Rosa Polka - Climbing Rose

The Rose Polka (Meitosier) is a vigorous climbing rose whose growth, initially slow, accelerates after 2 to 3 years and then never weakens. It has many charms. Its roses, large and double, shaped in the old-fashioned way, in shades of orange, display a very modern colour, both vibrant and pastel, warm and soft: they are absolutely unique. Very recurrent, slightly fragrant, this rose will quickly become indispensable. It will be enhanced against a facade, on a fence, or in a small tree.

This Rose Polka will reach at least 2.50 m (8ft), even up to 4 m (13ft) in height if the conditions are met and it is not severely pruned. It is a repeat flowering variety that blooms from May-June until the first frost, provided it doesn't lack water. The plant itself is robust, tolerating poor and dry soils fairly well, although this is at the expense of flowering. It produces long, thorny branches, strong enough to support the weight of the flowers. The foliage is very pleasant, composed of leaflets of a bright and shiny green. This foliage, very healthy at the beginning of the season, is still somewhat sensitive to diseases in very wet weather and at the end of the season. The flowering is abundant. The flowers are gathered in clusters. They measure 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5in) in diameter and are composed of 40 to 50 imbricated petals. Their colour is a gradient of soft orange tones: light mandarin orange, apricot, light salmon orange, orange cream. They emit a light fruity fragrance. 'Polka' is capable of flowering throughout the summer, in successive waves, and its autumn regrowth is truly beautiful.

The rose Polka by Meilland can be grown as a climber, but also as a shrub, according to the tastes of each gardener. It creates sumptuous flowering throughout the summer period and requires very little maintenance, except for regular watering in summer in case of high heat and prolonged drought. It will benefit from not being pruned too much. Pair it with another small climbing rose with white flowers, for example Alaska, Climbing Iceberg, Opalia, or associate it with easy-to-grow large-flowered clematis like 'Etoile Violette' or 'Blue River'. This climbing rose 'Polka' can be happily associated with the Westerland rose.

Obtained by Jacques Mouchotte for Meilland, 1991