ANTIKE 89™ – red-white climbing rose - Kordes
Bring Antike charm to a compact London front garden with this easy-care climbing rose, bred for reliable structure and long-term impact on walls, fences and arches. Its large, very full blooms open in nostalgic cups of red and cream, staying vivid and tidy with moderate self-cleaning, so there is little to do beyond occasional deadheading and guiding stems. As an own-root plant, it steadily builds resilience and can regenerate well after pruning or weather damage, supporting a long, stable display over many seasons. In typical British conditions it copes well with wet, breezy spells and heavier soils, making it a reassuring choice where drainage and exposure are a concern. Expect a natural progression – stronger roots in year one, taller shoots in year two, and full ornamental presence by year three – ideal for busy owners seeking sustainable balance and low-fuss vertical greening.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front-garden arch or pergola |
The rose’s strong climbing growth and dense foliage quickly clothe an arch or small pergola, creating privacy and a sense of arrival with nostalgic, exhibition-quality flowers in summer. A steady choice for busy homeowners |
| Wall or fence greening |
With a height of around 2.25–3.75 m and glossy, dark leaves, it transforms bare brick or fencing into a long-season vertical feature, softening hard boundaries while remaining manageable to tie in and prune. A practical option for urban gardeners |
| Rainwater-conscious city front garden |
Suited to British wet spells and heavier ground, it handles exposed, rain-swept sites where careful drainage avoids waterlogging, fitting neatly into sustainable, low-lawn, rainwater-friendly designs. Ideal for environmentally minded townhouse owners |
| Statement pillar or obelisk |
The upright climbing habit and cluster-flowered shoots spiral attractively around a pillar or tall obelisk, delivering tiered colour while remaining compact enough for average-sized gardens or shared spaces. A refined choice for design-focused gardeners |
| Large container by doorway or balcony |
In a substantial 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, its own-root vigour supports long-term growth, allowing you to frame a doorway or balcony edge with vertical colour without committing to in-ground planting. A flexible solution for renting residents |
| Cut-flower corner |
Long-stemmed, very full blooms with stable colour make elegant cut flowers for the home; the plant produces repeat flushes, so you can harvest regularly while keeping structure and foliage attractive outdoors. A rewarding project for creative florists |
| Low-maintenance nostalgic border backdrop |
Placed at the back of a mixed border and underplanted with lavender, sage or Nepeta, its antique-style flowers and dark foliage form a romantic backdrop with only moderate pruning and occasional plant protection. A gentle fit for relaxed beginners |
| Family seating or play area edge |
Trained up and away from ground level, its dense cover brings colour above seating or play areas, while own-root durability offers reassurance that accidental damage can regrow over time with basic care. A sensible choice for family gardeners |
Styling ideas
- Townhouse Arch – train over a narrow metal arch, underplant with lavender and blue fescue to echo the red-white blooms – perfect for small London terraces
- Romantic Wall – fan across a sunny brick wall with Nepeta and garden phlox at the base for soft colour layers – ideal for cottage-style family gardens
- Balcony Column – grow in a 50 litre pot with a slim obelisk, pairing with drought-tolerant herbs for a scented, low-water display – suited to busy city dwellers
- Classic Entrance – frame a front door with two matched climbers, underplanted with compact ornamental grasses for year-round structure – appealing to symmetry-loving homeowners
- Play-Friendly Screen – use as a tall screen behind a bench or sandpit, combining with thorn-free shrubs at the front for a layered safety buffer – reassuring for young families
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose cultivar Antike 89™ (registered as KORdalen), a large-flowered climber marketed as Antike 89™ Climbing rose KORdalen; ARS approved exhibition name Antike 89 for show and catalogue use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by W. Kordes & Sons in Germany from (‘Grand Hotel’ × ‘Sympathie’) × (unnamed seedling × ‘Arthur Bell’); bred 1987, registered 1988, introduced 1989 by W. Kordes’ Söhne. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climbing rose reaching about 2.25–3.75 m high with a 0.7–1.3 m spread, dense glossy dark green foliage and heavily thorned canes; moderate self-cleaning, some spent blooms benefit from light deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very full, cup-shaped blooms with over 40 petals, borne mainly in clusters; strongly remontant with a generous second flush, making it suitable for display on arches, walls and as a cut-flower producer. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Striking red-white bicolour petals: creamy-white centres with vivid red edges (RHS NN155C and 45A); buds dark red with pale bases, colour holds well with only moderate fading to softer pink and muted purple tones. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Classified as a scentless rose with no noticeable fragrance; chosen primarily for its visual effect, colour stability and nostalgic flower form rather than perfume, making it suitable where scent is not a priority. |
| Hip characteristics |
Highly double flowers limit hip formation; occasional ellipsoid hips 12–18 mm across may develop, coloured orange-red and generally few in number, so ornamental impact comes mainly from flowers and foliage. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −29 to −32 °C (RHS H7, USDA 4b, Swedish Zone 5); moderate resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, benefitting from good air flow and routine monitoring in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; plant 90–180 cm apart depending on use and train on supports. Water in droughts, deadhead where needed, and provide occasional plant protection under high disease pressure. |
ANTIKE 89™ offers nostalgic bicolour blooms, reliable climbing coverage and long-lived own-root resilience, making it a thoughtful choice for sustainable vertical structure in family and urban gardens; consider it where lasting impact matters.
