Elmshorn rose
Rosa 'Elmshorn'
Elmshorn rose (Rosa 'Elmshorn') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 5–6 ft tall and 4 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. A vigorous old Kordes shrub rose (1951) with arching canes of small, deep-pink pompom clusters that repeat into fall. Big and tough. Seen at Denver Botanic Gardens.
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Rosa 'Elmshorn'
- Variety / cultivar
- Elmshorn
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 5–6 ft tall and 4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Privacy screen
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Bloom color
- pink, red
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Blackspot and powdery mildew
- Japanese beetle
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Give it deep, regular water the first two seasons and steady moisture after; mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
- Pruning: moderate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Elmshorn rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Elmshorn rose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Elmshorn rose?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- How big does Elmshorn rose get?
- It matures to about 5–6 ft tall and 4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Elmshorn rose?
- Space Elmshorn rose about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Elmshorn rose hardy on the Front Range?
- Elmshorn rose is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Elmshorn rose need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Elmshorn rose grow?
- Elmshorn rose is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Elmshorn rose native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Elmshorn rose deer-resistant?
- No. Elmshorn rose is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Elmshorn rose prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Elmshorn rose can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- Is Elmshorn rose a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as a screen. Elmshorn rose is well suited to a privacy screen or windbreak rather than a tightly clipped formal hedge.
- How long does Elmshorn rose bloom?
- Elmshorn rose reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
