KISS ME KATE® – pink climbing rose – Kordes
Imagine coming back from the beach to enjoy afternoon tea in a sheltered corner, the air filled with a fruity and citrus perfume from generous clusters of mid-pink rosette blooms. KISS ME KATE® is a reliable, exhibition-quality climbing rose bred by Kordes, designed to flourish in typical British family gardens with minimal fuss. Its healthy, dark green foliage and repeat flowering habit create a long season of colour on arches, fences and verandas, while its own-root form promises a calm, stable performance over many years. In exposed plots it copes reassuringly well with brisk coastal breezes and rain, provided the roots enjoy reasonable drainage and firm anchoring in the soil. Over time the plant knits itself securely into its support, the remontant flowering becoming richer as it matures. Think of it as a steady companion: in year one it concentrates on roots, year two on building strong shoots, and by year three you can expect full ornamental impact with an enveloping, garden-filling fragrance. Well suited to medium-sized plots and practical training against walls or trellis, it offers abundant, long-stemmed blooms ideal for relaxed indoor arrangements, bringing a touch of romance to your coastal or cottage-style retreat, yet remaining reassuringly low-maintenance for busy gardeners.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda windbreak |
Trained along balustrades or a light trellis, this climber builds a leafy screen that softens wind and salt-tinged air, creating a snug corner for chairs and a small table. Works well where you have regular breezes and rain sweeping in from the sea for coastal-style lovers. |
| Small arch over shingle path |
Its 2–3 m height and repeat-flowering habit make it ideal for compact arches, giving cascading pink rosette blooms over a shingle or gravel path without overwhelming the space. In a 1–3 year window it will transform a simple entry into a romantic focal point for hobby gardeners. |
| Sunny fence in a family garden |
Along a 4–6 m run of fencing, spaced sensibly, the dense foliage and continuous flowers form a colourful, long-lived boundary that needs little more than tying in and the odd tidy. It suits those wanting dependable structure without high-effort pruning for busy homeowners. |
| Feature wall near seating area |
Placed by a terrace or bench, the very strong, citrus-and-apple scent carries on still evenings, turning everyday moments into small rituals. The climbing habit allows vertical interest without taking valuable floor space, perfect for compact patios for scent-loving beginners. |
| Large container on sheltered balcony |
In a sturdy 40–50 litre container with good drainage, this rose can be trained up a slim obelisk or railings, providing height, colour and perfume where borders are impossible; its own-root nature gives reassuring resilience and recovery after any weather setbacks for urban veranda owners. |
| Low-intervention cottage-style border |
Used at the back of a mixed border, it offers long-season flower display with high disease resistance, so routine spraying is usually unnecessary. With basic feeding and watering, it keeps its glossy foliage and bloom quality with very modest effort for time-poor gardeners. |
| Cut-flower corner by the back door |
Near the house, it provides a steady supply of long-stemmed, exhibition-quality blooms for vases, combining strong fragrance and romantic cupped form. Being own-root, it reshoots well if you cut hard, maintaining productivity over many seasons for home floristry enthusiasts. |
| Weather-resilient pergola in windy gardens |
Trained over a small pergola, its flexible climbing growth and firm rooting, once established, cope well with exposed, rain-lashed positions where sturdy anchoring and drainage matter more than pampering. After initial tying-in, care is straightforward for coastal-region beginners. |
Styling ideas
- Seaside-Tea-Nook – Train KISS ME KATE® along a veranda railing with a bistro set beneath, underplanted with Festuca and sea kale to echo coastal colours – perfect for coastal veranda owners wanting a soft, wind-filtering screen.
- Romantic-Archway – Create a pink, scented tunnel over a narrow path using a compact arch and light foxglove planting at the base – ideal for small-family gardens seeking maximum impact in minimal space.
- Balcony-Showpiece – Plant in a 50 litre pot with free-draining compost and a slim obelisk, adding low lavender around the rim – suited to urban dwellers chasing a cottage feel on a sheltered balcony.
- Cottage-Fence-Run – Space plants along a sunny fence, weaving stems between wires, with airy grasses at the foot – good for homeowners wanting a traditional look without complex rose care.
- Scented-Cut-Garden – Position near the back door with generous spacing for easy access to stems, and mix with airy perennials – for beginners who dream of filling jugs with home-grown, perfumed blooms.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Climbing large-flowered rose, registered as KORnagelio; marketed as Kiss Me Kate® / Klettermaxe®. ARS exhibition name Kiss Me Kate; premium gold quality, own-root in 2-litre containers. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm-Alexander Kordes (W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany). Parentage: ‘DELeri’ (Nahéma) × (‘KORgosumu’ = Gelber Engel × ‘KORvanaber’ = Lions-Rose). Registered 2019; introduced after 2019. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated fragrance and garden rose: multiple medals including Kortrijk Fragrance and Gold (2016), Tokyo Silver (2016), La Tacita First Prize (2017), Lyon Jury Special Prize (2017), Glasgow Gold (2020). |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climber reaching around 2.0–3.3 m high, 0.9–1.6 m spread. Moderately thorny, with dense, dark green glossy foliage. Requires support such as a fence, wall, arch or pergola and regular tying-in. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double rosette blooms, usually in clusters, with 40+ petals and large flower size. Remontant, with a particularly abundant second flush. Flowers may need light deadheading as spent blooms are not strongly self-cleaning. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform medium-bright pink; buds deep pink, opening pure pink with slightly darker outer band. Colour gradually fades to paler pink, faster in hot sun, slower and richer in cool conditions, giving a soft, romantic effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume with a notable citrus and apple character. Scent is prominent around seating areas and entrances. Highly rated in fragrance trials and suitable for those prioritising aromatic impact outdoors and in vases. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to very double flowers, hip set is typically sparse; any hips formed are small, up to about 4 mm, and of limited ornamental interest, so the plant is grown almost exclusively for its blooms and scent. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Excellent disease resistance, rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust. Winter hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (H7; USDA 5b), suiting most UK regions, including colder inland and northern gardens. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with reasonable drainage and regular watering in dry spells. Low maintenance: tie in new shoots, prune to shape and deadhead. Plant 1.4–2.25 m apart; own-root plants establish steadily and give long service. |
KISS ME KATE® brings richly scented, repeat pink blooms on a healthy, long-lived climber whose own-root vigour supports years of reliable growth and renewal; a thoughtful option if you want lasting romance with manageable care.
