MOONLIGHT ® – yellow climbing rose – Kordes
Step into a London front garden after rain and feel the balance that MOONLIGHT ® brings, its warm yellow blooms glowing like soft moonlight against brick or fencing while coping reliably with blustery, rain‑washed coastal conditions and heavy British soils. This large-flowered climber clothes walls, arches and railings with scented clusters from early summer well into autumn, needing only straightforward tying-in and light maintenance to keep it flowering. Grown on its own roots, it settles steadily and is bred for a long garden lifespan, regenerating from the base if stems are damaged and suiting sustainable, rainwater‑fed urban plots. In a typical family garden it moves from building roots in year one, to stronger shoots in year two, to its full climbing presence by year three.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front‑garden house wall or garage facade |
Ideal where ground space is tight but vertical space is free: MOONLIGHT ® clothes walls with medium‑height, controllable growth and repeat waves of yellow bloom, giving long seasonal interest with modest pruning for busy urban gardeners |
| Rose arch or small pergola in a family garden |
Its 2–3 m height and semi‑double clusters make an inviting tunnel of colour without overwhelming a modest structure, while the strong fruity fragrance creates a sensory focal point children and adults can enjoy on summer evenings for family‑orientated owners |
| Rain‑conscious, sustainable urban border |
Bred by Kordes with good heat tolerance, this climber copes well with collected rainwater and typical city microclimates, offering reliable flowering on sturdy growth that stands up to wet, windy spells and heavier soils for environmentally‑minded homeowners |
| Obelisk or tall trellis in a mixed planting |
Medium-density, glossy foliage and moderate spread allow MOONLIGHT ® to rise through perennials such as nepeta or salvias without swamping them, adding vertical structure and long-lasting colour on relatively compact supports for small‑garden enthusiasts |
| Large container on terrace or balcony (40–50 litres+) |
Suited to a generous, well‑drained pot, its own-root form provides long-term stability, while a 40–50 litre container buffers summer drying and supports steady, manageable growth in paved or courtyard settings for balcony and patio gardeners |
| Perfumed seating area or evening path |
The rich, fruity, long-lasting scent is strongest near head height, so training stems along an arbour or beside a bench turns everyday seating into a post‑rain, moonlit-scent experience that rewards even minimal, routine care for scent‑loving beginners |
| Long-term structural feature in a family plot |
With hardy, H7-rated growth and own-root resilience, MOONLIGHT ® is designed as a lasting feature, capable of regenerating if pruned hard or weather‑damaged, giving a stable presence that matures over many seasons for long‑term planners |
| Exhibition‑style decorative screen or show trellis |
As a medal-winning climbing rose with abundant, warm yellow clusters, it offers the decorative finish needed for smart terraces and show-style screens, maintaining an elegant look with only moderate deadheading and plant protection for style‑conscious hobbyists |
Styling ideas
- Soft‑golden facade – Train MOONLIGHT ® along wires on a brick terrace front, underplant with Nepeta x faassenii to soften the base and echo the relaxed, low‑maintenance feel – ideal for time‑pressed city homeowners
- Moonlit archway – Cover a slim rose arch with MOONLIGHT ® and line the path with lavender or dwarf sage, creating fragrant layers that work from late spring to autumn – for romantic, small‑garden renovators
- Urban sunset corner – Pair its warm yellow clusters with Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ and compact grasses by a seating area, using captured rainwater for a climate‑conscious display – suited to sustainability‑focused gardeners
- Courtyard vertical – In a 50‑litre pot, let MOONLIGHT ® climb a trellis against pale render, keeping the footprint tiny while giving height and privacy – perfect for balcony and patio dwellers
- Contemporary contrast – Combine MOONLIGHT ® on a pergola with Phormium ‘Tom Thumb’ and slate chippings for a crisp, low‑fuss scheme that stays structured year‑round – aimed at modern‑design enthusiasts
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose from the Klettermaxe® collection; registered as KORklemol, marketed as MOONLIGHT ® – yellow climbing rose - Kordes; ARS exhibition name Moonlight®; large-flowered climber group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from (unknown seedling × ‘Lichtkönigin Lucia’) × unknown pollen; bred 1995, registered 2006, introduced after 2006 by W. Kordes’ Söhne. |
| Awards and recognition |
Decorative exhibition climber with strong trial record: Tokyo Bronze Medal 2005, Belfast Gold Medal 2007, The Hague International Rose Trials Bronze Certificate 2012 for ornamental and garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climbing habit reaching about 200–320 cm high with 70–120 cm spread; medium-density mid-green, glossy foliage; moderately thorny canes; requires support and tying-in for best coverage and display. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, cupped, semi-double blooms with 13–25 petals, borne in clusters; remontant with abundant second flush; flower size typically 7–10 cm; some spent blooms persist, so light deadheading improves appearance. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm golden-yellow with subtle copper and peach tones; buds deep yellow with orange hint, opening to rich golden centres and paler outer petals; colour lightens to pastel yellow, sometimes with a fine pink edge. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent with rich, fruity character; fragrance noticeable around paths and seating areas in still air; particularly effective on arches and pergolas where blooms are close to nose height. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip production usually low; occasional small, spherical orange-red hips, about 8–12 mm diameter, may form later in the season; decorative effect is modest and secondary to the primary floral display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about -26 to -23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zon 4); good heat tolerance but water during prolonged drought; disease resistance medium, with susceptibility to powdery mildew in very humid sites. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; moderate maintenance with deadheading and tying-in; plant 100–180 cm apart depending on use; provide support for climbing stems and monitor foliage in damp seasons. |
MOONLIGHT ® – yellow climbing rose - Kordes offers richly scented, repeat flowering on a hardy, long-lived framework, and as an own-root rose it establishes steadily for years of reliable colour, making it a thoughtful choice for your garden structure.
