Kordesii rose (Rosa DORTMUND)
Rosa DORTMUND is a vigorous Kordesii rose known for its scarlet blooms, excellent disease resistance, and climbing habit.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Rosa DORTMUND, a notable Kordesii rose, offers gardeners a robust and reliably blooming specimen, often reaching imposing heights perfect for vertical display. Valued for its copious flower production that lasts from late spring until the first frost, this rose brings striking color to the garden structure. As a Kordesii rose, Rosa DORTMUND demonstrates better inherent disease resistance compared to many older cultivars, making maintenance slightly streamlined.
This deciduous shrub variety typically grows between 6 to 10 feet tall. It presents profuse clusters of fragrant, crimson-red single flowers, each beautifully marked with a distinct white eye, ensuring it remains a focal point throughout the season.
For optimal performance, the Rosa DORTMUND thrives when located where it receives abundant sunlight, which helps maximize both flowering and its inherent protective qualities against foliar diseases. Gardeners should plan for its vertical ascension, treating it as a pillar or climbing rose.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-10 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Scarlet with white eyes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The Rosa DORTMUND establishes best when planted in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams. Planting during the dormant season, late winter or early spring, is ideal, ensuring the soil has time to settle around the roots before bud break. While it can tolerate very light shade, achieving the best flowering display and strongest disease resistance requires full sun exposure.
Water requirements are classified as medium; provide deep and regular watering, preferably in the mornings, and make an effort to avoid wetting the foliage overhead. Good air circulation is vital for this Kordesii rose; proper spacing prevents damp conditions that encourage foliar issues. Apply a summer mulch layer to conserve soil moisture, cool the roots, and suppress competitive weeds.
Deadheading spent flowers consistently encourages the Rosa DORTMUND to continue setting new blooms throughout the summer and into the fall. In colder extremities, particularly Zone 5 areas, protect the crowns with heavy mulch or wrapping before the deep freeze sets in. Pruning should be performed only as needed in late winter or early spring; resist the urge to prune heavily for the first two years to allow the important climbing canes to fully develop.
Landscape Uses
As a vigorous climber, Rosa DORTMUND excels when given substantial vertical support. It is perfectly suited for cladding walls, training up arbors, covering trellises, or wrapping around sturdy pillars, making it an excellent choice for adding height and drama to back borders. Though often utilized vertically, this versatile plant can also be successfully managed as a large, free-standing shrub, offering structure where vertical support isn’t available.
Pairing this vibrant scarlet Kordesii rose with contrasting foliage, such as silvery lamb’s ears or deep purple Clematis, can dramatically enhance its visual impact. Consider planting it near pathways or seating areas where its fragrant clusters can be easily appreciated during the blooming season. When massed along a fence line, the repeating pattern of the flowers creates a stunning, resilient screen.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
The Rosa DORTMUND, a specific Kordesii rose, is noted for its ability to climb to 8-10 feet or be managed as a substantial 4-6 foot shrub. It produces masses of fragrant, crimson-red, single flowers (up to 3 inches wide) accented by noticeable white eyes, blooming continuously from late spring until frost. This variety features glossy, dark green foliage that contrasts beautifully with the bright blooms, eventually developing attractive orange hips.
Tolerances
This information is not explicitly provided in the source data.
Potential Problems
While roses, in general, are susceptible to numerous issues including black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, the Rosa DORTMUND benefits from the inherent strength of its Kordesii heritage. The manufacturer notes that ‘Dortmund’ exhibits excellent resistance to many common foliar diseases. Cultural practices remain the first line of defense; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to maintain dry leaves. Potential insect pests may include aphids or spider mites, requiring monitoring. Proactive sanitation—removing and destroying diseased or dead leaf debris during the growing season and winter cleanup—is crucial for disease management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kordesii rose suitable for?
The Rosa DORTMUND is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, though winter crown protection is recommended in the colder end of this range.
How large does Rosa DORTMUND grow?
When grown as a climber, this Kordesii rose typically reaches heights between 6 to 10 feet, maintaining a spread of 4 to 6 feet.
What sun exposure does Rosa DORTMUND need?
For the best flowering performance and disease resistance, full sun exposure is strongly recommended for planting the Rosa DORTMUND.
When does Rosa DORTMUND bloom?
This bloom cycle extends from May all the way through to the first frost, offering scarlet flowers with distinct white eyes.
Conclusion
The Rosa DORTMUND is an invaluable addition to the landscape, recognized for its longevity, strong fragrance, and striking scarlet-and-white blooms borne on a resilient, climbing structure. Choosing this specific Kordesii rose ensures a beautiful vertical display with manageable maintenance requirements. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 5-9 and prepare a location receiving full, unobstructed sunlight.
Companion Planting
Choosing suitable partners for Rosa DORTMUND helps optimize the microclimate and visual appeal of your rose display. Companion plants that prefer similar soil conditions (well-drained loam) and do not compete heavily for root space are ideal. Consider low-growing perennials like Catmint (Nepeta) or ornamental salvias which offer textural contrast without crowding the base of the rose, allowing for airflow around the canes.
Flowering companions can extend the season of interest below the summer-long display of the Kordesii rose. Lavender is an excellent choice as its silvery foliage complements the dark green leaves of Rosa DORTMUND beautifully, and both thrive in sunny, well-drained spots. Remember to leave adequate space for air movement around the base of the climber to further mitigate potential foliar issues.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring cleanup, occurring in late winter to very early spring, is the primary time for pruning the Rosa DORTMUND. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing canes to shape the plant and encourage strong new growth. As the growing season progresses, focus on consistent watering, especially during dry spells, ensuring water reaches the root zone deeply.
Summer maintenance centers on encouraging rebloom and preventing disease. Deadhead faded flowers regularly to promote the next flush of blooms from this reliable Kordesii rose. Continue monitoring the foliage for early signs of pests or mildew, addressing issues promptly through targeted, cultural, or chemical controls as needed.
As autumn approaches, focus shifts to preparation for winter protection in cooler zones. After dormancy sets in, ensure you conduct a thorough cleanup, removing all fallen leaves from around the base of the Rosa DORTMUND to deny overwintering fungal spores a habitat. Top-dress the crown area with mulch after the ground freezes.
