The petals are full and of a uniform blood-red hue. In bright light they take on a darker tone. - climber, climbing rose - medium-strength, well-scented rose - fresh, fruity character
– Rich ruby‑to‑burgundy red colour play.
– Medium, fresh‑fruity fragrance.
– Vigorous climber for walls and pergolas.
– Dense, glossy dark green foliage.
– Proven ARS classic shrub rose winner.
– Special feature: Colour shifts dramatically from vivid ruby to moody burgundy, creating a striking “Illusion” effect in the garden.
Low maintenance – Quality-conscious choice
eleanorROSE® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
19,30 £
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to ship to the United Kingdom; we only deliver to countries within the European Union. For more information, please contact us!
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ILLUSION® – red climbing rose – Kordes
Step outside after rain and follow Illusion® along a narrow path, where velvety blooms and fruity fragrance lend a sense of balance to even the smallest London front garden. This classic Kordes climber creates a tall, flowered curtain over railings or walls while coping reliably with typical British humidity and frequent showers in exposed gardens. In a 2‑litre own‑root form it settles in steadily, with roots building in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, and full ornamental effect by the third. Once established in well‑drained soil, its dark, glossy foliage and richly coloured petals bring long‑season structure to rainwater‑wise, sustainable city spaces.
Illusion® shows cup-shaped, double red blooms.
Illusion® in full bloom, showing deep red double flowers.
Usage options
Target area
Reasoning
Front garden railings in terraced streets
Train Illusion® along low railings or a simple wire frame to create a vertical screen of red flowers without losing precious ground space, an easy way to soften hard paving for beginner and time‑poor urban gardeners
House wall or sunny fence
Against a south or west‑facing wall, Illusion® forms a tall, glossy green backdrop that flowers over a long season, its own‑root vigour giving a dependable framework that matures gracefully over many years for sustainability‑minded homeowners
Pergola or arch over a narrow path
Its climbing habit and medium‑sized, cup‑shaped blooms make a natural choice for a slender arch, creating that post‑rain tunnel of scent in small gardens where space is tight but atmosphere matters for romantic‑leaning beginners
Rainwater‑aware planting with improved drainage
Planted into enriched, well‑drained holes on heavier clay, Illusion® uses its own‑root strength to establish steadily, coping well with frequent British downpours while rewarding patient care in compact, rain‑managed plots for eco‑focused gardeners
Large container on balcony or paved front
In a minimum 40–50 litre pot with peat‑free compost, this climber can be trained up a slim obelisk, giving height, colour and fragrance where borders are impossible yet watering with saved rain fits busy, space‑limited city dwellers
Statement pillar or obelisk in mixed border
Used as a vertical accent, Illusion® rises above perennials while its dark foliage anchors the border; own‑root resilience helps it regenerate from lower buds after pruning, suiting long‑term planning by quality‑conscious garden owners
Screening between neighbouring gardens
Along shared boundaries, its dense foliage and moderate prickliness create a living partition that feels softer than panels, with repeat flowering adding seasonal interest that matures into a stable, long‑lived feature for privacy‑seeking families
Classic “girly” red‑and‑pink scheme
The rich red flowers pair beautifully with pastel clematis or pink perennials, delivering a romantic, slightly dramatic look while the own‑root plant offers a reliable long view for style‑driven but time‑pressed front‑gardeners
Styling ideas
Romantic Archway – Train Illusion® over a narrow metal arch with underplanting of lavender and nepeta for a scented, pollinator‑friendly entrance – ideal for terraced‑house front‑garden owners
Balcony Curtain – Grow in a 50‑litre container with a slim trellis to form a living red screen, paired with drought‑tolerant sage in pots – suited to style‑conscious flat dwellers
Classic Front Wall – Fan‑train along railings with soft pink geraniums at the base to green up paved front gardens – perfect for busy London commuters
Pergola Walkway – Clothe a light pergola and interplant with clematis for layered colour and fragrance over a path – appealing to hobby gardeners planning a long‑term feature
Vertical Focus – Use Illusion® up an obelisk amidst ornamental grasses for year‑round structure and seasonal red blooms – great for design‑led, low‑maintenance gardeners
Technical cultivar profile
Characteristic
Data
Name and registration
Illusion® is a large‑flowered climbing Hybrid Kordesii rose; registered and exhibited as ‘Illusion’, classified as a climbing rose within classic shrub and exhibition climbing categories.
Origin and breeding
Bred by Reimer Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany; introduced and registered in 1961, with parentage undocumented but selected for its red blooms and climbing habit.
Awards and recognition
Recognised by the American Rose Society with Classic Shrub Rose Awards in 2000 and 2005, confirming enduring exhibition value and traditional ornamental appeal.
Growth and structural characteristics
Vigorous climber reaching about 220–340 cm high with 140–220 cm spread, moderately thorny canes and dense, dark green glossy foliage forming a substantial vertical framework.
Flower morphology
Medium, double, cup‑shaped clustered blooms with roughly 26–39 petals; remontant habit gives a main flush followed by lighter repeat flowering through the season.
Colour data and phenology
Ruby to carmine red flowers (RHS 53A–53B) that deepen then mellow towards burgundy and maroon, occasionally with darker edges, showing moderate colour fading in strong light.
Fragrance and aroma
Medium‑strength scent with a fresh, fruity rose character noticeable along paths and seating areas, adding sensory interest without being overpowering in enclosed spaces.
Hip characteristics
Occasionally forms ellipsoidal red hips around 9–15 mm across, adding late‑season ornament where flowers have been allowed to set rather than being deadheaded.
Resistance and winter hardiness
Rated to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 4, USDA 5b); disease resistance is weak, so regular protection against black spot, mildew and rust is recommended.
Horticultural recommendations
Best on sunny walls, fences, pergolas or pillars; plant with 165–270 cm spacing, improve drainage on heavy soils, and prune to maintain a manageable, flower‑rich framework.
Illusion® offers velvety red height, romantic fragrance and a long‑lived, regenerating own‑root framework that rewards patient planting with dependable structure and bloom, making it a thoughtful choice for characterful front gardens.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
ILLUSION® – red climbing rose - Kordes
Product Type:
eleanorROSE® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Flower Colour Description:
The petals are full and of a uniform blood-red hue. In bright light they take on a darker tone.
Closed Bud:
Dark garnet red with a matte surface; its shade is barely distinguishable from the open petals.
Newly Opened Flower:
The outer petals are vivid ruby red, the inner petals are a slightly darker, velvety crimson.
Full Bloom:
The colour is a deepening carmine red, occasionally with a subtle blackening at the edges.
Before Fading:
The red tone gradually mellows into maroon, with a pale crimson overlay.
Colour Fading Description:
As the bloom opens, the ruby-red hue deepens to carmine, then before flowering out it mutes to burgundy with a faint purple overlay; the overall effect shows moderate fading.
Pollinator Attraction:
Double-flowered (40+ petals) blooms, where the flower form obscures stamen accessibility, provide only limited attraction to pollinators.
Pollinator-Friendly Rating:
Its double flowers attract pollinators only to a limited extent, so it is primarily an ornamental variety.
Maintenance Requirement:
Maintenance requirement high; due to poor disease resistance it requires regular plant‑protection treatments and increased attention.
Our product is a rose grown with pharmaROSA®’s unique cultivation technology!
2-litre, own-root, potted rose.
With a shoot system appropriate to the season.
With a root system that thoroughly permeates the growing medium.
Quality compliant with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
Supplied in unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-variety rose bush with a unique identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Crop overview: several varieties and growth stages in a short crop section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: demonstration of a vigorous root system permeating the growing medium, by removing the pot.Balance: mature plant with root system and shoots in harmony with each other.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”; it illustrates the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root cultivation in a tangible way: how the plant is built up, what the root system is like and how the shoot system regenerates. The recordings were therefore made at different times and with plants at various stages of development, so mixed foliage levels and differing stages of growth may appear in the videos. They are not a ‘sample’ of the batch dispatched, but a visual explanation of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical for the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown in the upper part of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
