Excelsa is a hybrid Wichurana rambler in the rose family (Rosaceae) bred by Michael H. Walsh of the United States in 1908. Parentage is Rosa luciae × Crimson Rambler. The common name Red Dorothy Perkins is for its resemblance to a famous old pink rambler, 'Dorothy Perkins.' This rambler will grow 9-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide. Plant in full sun in amended moist, well-drained garden soil. Pune once blooming is completed. Requires spring freeze protection. The 1-2 inch cerise crimson flowers have a white center, fade to scarlet, have a light scent and bloom in large clusters in spring or summer over several weeks. The dark green leaves are on strong pliable canes with prickles. Train this rose to a vertical surface as a trellis, fence or arbor. Use in the cottage of cutting garden. Use as a barrier or screening for privacy. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to mildew. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheRosa Climbing 'Cecile Brunner'Rosa 'Don Juan'Rosa 'Thelma'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 9 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dark green leaves
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Small, double flowers in large clusters are 1-2 inches across with 17-25 petals. Flowers once in spring or summer over several weeks. Flowers are cerise crimson with a white center that ages to scarlet.