Rose Salita

‘Salita’ is a robust modern Climbing rose known for its vivid coral-orange blooms and vigorous repeat-flowering habit. It forms an upright, arching climber, making a showy pillar or arch-covering plant, while its large, high-centered flowers glow like flame against dark green foliage. The very double flowers appear in flushes throughout summer, often in small clusters. Although lightly fragrant, the striking color and persistent flowering make ‘Salita’ a standout in the garden, praised for its ease of growth, glossy healthy leaves, and striking color effect, which together combine ornamental impact with reliability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Salita’ is a Large-Flowered Climber rose bred by W. Kordes & Sons and introduced in 1987. It is horticulturally distinctive for introducing a saturated coral-orange-red tone into the climber class – a warm color blend new to Kordes’ portfolio at that time. The plant’s climbing habit is classic for a Hybrid Tea climber: long, strong canes produce multiple flushes of well-formed, high-centered blooms that echo Hybrid Tea lineage. Unlike many older Rambling roses, ‘Salita’ blooms repeatedly through the season, giving it extended display value in contemporary gardens. Its combination of vivid bloom color, repeat flowering and glossy disease-resistant foliage ensures it remains relevant for modern gardeners looking for drama and low maintenance. Its bold hue contrasts with more common pink or red climbers, and its health and vigor have given it a lasting place among large-flowered climbers, where it is often noted for its freedom of bloom and striking color rather than fragrance or novelty form.

FLOWERING

Rose ‘Salita’ is a repeat flowering, and blooms in flushes from late spring through summer, and often into early autumn in warm climates. Each flowering cycle brings a profusion of blooms that can nearly carpet the canes at peak. The bloom rhythm is described as strong flushes; after a rest each flush builds to produce sprays of flowers. This allows ‘Salita’ to cover fences, arbors or walls with an abundant display of orange-scarlet blooms in midsummer. Because the plant is not a once-bloomer, it can carry interest throughout the season, refreshing its display with successive flushes of flowers. The overall effect in bloom is one of intense, glowing color punctuating the vine-like form: one cluster after another of large, coral-orange roses lighting up the support structure.

Flower bud:

The flower buds of ‘Salita’ are relatively large and elongated. They typically form pointed, ovoid buds that taper at the tip, often showing a hint of the orange-red color just as the sepals start to open. The buds are carried singly or in small clusters of 3 to 5 together on fairly long, sturdy peduncles. As they develop, the sepals clasp the bud tightly and can be slightly reflexed just as the flower opens; they generally are green and may bear a bit of fine fringe on the edges. Upon opening, the buds of ‘Salita’ unfurl from a tight, high-centered point into a symmetrical bloom. In favorable weather the buds open promptly, whereas in cool or wet weather opening can be slower.

Bloom:

The flowers of ‘Salita’ are large, normally about 8 - 9 cm (3.2 - 3.5 inches) in diameter, classically high-centered like large Hybrid Tea flowers with a high-centered, gradually cupped form. The petals unfurl evenly, creating a high classic flower at first; as the flower ages it may flatten slightly at the edges but retains a broad, bowl-like shape. Petal count is generally about 30 - 40, giving the flowers a lush, full appearance, and they fall into a very double category.

The colour is pure coral-orange or orange-red: a blend of fiery red and warm orange, sometimes with a coral cast, that can appear almost neon in bright sunlight. The inner petal surfaces carry the deepest saturation; some blooms may show a slightly lighter, more apricot tone at the petal edges or base. Over time or in strong sun the color may soften a little - older petals can age to a coral-rose or salmon hue - but blooms typically retain a vivid glow.

Flowers appear singly or in small clusters of 3 - 5 on each stem. When in full flush, the plant is studded with sprays of 1 - 3 blooms on long canes, each bouquet presenting the eye-catching warm color against the foliage. ‘The overall floral effect of ‘Salita’ is dramatic and luminous, with successive clusters brightening trellises or pergolas. Once mature, it can carry dozens of open blooms at once, making a strong architectural statement in the garden.

Petals:

The petals of the rose variety ‘Salita’ are thick and firm, as is common in Large-flowered climbers. Each bloom typically has many concentric layers of petals. The texture is firm enough to last several days; petals tend not to burn or scallop badly in brief spells of heat or sun. The petal edges are smooth to slightly wavy but not torn or frilled. When just unfurled, the interior petals form a tight spiral that gradually settles into a flat rosette. As flowers age, the outer petals may reflex slightly outward, giving the open blossom a cupped shape. Petal durability is good: flowers generally hold well through hot weather, and they are able to withstand rain without immediate petal drop. In cooler climates with normal growing conditions, petals can remain intact for up to a week.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of ‘Salita’ is usually very mild, barely perceptible, only sometimes with a subtle Tea rose or slightly Fruity note that only the most sensitive noses notice. It certainly is not a strong or classic rose perfume, and it does not develop a rich scent even in heat. Thus, fragrance should not be a primary reason to grow ‘Salita’; its appeal lies in color and form.

Reproductive parts:

After flowering, ‘Salita’ can form hips (rose fruits), but these are small and not ornamentally significant; many gardeners cut off spent blooms before hips develop.

PLANT

Rose ‘Salita’ is classified among the Large-Flowered Climbing roses, a subdivision of Modern Garden Roses. It derives from Hybrid Tea parentage, which is evident in its flower form. The plant type is an upright, loosely sprawling climber. The mature and well established plants of this rose can develop canes that can reach 250 - 300 cm (8 - 10 feet) in height with support, and spread to about 120 - 150 cm (4 - 5 feet) under normal conditions. The overall structure of the plant is quite erect on vigorous canes, though older canes may arch outwards. Its growing habit in a cool or northern climate can be somewhat shrubby, but in warm climates it climbs strongly on supports. In general, ‘Salita’ is vigorous but not unmanageable; it grows at a moderate rate and does not exhaustively carpet a structure, so it is easier to contain than Rambler roses. Gardeners typically train 3 - 5 main canes on a trellis or pillar, tying new shoots as needed.

Ornamentally, ‘Salita’ combines the beauty of both its flowers and foliage: the glossy, pinnate leaves stay clean of significant blemish through much of the season, providing a lustrous background to the blooms. It prefers full sun for best flowering and leaf coloration, though it will tolerate partial shade with some reduction in bloom quantity. Pruning should focus on encouraging new basal canes: old flowering canes can be removed every few years, and annual pruning in late winter to early spring keeps the shape and encourages renewal. Standard practice is to prune this climber lightly (cutting to first or second strong bud) to promote flushes, rather than hard pruning as for shrub roses. In cold climates it is usually mulched or protected, as it benefits from some winter shelter (it is reliably hardy to at least –15 to –20 °C but flower buds can be chilled in marginal zones). On the positive side, its rapid regrowth and plentiful flowering mean any winter dieback is quickly replaced.

Training on a strong support, like trellis, arbor, pillar is recommended. Tying the cane tips along the structure early in the season yields more side shoots and flowers at different heights, hence the shrub can be flowered all along the vertical span. Because it does not tend to root itself into wood unlike true Ramblers, ‘Salita’ must be tied. Other care: it thrives in well-drained soil enriched with compost, and benefits from regular watering and moderate fertilizing during the growing season for optimum bloom.

Foliage:

The quantity of the foliage on the plants of ‘Salita’ is abundant and they are also part of its beauty. The leaves are large and glossy. New foliage and shoots are often tinged maroon or purplish when emerging, fading to green as they mature - a trait seen in many Kordes varieties. Ornamentally, the dark green leaves contrast well with its orange blossoms, and the sheen of the foliage remains an attractive trait throughout the season. The leaf health is also noted as high: blackspot and other common rose diseases appear less severe on ‘Salita’ than on many other cultivars.

Leaflets:

Leaves are large and lush, usually comprising 5, occasionally 7, glossy leaflets per leaf, with a rich deep green color. The leaflets are broadly ovate with a pointed tip and have serrated edges, the type of serration is double and large. The undersides are paler green with fine veins. Leaf size is generous compared to some hybrid teas; this gives the bush a substantial, leathery look. The terminal leaflet is slightly larger, giving a symmetrical, balanced look to the leaf. The petiolules (small petiole segments attaching each leaflet) are smooth and green, without glands or spines. The midrib and lateral veins are clearly defined on both surfaces. The leaflets have a substantial, somewhat leathery texture and are typically 5 - 8 cm long by 2 - 3 cm wide, with sizes vary by shoot vigor. The leaflets appear as classic large-leaf foliage of a Hybrid Tea climber, but with extra gloss and depth of color.

Wood:

‘Salita’ tends to develop stout canes that are initially upright but may arch slightly under their own weight when laden with bloom. New wood is often reddish-purple, especially early in the season, turning dark green with maturity. The canes are fairly smooth, bearing few warts aside from the expected prickles. Branching is moderate: when tied horizontally or at an angle, ‘Salita’ produces numerous side shoots, so it can produce a dense flowering canopy. Without tying, it can form a loose framework of 5 - 6 major canes by midsummer. Overall vigor is strong but not rampant; it does not have the rank unchecked growth of some Ramblers. In a garden its roots establish well and it will spread into a vase-like shape if left free-standing, and is sometimes grown as a free-standing garden shrub in milder areas. On supports, it climbs to fill 2 - 3 meters quickly in one season, and can reach up to 4 meters or more over several years if conditions allow. However, typically it does not need severe pruning for size control: a moderate annual prune and choice of support height usually suffice.

Prickles:

The prickles of ‘Salita’ are relatively modest and not very prominent. Major prickles on the main canes occur at intervals; they are moderately curved (hooked downward), slender, and of small to medium length, of about 5 - 15 mm long. Their color is often reddish or brownish on young wood, fading to grayish tan with age.

Small prickles:

In addition to the larger prickles, ‘Salita’ does not have smaller prickles on the main canes and on the laterals from the main canes.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

‘Salita’ is generally regarded as a healthy rose. It is one of Kordes’ modern hybrids, and the firm glossy foliage suggests good tolerance, and shows good resistance to black spot and mildew even in climates where humid weather stresses other reds. However, as with any rose, individual results vary: occasional light black spot can appear under very wet conditions, and preventative care is still prudent. ‘Salita’, like other Large-flowered climbers, prefers well-drained soil and air circulation, so plant it where leaves dry quickly after rain. Under such conditions, its observed disease tolerance is above average. It has no particular susceptibility to rust or pests noted.

In terms of abiotic stress it is rated as hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 (tolerating around –23 °C) or even into zone 5 with proper winter protection. Gardeners in cold climates often mulch or cover its base, which enhances survival, and even taking down its canes from support, bending to the ground and covering with protective coverage is strongly advised to maximize the perseverance of the flowering canes for next season. Conversely, ‘Salita’ also shows good heat tolerance, continuing to flower under hot summer sun better than some pale-colored climbers and its orange resists bleaching. Wind can occasionally break its long canes if unsupported, but this is true of most climbers.

The origin of the name ‘Salita’ is not officially explained in sources. It may incidentally resemble the Italian word “salita” meaning “ascent” or “climb,” perhaps alluding to its climbing habit, but this is speculative.

There are no widely recorded awards for ‘Salita’ in major rose trials such as the All-America Rose Selections or Royal Horticultural Society honours. It did not receive an AARS award (that program ended by 2013) and is not listed as an AGM (Award of Garden Merit) winner in published RHS documents.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Precise parentage for ‘KORmorlet’ / 'Salita' is not publicly disclosed to this date and its exact lineage is unknown. Like many Kordes releases, it appears to have been developed from an unreleased mix of Hybrid-Tea and Climbing hybrids. Therefore, we must state that the cultivar’s exact lineage is unknown. ‘Salita’ was bred by the German firm W. Kordes’ Söhne and introduced to commerce in 1987.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

By 1987, many climbing roses were typically pink, red or white; oranges and corals were less common. ‘KORmorlet’ / 'Salita' thus filled a niche. Kordes saw it as adding a bold, new shade to climbers. For color context, earlier roses like 'Georges Vibert' (a gallica, dark red, 1846) and 'Joseph’s Coat' (multicolor rambler, 1920s) had brought bright shades, but those were once-flowering or rambling types. Few repeat-climbing roses bore the intense orange-scarlet of 'Salita' in the 1980s. Because it was introduced nearly 40 years ago, Salita is no novelty, but its combination of traits (size, color, health) is still somewhat unique. It represents Kordes’ breeding philosophies of the 1980s: crossing robust ramblers with flowerful hybrid teas to produce reliable, ornamental climbers. It reflects the shift toward climbers as versatile ornamentals - usable on pergolas and arbors much like shrub roses.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Rose ‘KORmorlet’ / 'Salita' is an enduring Large-Flowered Climber from Kordes, prized for its intense coral-orange blooms and robust health. It combines the strong, repeat-blooming habit of modern climbers with a unique color intensity rare among climbing roses of its era and incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:   intensely bright, large, coral-orange very double blooms, providing a glowing, almost electric garden display;

  abundant repeat flowering in flushes wit flowers in small clusters, ensuring continuous floral impact over many weeks;

  glossy, dark green foliage with purple-tinged new growth, supplying a lustrous backdrop to flowers and indicating strong health and disease resistance;

  vigorous, upright climber growth, versatile for trellises or walls, yet manageable through moderate pruning, with good tolerance of heat and cold.

As most modern garden roses, ‘Salita’ can be propagated either by budding (grafting) onto a vigorous rootstock (such as Dr. Huey or Multiflora rootstock) or by growing it on its own roots from cuttings. In practice, many suppliers sell Salita as an own-root plant, since it roots readily from hardwood or softwood cuttings and this avoids the graft union’s vulnerability.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The precise seed and pollen parent documentation for ‘KORmorlet’ / 'Salita' is not officially published therefore, a formal parent-by-parent comparison cannot be made reliably.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

A much more meaningful commercial comparison for ‘KORmorlet’ / 'Salita' is the modern Climbing rose ’Maintower’ (‘CHEwsany’). Both ‘Salita’ and ‘Maintower’ belong to the practical garden world of vigorous, repeat-flowering climbers used on pillars, walls, arches, pergolas and strong trellises, and both appeal to gardeners seeking a saturated warm-toned rose in the orange-red to coral-red range. However ‘Salita’ is more classically Large-Flowered Climber in expression. Its flowers are large, full and Hybrid Tea like, opening from pointed buds into formal, high-centered blooms of orange-scarlet, vermilion-red or coral-orange-red. The petals are arranged with the layered discipline typical of hybrid-tea-derived climbers, and the flowers are carried singly or in small clusters, so the plant combines a climber’s scale with the recognisable flower form of a bedding or exhibition rose. Its fragrance is slight or absent, but the colour is vivid and lasting enough to make scent a secondary consideration.

‘Maintower’, by contrast, is the better modern neighbour because it occupies a similar ornamental space: a commercially available orange-red climber with a strong, upright garden role and a comparable capacity for warm vertical colour. Where ‘Salita’ has a more traditional Hybrid Tea climber character, ‘Maintower’ gives the impression of a newer-generation Climbing rose selected for vigorous display, health and garden usefulness. Its flowers are close enough in colour temperature and planting purpose to make it a realistic alternative for gardeners comparing warm climbers, but the effect is not identical. ‘Salita’ is firmer, more formal and more sharply defined in bloom outline; ‘Maintower’ may be read as the more contemporary garden climber, valued for its overall display and architectural usefulness rather than for the old-fashioned formality of each individual flower.

In planting design, the distinction is important. ‘Salita’ is preferable where the desired effect is a dramatic coral-scarlet climber with glossy dark foliage and large, individually perfect blooms. It suits positions where the flowers can be seen at eye level, such as a pillar beside a path, the side of an arch, or a wall near a terrace. ‘Maintower’ is the more appropriate comparison for gardeners who want a similar warm orange-red climbing effect but are considering a modern alternative with a related colour range and comparable use on vertical supports. Both can serve as strong accents in mixed borders, especially with blue, violet, silver or dark-leaved companions, but ‘Salita’ should be distinguished by its more classic Large-Flowered Climber identity, its luminous orange-scarlet colour, its glossy foliage, and its formal Hybrid Tea style bloom.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide