ÉTOILE DE HOLLANDE – crimson-red climbing rose - Leenders
Step outside after the rain and let the deep, velvety blooms of Climbing Étoile de Hollande set the mood of gentle contentment in your Irish garden. This classic crimson climber offers a fragrant, old-world atmosphere on a simple cottage wall or compact Dublin terrace, while coping well with cool summers and frequent rainfall that shape our Atlantic gardens. Large, cup-shaped flowers appear in generous flushes from early summer, then repeat so reliably that a short stroll past the arch or pergola becomes a daily pleasure. Own-root plants settle in gradually yet securely, giving a long-lived, easily managed framework that responds well to light training rather than complicated pruning, ideal when You want beauty, not chores. Over the first seasons the roots establish, the shoots build up, and by the third year Your rose reaches its full ornamental character as a richly clothed, romantic curtain of colour. With firm, dark foliage as a backdrop and petals that hold their shade best in softer Irish light, this is a timeless choice for anyone who loves atmosphere as much as flowers.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Sunny house wall in a small to medium family garden |
Trained on wires or a simple trellis, this upright climber quickly becomes a vertical curtain of crimson, while its dark foliage frames windows without overwhelming the space; perfect if You like classic roses but want low-fuss structure, beginners |
| Cottage-style arch or arbour over a garden path |
The large, double, richly scented flowers hang at head height, transforming a short walk under the arch into a scented moment of calm, especially in the evening; ideal for those who value sensory experiences in everyday spaces, fragrance-lovers |
| Dublin terraced-house front garden with limited depth |
Used as a slender pillar or fan-trained against railings, it delivers strong colour and a traditional feel without taking much ground space, suiting compact city plots where every square metre counts, urban-owners |
| Pergola or seating area backdrop |
Its remontant habit gives repeated flushes of bloom through the short Irish summer, meaning Your seating area stays cheerful and coloured for longer with only moderate maintenance, time-poor |
| Feature rose for mixed cottage border |
The reliable upright growth makes a tidy, manageable framework that can be underplanted with perennials, helping create that relaxed, “girly” cottage feel without the plant getting leggy or unruly, cottage-gardeners |
| Cutting garden for home arrangements |
Extra-large, solitary blooms on strong stems and a classic, powerful scent make it superb for cutting, giving You luxury vase flowers at home without needing specialist floristry varieties, home-arrangers |
| Long-term investment planting on pergola or fence |
As an own-root rose, it ages gracefully, regenerating from the base if damaged and keeping a stable shape for decades, so initial training pays off in a long-lived, dependable garden feature, long-term-planners |
| Well-drained large container by a front door |
In a 40–50 litre pot with sharp drainage it forms a compact climber for a sheltered entrance, enjoying cooler Irish conditions where heat is seldom extreme and frequent showers refresh rather than scorch, busy-beginners |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Arch – Train over a narrow metal arch, underplant with Heuchera and softly trailing perennials for a romantic, storybook entrance – suited to nostalgic garden-makers
- Front-Focus – Fan-train against a Dublin terrace rail or wall, pair with dwarf Deutzia for spring froth before the roses, keeping the look neat but welcoming – ideal for style-conscious city owners
- Evening-Seating – Grow over a timber pergola beside a bench, with pale foxgloves and white campanulas to catch the twilight and let the strong scent shine – perfect for evening relaxers
- Classic-Cuttings – Dedicate a fence panel in the veg or side garden, growing this rose mainly for armfuls of crimson, perfumed stems for the house – appealing to home florists
- Winter-Outline – Train on rustic posts and wires with Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’ and evergreen grasses beneath, so the structure and hips add interest even when leafless – great for year-round planners
Technical cultivar profile
| Trait | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Étoile de Hollande Climbing rose Leenders; large-flowered climbing rose, ARS name Climbing Étoile de Hollande; unregistered cultivar widely known in commerce and exhibitions. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mathias Peter Hubert Leenders, Netherlands, 1931; parentage ‘Étoile de Hollande’ (Verschuren, 1919); ‘General MacArthur’ × ‘Hadley’; introduced by M. Leenders & Co. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holder of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit and a 1932 Barcelona Certificate of Merit, confirming long-term ornamental value and proven garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright climbing growth with medium-density dark green foliage; height typically 90–160 cm on young plants, spreading 70–130 cm; moderately thorny, needs support and light training. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large, double, cup-shaped blooms (10 cm+), usually solitary on stems; 26–39 petals, remontant with an abundant second flush; weak self-cleaning, so deadheading is recommended. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep velvety purplish-crimson, slightly blackened edges; ARS DR, RHS 53B outer, 53A inner; buds open near-black, colour deepens in cool weather and fades gently in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic rose fragrance, noticeable from a distance; ideal for seating areas or cutting for indoor scent; primarily ornamental due to double blooms limiting pollinator access. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms occasional small ovoid hips, about 10–16 mm, orange-red when ripe; adds light seasonal interest but not a heavy fruiting variety, hips are generally secondary to flower display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about –29 to –32 °C (USDA 4b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 5); resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate against rust; tolerates heat but needs watering in drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun, fertile, well-drained soil; space 90–150 cm depending on use; plant 1.0–1.2/m² for coverage; ideal for walls, fences, arbours, pergolas and as a scented specimen. |
Étoile de Hollande Climbing rose Leenders offers sumptuous scent, repeat crimson flowering and a stable, regenerative own-root framework; a graceful, long-term partner if You wish to invest in enduring garden character.
