FLAME DANCE – red climbing rose – Kordes
Create a classic focal point in your family garden with Flame Dance, a reliable large-flowered climbing rose that clothes walls, fences and arches in waves of vivid red blooms. Its semi-double flowers open to reveal golden stamens, giving a naturally informal cottage feel while drawing in bees and other pollinators. The strong, flexible growth and dense foliage offer dependable coverage, even in exposed spots where it must stand up to frequent rain and wind along coastal gardens. Medium-sized, cup-shaped blooms appear in generous clusters, providing a dramatic show from early summer with a lighter repeat later in the season. As an own-root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it settles steadily and offers long-term resilience, forming a stable framework that matures gracefully over the years. With time, roots strengthen, then shoots extend, and by the third year its full ornamental impact and climbing presence become clear. Its pleasantly spicy-sweet fragrance adds atmosphere to seating areas and paths, while the rich, velvety red colour holds well on the plant, maintaining visual harmony with both brickwork and traditional cottage-style plantings.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front-garden house wall or sunny façade |
Trained on wires or trellis, Flame Dance builds a strong, leafy framework that softens brick or render while staying within the typical two-storey height of many homes. Dense, mid-green foliage and vivid red clusters give classic kerb appeal with relatively simple seasonal care for the beginner |
| Archway or pergola in a family garden |
The long, climbing canes and abundant clusters of medium-sized flowers are ideal for clothing an arch or simple pergola, creating a sense of arrival or a sheltered corner. Moderate self-cleaning and a repeat flush later in summer keep interest without intricate pruning for the busy |
| Fence line or boundary screen |
With a spread of up to 2 m and dense foliage, this rose offers reliable visual screening on wire or timber fences. Once tied in and established, the own-root structure provides good anchoring and long-lived coverage, even where strong winds regularly sweep the garden for the practical |
| Mixed cottage-style border backdrop |
The rich, deep red colour works beautifully as a vertical accent behind perennials such as Coreopsis or hemp-agrimony, echoing traditional cottage gardens. Semi-double blooms with exposed stamens give a relaxed, natural look that suits informal mixes appreciated by the romantic |
| Pollinator-friendly feature near seating |
Semi-double, cup-shaped flowers reveal stamens clearly, helping bees and other insects access pollen throughout the main flowering period. The medium, spicy-sweet fragrance is noticeable without being overpowering, adding gentle sensory interest for the nature-lover |
| Small group planting on a large wall |
Planting two or three plants along a longer wall builds a continuous ribbon of colour and foliage, especially effective where you want a generous display from a manageable number of roses. The repeat flowering, though lighter, refreshes the display enough to please the aesthetic |
| Sheltered courtyard or town garden climber |
In enclosed spaces, the vivid red clusters and medium fragrance feel particularly concentrated, creating a sense of enclosure and seasonal drama. The plant’s tolerance of heat, provided regular watering is given in dry spells, suits paved or walled areas valued by the urban |
| Large container against a sturdy support |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage and feeding, Flame Dance can be grown as a potted climber on a balcony or terrace, tied to an obelisk or wall trellis. This flexible use allows striking vertical colour where soil is limited, which is ideal for the space-conscious |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-arch – Train Flame Dance over a simple wooden arch, underplant with Coreopsis and hardy geraniums for a soft, tumbling look – for lovers of informal cottage charm
- Brickbackdrop – Clothe a warm brick wall with its velvety red blooms, adding white Physostegia and silver foliage at the base for contrast – for those who enjoy classic front-garden structure
- Red-ribbon – Space two or three plants along a long fence to create a continuous band of deep red, paired with airy ornamental grasses – for gardeners seeking a bold but low-fuss statement
- Courtly-corner – Use a single plant on a pergola post in a paved courtyard, with pots of lavender and rosemary nearby to echo the fragrance – for urban owners craving a refined outdoor room
- Wild-edge – Let Flame Dance climb a rustic wire fence, interplanted with hemp-agrimony and native perennials to encourage wildlife – for nature-focused gardeners who like a slightly wilder style
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose cultivar KORflata, marketed as Flame Dance Climbing rose KORflata; ARS exhibition name Flammentanz; large-flowered climber (LCl) within the climbing rose commercial group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm J. H. Kordes II at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from Rosa eglanteria L × Rosa kordesii H Wulff; introduced by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 1955 as a robust garden climber. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR distinction awarded in 1952, indicating recognised garden performance at the time of testing; historically valued in European gardens as a colourful, reliable climbing rose. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong climbing habit reaching about 240–400 cm in height and 100–200 cm spread; densely thorned shoots and full, mid-green foliage create a substantial framework for walls, arches and fences. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped flowers with around 13–25 petals, borne in clusters of medium-sized blooms (approximately 1.5–2.75 inches), providing a soft, informal appearance with visible stamens. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid deep red blooms (RHS 53A outer, 53B inner; ARS MR) opening scarlet, deepening to dark cherry red with a slight black veil; colour holds reasonably well and remains intense until petal fall. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Pleasantly spicy-sweet scent of medium strength, noticeable on warm days without dominating nearby areas; semi-double flower form and open centres also support pollinator visits during bloom. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rosehips form only sparsely; when present they are egg-shaped, orange-red and around 18–26 mm in diameter, adding occasional late-season interest without heavy self-seeding. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Very hardy (approx. –29 to –26 °C, RHS H7, Swedish Zone 4, USDA 5a); tolerates heat but needs watering in prolonged drought; disease resistance is modest, with high black spot sensitivity. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun on well-drained soil; ideal for walls, pergolas, arches and fences. Requires support, tying-in and regular plant protection; recommended spacing 140–225 cm depending on use. |
FLAME DANCE – red climbing rose – Kordes offers vivid red clusters, strong coverage and lasting framework on its own roots, making it a considered choice for gardeners planning a long-term vertical feature.
