The Magnificent Dortmund Rose: A Garden Marvel

The Dortmund rose, a prized hybrid developed by Kordes, is celebrated by gardeners for its prolific blooming and minimal care requirements. This climbing rose showcases vibrant crimson flowers, each with a distinctive white eye and golden stamens. Introduced in 1955, this rose remains a favorite for its striking beauty and robustness.

 Characteristics of Dortmund Rose

• Name: Dortmund
• Type: Climbing Rose
• Color: Crimson with a white eye and golden stamens
• Fragrance: Light
• Bloom Size: 8-9 cm in diameter
• Petal Count: Non-double, wavy petals
• Bloom Form: Large, single flowers in clusters
• Bloom Frequency: Frequent throughout the growing season
• Height: 250-300 cm (in cold climates), up to 10 meters (in warmer regions)
• Width: 2.5-3 meters
• Foliage: Small, glossy, dark green leaves
• Thorns: Very thorny stems
• USDA Zones: Zone 4 and warmer
• Ideal For: Shrub growth, climbing support
• Breeder: W. Kordes’ Söhne

A Visual Delight in the Garden

The Dortmund rose is renowned for its large, eye-catching crimson blooms, which feature a unique white eye at the center encircling a cluster of bright yellow stamens. With slightly wavy petals, each flower reaches 8-9 cm in diameter, making a bold statement in any garden. The bushy, upright shrub grows up to 3 meters wide and can spread equally wide, providing a lush and vibrant display.

Blooming Wonders

This rose offers an impressive display of blooms starting in late spring, followed by repeat waves throughout the season. Regular deadheading after the first bloom is essential to encourage more flowers later, although it can be time-consuming due to the thorny stems. Despite this, the effort is well worth it for the continuous burst of color.

Hardy and Disease-Resistant

One of the Dortmund rose’s standout features is its hardiness. Suitable for USDA Zone 4 and above, it withstands cold climates and flourishes in various environments. The rose’s small, glossy, dark green leaves add to its aesthetic appeal and exhibit excellent resistance to common rose diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.

Versatile Growth Habits

While this rose is often planted as a climbing rose, it can also be grown as a shrub if space allows. It reaches 250-300 cm when supported in colder climates, while in warmer regions, it can grow to an impressive 10 meters. This versatility makes it ideal for various garden settings, including walls, fences, arches, and obelisks.

Minimal Care for Maximum Beauty

To keep the rose looking its best, regular pruning is required. Remove old canes and any dead or diseased wood during spring pruning. In warmer climates, cut back the remaining canes by about one-third, while more extensive pruning may be necessary in colder areas. Planting a low, bushy plant at the base can help hide the “bare feet” of the rose, enhancing its overall appearance.

The Dortmund rose, with its vibrant crimson blooms and distinctive white eye, is a garden favorite for many reasons. Its prolific blooming, minimal care requirements, and versatility in growth habits make it an excellent choice for novice and experienced gardeners.