REPORTER – red climbing rose – Tantau
With REPORTER you introduce a velvety vertical accent that turns even a small front garden into a richly coloured backdrop, while its semi-double blooms remain welcoming to pollinators throughout the season. This reliable climber forms dense, dark green foliage that clothes fences and arches, brings structure to “girly” London terraces, and copes steadily with breezy sites and wetter spells typical of our coastal climate. Own-root growth gives reassuring longevity and the ability to regenerate from the base if stems are damaged, so you gain a stable feature rather than a short-lived show. In the first year it concentrates on firm roots, the second on strong shoots, and by the third you can enjoy its full ornamental impact as a mature, scarlet curtain of colour.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Terraced-house front fence |
Ideal where ground space is tight but you still want a generous display: the tall, climbing habit lets you green up railings or low fences without sacrificing walkway width, suiting time-poor beginners. |
| Rose arch over a narrow path |
The long, supple canes and dense foliage make it easy to train over an arch, creating that post-rain tunnel of colour and light fragrance with minimal pruning skill needed for urban homeowners. |
| Wall-trained feature in a small garden |
Trained flat against brick or render, its dark, glossy leaves and scarlet blooms give a smart, architectural look while keeping the footprint slim, a practical option for stylish city-garden residents. |
| Rainwater-conscious front garden planting |
Works well in permeable, rainwater-collecting beds below downpipes or along drives, where its deep roots and vertical growth complement gravel and low perennials for sustainability-minded gardeners. |
| Pollinator-friendly vertical accent |
The semi-double flowers with accessible stamens provide nectar and pollen while you enjoy vivid colour, making it an attractive green screen for wildlife-aware families. |
| Long-term structure on pergolas |
Own-root plants build a strong base and can reshoot if older stems are lost, giving you a long-lived, structural cover on pergolas that suits those planning enduring garden frameworks for practical planners. |
| Container-grown climber on balcony or patio |
In a large 40–50 litre pot with good drainage it can be trained up trellis or wires, bringing height and colour to paved spaces with straightforward seasonal care for busy urban renters. |
| Wind-exposed coastal garden screen |
The dense foliage and climbing habit help filter breezes while the plant copes reliably with moist air and blustery, changeable weather often found near the sea for coastal-front owners. |
Styling ideas
- Scarlet-Entrance – Train REPORTER over a simple metal arch with lavender and nepeta at its feet for a scented welcome that softens a hard-paved front path – ideal for style-conscious city couples.
- Balcony-Curtain – Grow it in a 50-litre container with upright rosemary and trailing thyme to form a living privacy screen – perfect for flat-dwellers wanting greenery without losing floor space.
- Rain-Garden-Frame – Use it beside a gravelled soakaway bed with sage and ornamental grasses to frame a rainwater-collecting area – suited to eco-minded homeowners redesigning driveways.
- Family-Playbackdrop – Let it cloak a boundary fence behind a simple lawn and play space, adding colour and wildlife interest without complicated upkeep – good for young families.
- Evening-Glow – Combine REPORTER on a wall with pale pink perennials and white gaura so its deep red flowers stand out at dusk – attractive for after-work gardeners who unwind outside.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Climbing, large-flowered rose; registered as TANklesant, marketed as REPORTER – red climbing rose – Tantau; ARS exhibition name ‘Santana’, authenticated premium bronze quality. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. at Rosen Tantau, Uetersen, Germany; parentage undocumented; introduced as a robust ornamental climber for decorative wall and arch training. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong-climbing habit reaching about 225–375 cm high and 110–190 cm wide; dark, glossy, dense foliage on well-armed, prickly stems gives good coverage of supports and structures. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped clusters with 13–25 petals; medium-sized blooms around 4–7 cm; flowers repeat freely with a particularly generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Buds nearly black, opening deep velvety red, then bright scarlet before ageing to cherry red; overall effect a rich, stable red wall of colour with moderate fade over the flowering cycle. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, restrained rose scent that drifts gently after rain; enough to enhance close seating areas or entrances without overwhelming spaces near doors, windows, or narrow paths. |
| Hip characteristics |
Moderately abundant ovoid hips, about 10–18 mm, bright red (RHS 43A); add late-season colour and additional wildlife interest if spent flowers are not deadheaded after flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b); medium resistance to black spot, mildew, and rust, benefiting from basic hygiene and timely protection in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with free-draining soil; tie new shoots horizontally on arches, fences, or walls; allow 140–230 cm per plant depending on use; clean spent blooms where tidy appearance is desired. |
REPORTER – red climbing rose – Tantau offers vivid vertical colour, pollinator-friendly blooms and durable own-root performance, a thoughtful choice if you want a long-lived, low-fuss feature.
