and strong fragrance for predictable, long-lived climber production; we would welcome aligning capacities and scheduling with your nursery planning.
