SYMPATHIE – deep red climbing rose - Kordes
If You dream of a rose that brings character and cottage-garden romance to a small Irish front garden, ‘Sympathie’ rewards You with months of velvety deep-red bloom and a strong, classic fragrance that hangs in the air after rain. This reliable climber copes well with moist, heavy soils once given decent drainage, staying healthy even when humidity and showers are frequent. Trained on a fence, arch or Dublin terrace façade, its glossy dark foliage and generous clusters of semi-double flowers create instant vertical impact, while own-root growth supports a long-lived, regenerating framework that matures steadily without complicated care. Over time – roots in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, full show by the third – You can expect enduring colour, head-turning height and a gently buzzing, moderately pollinator-friendly sanctuary.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front-garden arch or cottage-style entrance |
‘Sympathie’ quickly transforms a simple metal or wooden arch into a welcoming deep-red tunnel, its climbing habit giving impressive height without taking precious ground space, ideal where You want maximum vertical character in a small family garden – perfect for the romantic-minded beginner. |
| Dublin terraced-house railings and fences |
The tall, flexible canes and glossy foliage create a green screen that suits narrow, busy streets, while the rose’s ability to cope with frequent showers and cool breezes keeps it looking composed in typical Irish weather, softening railings with cottage charm – well suited to time-pressed urban homeowners. |
| Perfumed seating nook or patio corner |
The strong, full fragrance carries beautifully around a bench or small patio, so You can enjoy an evening cup of tea under rich, velvety blooms, with repeat flushes keeping scent in the air for much of the season, even when You have little time for detailed pruning – ideal for fragrance-loving gardeners. |
| Family pergola or play-area backdrop |
Used on a pergola, this climbing rose forms a leafy framework that comes back year after year from its own roots, providing shade, colour and a sense of enclosure, while the sturdy structure develops gradually with simple tying-in and occasional deadheading – reassuring for practical family planners. |
| Cottage-style mixed border with perennials |
Its long flowering season and repeat flushes weave consistent colour through summer, pairing beautifully with bee balm, penstemon or St John’s wort, and the semi-double blooms offer moderate interest for pollinators to keep the border lively – appealing to nature-oriented border designers. |
| Low-maintenance vertical accent on walls |
Once established against a sunny or lightly shaded wall, ‘Sympathie’ forms a permanent climbing framework that only needs light seasonal pruning and tying, rewarding You with dependable coverage and bloom for many years, without constant replanting or fuss – a sound choice for busy owners. |
| Large container on balcony or paved courtyard |
Grown in a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, this climber offers dramatic height and colour where borders are impossible, and its remontant flowering ensures repeated display over short Irish summers, provided regular watering is given – practical for compact-space residents. |
| Seasonal cut flowers for the house |
The sizeable, cup-shaped, velvety red blooms with long, straight stems make handsome, fragrant cut flowers, so one established plant on a fence can supply multiple bunches through the season without losing its garden presence – rewarding for home-flower-loving cutters. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Arch – Train ‘Sympathie’ over a simple wooden arch, underplant with foxgloves and hardy geraniums for a soft, storybook entrance – ideal for romantic cottage-garden fans.
- Terrace-Screen – Weave canes along black railings, adding evergreen climbers and pots of lavender beneath for year-round structure with scented highlights – perfect for Dublin terrace front-garden owners.
- Red-and-Gold – Pair its deep-red clusters with Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ and bronze grasses to create a warm, glowing backdrop – suited to those seeking bold yet easy colour harmonies.
- Perfumed-Nook – Let stems clothe a small pergola above a bench, with shade-tolerant ferns and hostas at ground level for a cool, scented retreat – appealing to evening sitters and book lovers.
- Wildlife-Drift – Combine this moderately pollinator-friendly rose with bee balm and penstemon to draw bees along a sunny fence line – great for families keen to support garden wildlife.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Large-flowered climbing Hybrid Kordesii rose; registered as KORdalen, marketed as Sympathie Climbing rose KORdalen, ARS exhibition name ‘Sympathie’, part of the Climbing rose collection. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from ‘Wilhelm Hansmann’ × ‘Don Juan’; introduced and registered in 1964 as a robust garden and exhibition climbing rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holds the prestigious ADR recognition from 1964, reflecting proven garden performance, reliable flowering and solid health under European trial conditions over multiple seasons. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climber 260–380 cm high with 150–250 cm spread, dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; canes suit training on arches, fences, walls and pergolas for vertical structure. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped clusters of large 7–10 cm blooms with 13–25 petals; remontant habit delivers a strong main flush followed by a generous second flowering later in the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Velvety rich deep-red flowers, RHS 53A outer and 53B inner; buds dark burgundy, ageing slightly paler in strong sun, deeper in cool weather, with subtle smoky burgundy tones as blooms mature. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strongly scented rose with a full, rich character; classic perfumed notes are noticeable around the plant, especially in still, mild conditions, adding sensory appeal for seating areas and entrances. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderate numbers of ovoid, orange-red hips 12–18 mm across; decorative in autumn and winter if spent flowers are not removed, adding seasonal interest for birds and informal displays. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to around −26 to −23 °C (H7, USDA 5b); good heat tolerance with watering in drought; black spot resistant, with moderate susceptibility to powdery mildew and rust under high pressure. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best on sunny or lightly shaded supports; space 180–320 cm depending on use, allow 0.3 plants/m² in mass plantings, secure canes regularly, and deadhead or leave some flowers for hips as desired. |
SYMPATHIE – deep red climbing rose - Kordes offers dramatic height, long-season colour and rich fragrance on a durable own-root framework, making it a thoughtful choice for those planning a lasting, atmospheric garden feature.
