ÉTOILE DE HOLLANDE – crimson-red climbing rose - Leenders
If You dream of a romantic climber that simply settles in and performs, Étoile de Hollande offers reliable flowering, classic charm and manageable care in typical Irish gardens with humid summers and changeable weather. Its richly scented, velvety crimson blooms repeat through the season, bringing a dramatic vertical accent to walls, fences and pergolas without demanding expert skills. As an own-root plant, it builds itself up steadily for a long life: roots in year one, strong shoots in year two, and full ornamental impact from about year three onwards. Medium maintenance means You mainly feed, water in dry spells and deadhead, while its good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot helps keep the foliage healthy. The pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot arrives well rooted and easy to plant, designed so You can simply place it, guide the canes and enjoy the fragrance and colour. Give it a sunny spot, a solid support, and basic care, and this climber will repay You with years of deep red flowers and a gently evolving, cottage-style presence that feels instantly at home.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| House wall or sunny gable |
Ideal where You want a classic wall-trained rose with repeat flowering and a structured, upright habit that is easy to tie in along wires or trellis, creating long-lived vertical interest for busy homeowners |
| Front garden fence or railing |
Works well for adding cottage-style colour and privacy along low fences; moderate maintenance with some deadheading keeps the frontage neat and welcoming, suiting smaller Irish front gardens and urban residents |
| Pergola or arch by a seating area |
Very strong, classic rose fragrance makes it perfect near benches or patios, where the deep crimson blooms and scent can be enjoyed up close with only occasional pruning needed by scent-lovers |
| Freestanding feature on an obelisk |
Its upright, manageable growth and medium foliage density allow it to be trained as a striking solitary specimen on a sturdy obelisk, giving height and a focal point without complex shaping for beginner gardeners |
| Mixed border with shrubs and perennials |
The velvety crimson-red flowers combine beautifully with greens and softer tones, repeating through summer to knit mixed plantings together, providing dependable colour in borders maintained by hobby gardeners |
| Rural cottage-style garden edge |
Historic character and deep, romantic colouring echo traditional cottage gardens, while own-root vigour helps it settle for the long term, rewarding informal, relaxed care typical of country households |
| Sheltered coastal patio in a large container |
Suitable for a minimum 40–50 litre container where drainage can be managed more easily in areas with moist, heavy soils and frequent rain, fitting the needs of small-space balcony gardeners |
| Arbour or entrance walk-through |
Repeat flowering and medium disease resistance give a reliable archway display even in regions where moist Atlantic winds and rainfall increase disease pressure, supporting confidence for time-poor beginners |
Decorating ideas
- Romantic Front Door Arch – Train Étoile de Hollande over a metal or wooden arch, underplant with lavender and soft pink geraniums for a welcoming entrance – ideal for homeowners who want instant charm.
- Cottage Fence Tapestry – Let the crimson blooms weave through a picket fence, backed with Deutzia gracilis and coral bells for foliage contrast – perfect for lovers of relaxed cottage style.
- Evening Perfume Corner – Grow it on a pergola beside seating, paired with white hydrangeas and silvery rosemary to highlight the strong scent at dusk – suited to small gardens focused on relaxation.
- Vertical Feature Border – Place an obelisk in a mixed border, surrounding the climber with heuchera and low ornamental grasses for texture – great for gardeners seeking easy structure without complex design.
- Coastal Patio Statement – Plant in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with free-draining compost, combining with pots of lavender and thyme – ideal for compact coastal spaces needing robust, handsome colour.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Trade name Étoile de Hollande Climbing rose Leenders, ARS exhibition name Climbing Étoile de Hollande, large-flowered climbing rose, unregistered cultivar used mainly as a garden and exhibition climber. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mathias Peter Hubert Leenders, Netherlands, introduced 1931, parentage Étoile de Hollande (General MacArthur × Hadley), distributed initially by M. Leenders & Co. in Steyl–Tegelen. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit and a Certificate of Merit from Barcelona 1932, reflecting proven garden performance and enduring popularity among rose enthusiasts. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright climbing habit, typically 90–160 cm high and 70–130 cm spread, medium-density dark green foliage, moderately thorny canes, suited to training on walls, fences, arches and pergolas with support. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped blooms with 26–39 petals, usually borne singly on stems, extra-large flower size ideal for cutting, remontant with a strong second flush when regularly deadheaded and well fed. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep velvety purplish-crimson with slightly darker edges, buds opening nearly black-red then lightening slightly with age; colour deepens in cool weather, may fade a little in strong sun, repeat blooms through season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic rose fragrance, noticeable from a distance in still air; traditional tea-hybrid style scent suited to seating areas and entrances where perfumed impact is especially appreciated. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Occasional small ovoid hips, approximately 10–16 mm, orange-red when ripe, generally of minor ornamental effect as many spent blooms are removed for repeat flowering and to keep plants tidy. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −32 to −29 °C (RHS H7, USDA 4b, Swedish zone 5), good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, medium resistance to rust, moderate heat and drought tolerance with watering in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers full sun, medium maintenance with some plant protection; deadhead as self-cleaning is weak, tie in new shoots regularly, space approximately 90–150 cm depending on use, ensure supports and good soil preparation. |
Étoile de Hollande offers rich fragrance, repeat crimson blooms and dependable vertical structure, while its own-root habit supports long-lived, resilient growth; You may find it a reassuring choice for a romantic, low-fuss garden feature.
