Rose Antike 89

‘Antike 89’ is a vigorous, large-flowered climbing rose bred by W. Kordes & Sons in Germany. Its blooms combine creamy-white centers with vivid carmine-red edges, giving the plant an antique, old-world charm . Each blossom is very full and borne in small clusters, flowering repeatedly from late spring through fall. The foliage is glossy, deep green and typically remains healthy throughout the season. This rose is prized for its striking bi‑color display, substantial growth habit, and winter hardiness - a combination that makes it both decorative and reliable in the home garden.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Antike 89’ with its two‑toned cup‑shaped flowers give it an “antique” appearance, echoing the form of old garden roses even though it is a contemporary hybrid. Its tall, arching canes that can be trained over pergolas or allowed to ramble as a shrub. The foliage is notably dense and glossy, producing a lush screen of green in which the bright blooms stand out and remains relevant in modern gardens: it provides the romantic, showy charm of an old-fashioned rose while offering the improved vigor and disease tolerance of a contemporary Kordes introduction.

FLOWERING

The blooming is profuse and recurring, ‘Antike 89’ blooms in flushes from late spring until autumn, often with an especially generous second flowering. The number of flowers on the plant is profuse.

Flower bud:

Buds of ‘Antike 89’ are broad ovate and elongated. As they form, each bud is enveloped by green sepals that typically have fine hairs on the margins. The most distinctive feature is the coloration: buds display reddish-purple tips which fade to a pale, creamy base. This bicolour hint at bud stage signals the two-tone blooms to come. Peduncles (flower stalks) are of moderate length and sturdy enough to hold the cluster of flowers to come. When the buds swell, the sepals reflex back and the petals start to unfurl.

Bloom:

When fully open, the flowers measure roughly 7 - 10 cm (2¾ - 4 in) in diameter. They are large and very full, formed by dozens of broad, overlapping petals. The petals are arranged in a cupped quartered rosette, often with an ornamental flattened center as the flowers fully opens. The overall bloom form is an exhibition-quality, very full and cupped, typical of many Large flowered climbers. Flowers are borne in generous clusters - each inflorescence carries multiple buds and opens into a bouquet of 3 - 5 (or more) blooms, creating a rich display.

In bright sun, the outer petals hold a vibrant scarlet-red rim, encircling an inner disk of creamy white. This sharp two-tone contrast remains clear even in strong light; only as petals age does the white center sometimes take on a blush pink cast and the red edges soften slightly. The petals unfurl from the bud into this red-on-white pattern, and the flower center stays pale while the edges remain bold. The crimson edges make the flower appear to “glow” on the plant, even though the actual amount of red pigment is moderate – the large number of petals simply amplifies the color effect.

Petals:

The petals of ‘Antike 89’ are substantial in texture and quite large. Each bloom usually contains well over 40 - 50 petals. The petals are typically somewhat cupped or spoon-shaped, so that the overall bloom is hollowed in the center. Margin edges are smooth and uncrimped; none of the petals are fringed or deeply cut. The surfaces are often silky to the touch, and the petals hold color well. As noted, the inner petal surfaces are creamy white, often with a slight pink flush towards the center, while the outer surfaces carry the intense red flush at the tips.

These blooms are long-lasting on the plant: petals do not fall off immediately upon fading but remain and gradually wither. Once open, they tend to last several days on the bush. Even as flowers age and begin to fade, the dense petals maintain form; the red edging will eventually fade to a muted pink‑purple tone, but without the blow-away sheerness of some single roses.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of ‘Antike 89’ is very weak and generally considered not noticeable, it was chosen by breeders for its visual appeal rather than perfumery use. Any scent that might be present is very mild and easily overpowered by the outdoors; at most, one might detect a faint sweet note on very warm days or up close to a freshly opened bloom.

Reproductive parts:

As with many fully double roses, the stamens and pistils of rose variety ‘Antike 89’ are largely concealed by the mass of petals. When flowers open, only a few inner stamens of yellow-tan in color are visible, and they are often partly hidden in the cup. Consequently, the cultivar is only weakly attractive to bees or other pollinators.

Fruit set (hips) is limited: because the blossoms are so full, few hips are produced. Any hips that do form tend to be small, ellipsoid, and orange-red when ripe. Typically they measure about 1 - 1.8 cm in diameter. The plant can set some seed under favorable conditions, but rose hips are not an ornamental feature here; once flowering is done, the spent flowers are usually deadheaded to encourage the next flush of the flowers.

PLANT

This rose is classified as a Climbing Rose of the Large Flowered Climber group. It can be grown either as a tall, arching climber or pruned into a large shrub. Under support, it easily reaches over 250 - 350 cm in height (8.2 - 11.5 ft ) or even up to about 400 cm (13 ft) under very good conditions and care. Its spread is narrower, roughly about 90 - 130 cm (3 - 4.3 ft), making it more upright than wide. When grown on its own roots the cane architecture is upright and somewhat stiff. The plants of this variety are extremely vigorous and can be trained as an arch or left as an open bush. The new canes branch moderately and produce many flowering laterals. As it ages, the shrub becomes bushy and well-filled, providing ample foliage cover.

Like many climbers, ‘Antike 89’ benefits from training and pruning. Early in the season, new shoots should be tied to a support to encourage a fan shape. Winter pruning involves removing dead wood and cutting back excessively old canes. It is advised to remove any weak or inward-growing branches, maintaining 5 - 7 strong canes. Every few years, very old wood can be cut back to encourage fresh basal shoots. Kordes suggests removing unproductive canes about every third year. Deadheading spent flowers will promote more rebloom. Overall, the plant is regarded as hardy and strong: its vigorous nature and healthy foliage mean it usually bounces back readily from summer pruning or winter damage.

This climbing rose is well-suited for covering arbors, pergolas, fences and walls, where its recurring flushes provide long-lasting color. It performs best in full sun to partial shade and in fertile, well-drained soil. In the garden it serves both as a structural element and as a source of cut flowers. To encourage the best flowering, routine care involves removing spent blooms and ensuring good air circulation through the foliage. The cultivar has been marketed for low-maintenance gardens, it requires minimal care and has glossy healthy foliage. In practice, following standard rose culture: watering, mulching, balanced fertilization, is sufficient to keep it vigorous.

Foliage:

The leaves of ‘Antike 89’ are large and ornamental. They are dark, glossy green, and usually composed of 5 - 7 leaflets, occasionally 3 or 9 in atypical cases, including terminal leaflet. Each leaflet is broadly ovate with a pointed tip, and the margins are finely serrated. The surface of the leaves is smooth and somewhat leathery, giving them a deep shine in sunlight. This foliage forms a dense, lush canopy along the canes and laterals, which is highly regarded for covering structures with greenery. Notably, the leaves remain largely clean: blackspot and other blemishes are seldom severe on this cultivar under normal conditions. Overall, the foliage is considered an asset of this rose - dark, abundant and attractive even when the plant is not in bloom.

Leaflets:

The individual leaflets are around 4 - 7 cm long, ovate to elliptic in shape, with a prominent central vein. The undersides of the leaflets are lighter green and nearly glabrous. On young growth, the rachis (leaf stem) may have a few small prickles or hairs, but is generally smooth. The venation is similar to other Hybrid Tea climbers, with netted secondary veins. The edges of the leaflets are serrated, the type of serration is single and small. The overall impression is robust and lush. These features – whole leaflet shape, serrated edges, and arrangement along the petiole – are typical for a large-flowered climber of this breeding, and they contribute to the plant’s vigorous, healthy look.

Wood:

The woody stems of ‘Antike 89’ are sturdy. The canes emerge in spring as smooth green shoots, later becoming a brown-grey with age. They are relatively straight and upright, though lower branches may arch. The branch architecture is moderately open. Older wood tends to be thick and robust enough to support the many blooms it bears. Over time, the plant can develop a tree-like form of a central trunk with side branches. It is recommended to prune out old wood annually or at least every few years, which rejuvenates the cane structure. After pruning, new vigorous shoots quickly form from the base if an own-root plant is cut back hard.

Prickles:

The canes and stems bear numerous hardy prickles. These prickles are moderately sized, straight to slightly hooked, and are distributed densely along the new growth and older wood. While not unusually large in individual size, the abundance of prickles gives the climbing canes a rough texture. They tend to curve backward slightly and can catch on clothing or skin if not handled with gloves. Such prickly nature is typical for a vigorous climber of this type, and it serves to deter browsing by animals. Note that the dense foliage will often obscure many of the smaller thorns when the plant is leafy, but in winter the bare canes will reveal all.

Small prickles:

Under normal growing conditions the smaller prickles are absent on the main canes and on the laterals from the main canes of this rose variety.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

Rose variety ‘Antike 89’ has a reputation for being reasonably healthy, but it is not immune to disease. It shows moderate tolerance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust in field trials without fungicides sprays. In many gardens this level of tolerance means the foliage stays quite clean, provided the plant has air circulation and is not in excessively humid conditions. Indeed, one description calls the foliage “very healthy”. In practice, no cultivar requires more care than a typical modern climber – occasional spraying can keep it pristine in regions with heavy disease pressure.

It is winter-hardy to about USDA zone 4b (around –29 to –32 °C), which corresponds to H7 by RHS rating scale, so it survives most northern winters without special protection. In summer heat, it holds up well, though watering during prolonged drought is highly advisible. Wind tolerance is good: the sturdy canes and strong root system allow it to withstand windy exposures better than many ramblers.

The name “Antike 89” comes from the German word “Antike,” meaning “antique” or “old‑fashioned”, combined with the year of its first commercial release - 1989. The synonym “Antique 89” or simply “Antique” is sometimes used in English contexts, but the official Kordes cultivar designation remains “Antike 89” or KORdalen.

According to available records, ‘Antike 89’ has not earned any major horticultural awards or trial medals. It is not listed as an ADR (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung) winner, nor has it received All‑America Rose Selection or similar honors. Its cultivation success has been in gardens rather than in formal competitions.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' was bred by the noted rose firm W. Kordes’ Söhne of Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. It was created around 1987 and registered in 1988, with first commercial introduction in 1989. According to Kordes records, this rose was received by cross pollinating two unnamed and unpatented rose seedlings of the following origin:

  the seed parent is a result of crossing the seed parent - Climbing rose variety ’Grand Hotel’ with the pollen parent - Climbing rose variety ’Sympathie’;

  the pollen parent is a result of crossing the seed parent - unnamed rose seedling with the pollen parent -Floribunda rose variety ’Arthur Bell’;

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In the historical context of rose breeding, ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' typifies the later-20th-century Large Flowered Climbers that aimed to blend old-rose aesthetics with modern performance. The Large Flowered Climber category was developed in Europe to produce roses with lush, rose-like blossoms that could repeat bloom on tall vines. Kordes was instrumental in popularizing such roses, and ‘Antike 89’ stands out by its dramatic two-tone coloring. Among modern climbers still sold, it is one of the few from Kordes of that era combining white and red. It also fits in with Kordes’ philosophy of reliable, easy-care roses, and it has been noted for bringing nostalgic charm while offering robust remontancy and cold hardiness.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' is distinguished by its large, very double bicolor blooms and vigorous climbing habit. It presents a unique blend of traits valued in gardens: it couples an old-fashioned bloom form and pattern with the continuous blooming and health of a modern hybrid. The flowers - creamy-white cupped petals edged in carmine-red - and the lush, dark foliage together provide high ornamental impact. The plant’s robust constitution and resilience in cold climates make it a reliable landscape rose. This rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  very full, large bi-color blooms – creamy‑white petals edged vivid carmine‑red which borne in clusters;

  profuse, repeat flowering throughout the season, with generous flushes and a strong second bloom;

  vigorous climbing habit with tall, arching canes, up to 3 - 4 m, and dense, glossy dark-green foliage providing lush coverage;

  good winter hardiness and reasonably good disease resistance for a robust garden performer;

  essentially no fragrance, making it a cultivar chosen for visual display and nostalgic charm rather than scent.

This rose is typically propagated by grafting or cuttings - Kordes sells it mainly as an own‑root shrub. Home gardeners can take hardwood cuttings of mature canes and root them, or bud scions onto hardy rootstock. Own‑root cuttings are especially encouraged, as the variety resprouts vigorously from the base if cut back hard. These propagation methods are standard for large‑flowered climbers and work well with this cultivar, which readily establishes and grows as a true own‑root plant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Climbing rose ’Grand Hotel’ (McGredy, 1972), one of the seed grandparents, is a tall red climber with 41+ petals and a strong tea fragrance. In comparison, ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' has fewer visible red tones, mostly at petal edges, and virtually no scent. ’Grand Hotel’s flowers are solid deep red, whereas ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' are creamy-white-centered. On the seed side, “Sympathie” (Kordes, 1964) produces medium-dark red, 20‑petal blooms, quite different from the 40+ petal bicolored blooms of ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89'.

On the pollen parent side, ’Arthur Bell’ is a bright yellow Floribunda with an intense perfume; none of its yellow or fragrance qualities appear in ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89'. Thus, ‘KORdalen’ / 'Antike 89' inherits robust growth and repeat flowering from its parents, but its unique color blend and lack of fragrance distinguish it clearly from each of them.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among roses still widely offered in commerce, ‘Handel’ is the most useful comparator for ‘Antike 89’. ‘Händel’ shares the essential garden attributes that make the comparison meaningful: repeat flowering, climbing growth, dark foliage, and pale blooms distinctly margined with deeper pink-red tones. Both cultivars are therefore suitable where a bicolour climbing rose is wanted for a wall, pillar, arch, or trellis.

The visual character of the two roses is nevertheless quite different. ‘Handel’ usually opens from long, elegant buds into creamy-white flowers, often with a soft yellow cast near the centre and rose-pink to cerise margins. Its colouring may vary noticeably with temperature and light, becoming clearer and stronger in warm conditions. The flowers are double and attractively ruffled, but generally less densely petalled than those of ‘Antike 89’. By contrast, ‘Antike 89’ produces very full, rounded, cup-shaped blooms, commonly with more than forty petals. Its creamy-white ground colour and broad, carmine-red edging create a richer and more emphatic bicolour effect; at a distance, the flowers can read as predominantly red with pale illumination from within.

‘Antike 89’ also tends to present a more nostalgic floral style. Its blooms are fuller, more rounded, and more reminiscent of the densely petalled Old rose or English rose aesthetic, especially when produced in clusters. ‘Handel’ is usually more refined and linear in expression: its bloom form retains greater definition from bud to opening, while the coloured petal margin is often sharper and more graphic. Neither cultivar should be selected principally for perfume, since both are generally described as having little or no fragrance.

In growth and garden use, the two roses overlap rather than differ absolutely. Both can develop into substantial climbers when well established and properly trained, and both benefit from the horizontal or fan-shaped tying-in of main canes to increase the number of flowering laterals. ‘Antike 89’ is often valued for its dense floral mass and luxuriant, romantic effect, making it particularly effective on larger arches, broad fences, pergolas, and informal cottage-style structures. ‘Handel’, with its cleaner flower outline and more delicate colour contrast, is especially appropriate where a lighter, more composed display is preferred, including narrow pillars, formal trellises, and planting schemes based on white, blush, and silver foliage.

Commercial hardiness ratings commonly place ‘Antike 89’ in a slightly colder range than ‘Handel’, although actual winter performance depends greatly on rootstock, soil drainage, snow cover, exposure, and the maturity of the plant. In practical terms, ‘Antike 89’ is the more opulent choice: a vigorous, heavily flowered climber whose broad red-and-white petals create a lavish curtain of bloom. ‘Handel’ remains the more restrained alternative, offering a softer, more finely delineated bicolour pattern and a graceful, traditional climbing-rose presence.

USDA 4

USDA Zone 5 - hardiness guide