Rosa ‘Red Cascade’

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Red Cascade Climbing Rose

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rosa
Cultivar: ‘Red Cascade’

Common Names by Region

General / English: Red Cascade Climbing Rose
Horticulture / Trade: Red Cascade Miniature Climber
Informal / Garden Use: Crimson Cascade Rose, Mini Climbing Rose


Description

Growth Habit

Vigorous, fine-stemmed climbing rose with a cascading, arching form.
Produces long, flexible canes suited for trellises, fences, and walls.
Growth is moderate to fast in favorable conditions.

Size

Height: 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m) with support
Spread: 3–6 ft (90–180 cm)
Form: Trailing to climbing

Leaves

Small, compound, and finely textured.
Leaflets oval with serrated margins.
Color: bright to medium green.
Provides dense visual coverage when established.

Flowers

Small, double to semi-double blooms.
Diameter: 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm).
Color: deep crimson to dark red.
Petals velvety with occasional lighter margins.
Centers often partially hidden.

Blooms in clusters.
Repeats flowering from late spring through fall.

Fruit (Hips)

Small, round rose hips.
Color: orange-red when mature.
Formed if spent blooms are left unpruned.
Attractive to birds.


Known Range

Origin

Cultivar developed in the United States (mid-20th century breeding).
Derived from miniature rose lines adapted for climbing habit.

Habitat Range

Cultivated worldwide in temperate regions.
Common in:

  • Home gardens
  • Trellised walkways
  • Urban landscapes
  • Cottage-style plantings

Not naturally occurring in the wild.


Care / Habitat Requirements

Light

Prefers full sun (6–8 hours daily).
Tolerates light afternoon shade.
Reduced flowering in heavy shade.

Water

Moderate, consistent watering.
Allow top soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Deep watering preferred over frequent shallow watering.

Soil / Medium

Well-draining, fertile loam ideal.
Prefers:

  • Slightly acidic to neutral soil
  • High organic matter
  • Good aeration

Avoid waterlogged sites.

Temperature

Hardy to USDA Zones 5–9.
Tolerates summer heat with adequate moisture.
Winter protection recommended in colder regions.

Humidity

Prefers moderate humidity.
Good airflow reduces disease pressure.
Avoid overcrowding.


Propagation / Reproduction

Primarily propagated through:

  • Semi-hardwood cuttings (summer)
  • Hardwood cuttings (fall)
  • Bud grafting (commercial production)

Seed propagation not recommended for cultivars.


Pests / Diseases / Threats

Common Issues

  • Aphids
  • Spider mites
  • Japanese beetles
  • Thrips

Diseases

  • Black spot
  • Powdery mildew
  • Rust
  • Downy mildew (humid climates)

Environmental Stress

  • Leaf scorch (drought/heat)
  • Reduced blooms (low light)
  • Cane dieback (winter damage)

Moderate disease resistance with good care.


Additional Notes

Special Features

Compact climbing habit suitable for small spaces.
Continuous flowering through growing season.
High ornamental value in vertical gardens.
Well suited to container trellising.

Ecological Value

Provides nectar for pollinators.
Rose hips support birds.
Contributes to urban habitat diversity.

Primarily ornamental in cultivation.


Maintenance / Management

Moderate maintenance required.

  • Prune lightly in early spring
  • Remove dead and weak canes
  • Train new growth regularly
  • Deadhead for repeat blooms
  • Fertilize during growing season
  • Mulch annually

Best suited for:

  • Trellises
  • Fences
  • Pergolas
  • Arbors
  • Balcony supports
  • Container climbers


Field Notes: A Rose That Climbs Without Force

Red Cascade does not climb by strength.

It climbs by persistence.

Thin stems reach outward, searching for structure.
They curve.
They adapt.
They attach.

Then, quietly, the flowers arrive.

Deep red.
Dense.
Unapologetic.

They do not dominate space.

They inhabit it.

This is a rose that rewards patience and guidance.

Train it well, and it becomes architecture.
Ignore it, and it becomes chaos.

Not fragile.
Not aggressive.

Just responsive.

Blue Ribbon Team field notes are observations, not edicts.
Learn the place first. Then decide what it needs.

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