Northwest Blooms · Roses
Rosa 'Dortmund'
Climbing Dortmund Rose
- Rose type
- Climbing
- Height
- 8 to 12 feet
- Bloom size
- Large (4–6 in)
- Flower color
- Cherry‑red with a white eye and yellow stamens
- Fragrance
- Mild
About this plant
Rosa 'Dortmund' is a climbing rose with cherry-red single blooms that feature a crisp white center and golden stamens. Flowers appear in clusters from late spring through fall, releasing a mild fragrance and attracting pollinators. Glossy dark green foliage covers the arching canes, and the plant often produces rose hips after flowering. Its repeat blooming and thorny stems create strong vertical structure along trellises, fences, or walls.
Bred by Wilhelm Kordes II in Germany and introduced in 1955, this hybrid Kordesii rose comes from a cross with Rosa kordesii. It received the ADR award in 1954 and later recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society. 'Dortmund' is appreciated for its seasonal reliability, strong health, and bold color that enhances traditional or modern garden designs.
Planting & care
Roses reward a sunny, open site with at least six hours of direct light, good air movement, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water deeply and less often, soaking the root zone while keeping the leaves dry, and mulch with two to three inches of compost or shredded bark held back from the canes. Feed repeat-blooming roses in early spring as growth starts and again after the first flush, then prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing canes and open the center. Climbers bloom best when the long main canes are tied out horizontally along their support.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Peninsula Park Rose Garden.
