Rosa x wichuraiana 'Excelsa'

The 'Excelsa' Rose, often called Red Dorothy Perkins, has many similarities with the latter, but it differs in the colour of its flowering, from cherry-red to bright crimson. Despite its susceptibility to powdery mildew and late summer flowering, this old climbing rose remains one of the most well-known and appreciated by gardeners worldwide. Being double, its small, pompon-like red flowers are gathered in hanging bouquets along the branches, forming stunning garlands on the support provided for them. This climbing rose with an open habit is versatile; it can also be trained as a large bush or form an extensive ground cover according to each gardener's preferences.

This exceptional climbing rose is an American creation by Walsh, dating back to 1909. Strictly speaking, it is not an old rose, as its creation is later than 1867, but it has all the characteristics of one and is classified as such. This horticultural hybrid belongs to the complex family of Rosa Wichuraiana. The Asian ancestor of this family of excellent climbing roses, Rosa luciae, forms thickets in coastal regions and seaside cliffs and grows on limestone soil. It has passed on some fascinating characteristics to them, such as shiny and dark foliage, beautiful vigour, and a unique but very generous flowering. 'Excelsa' is the result of crossing between Rosa luciae and the rose 'Crimson Rambler'.

'Excelsa' develops long, erect, green, and prickly stems, flexible enough to be trained. It has a bushy and open habit, easily reaching 4 m (13ft) in height with a minimum spread of 2 m (7ft). Its long stems are flexible and covered with a glossy and leathery foliage divided into seven thin leaflets, unfortunately often disfigured by white powdery mildew spots, just like Dorothy Perkins and its distant cousin Rosa banksia Alba Plena. The plant's vigour is such that this disease seems to neither affect nor prevent it from blooming. The numerous small double rosettes of 'Excelsa', 3 cm (1in) wide, appear in June-July and continue for four weeks, almost obscuring the foliage. They are born on short shoots of the 2nd year in bouquets of 10 to 30 buds. Their colour is an intense red. Dazzling, they are unfortunately scentless. This hybrid does not produce fruits.

'Excelsa' is a timeless rose with a striking charm that radiates under the summer sun. It is invited to the garden for its robustness and floribundity. Like other climbers, it is incomparable for adorning a gate, fences, and small pergolas. Still, its vigorous growth also allows it to grow without support in a flowering hedge alongside a vigorous clematis like 'jackmanii Alba' or 'Prince Charles', to spread out on a lawn gracefully, or to be planted behind too strict flower beds. It is an ideal companion for dead trees that it will revive or sheds that give a charming touch. Trained on an arch, installed on an unsightly fence or a somewhat austere shed, it dresses up the smallest decor without demanding much effort from the one who planted it.