Handel is a vigorous hybrid climbing rose in the rose family (Rosaceae). Bred by Samuel Greedy IV in 1960 and was introduced to the UK in 1965 as 'Händel'. Parentage is Columbine x Heidelberg. Handel will grow 5- 11 feet tall with a 5–8-foot spread. It prefers full sun on fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Prune in late winter to early spring and apply fertilizer in spring and summer. Mulch will help retain moisture. The creamy flowers have rose-pink edges and little to no fragrance. It will repeat bloom throughout the season. The glossy dark green foliage is on canes with spines. Use this plant on any vertical surface as a screen for privacy or a specimen. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to mildew and black spot. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse the plant. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 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 nicheFallopia aubertiiRosa America™ 'JACclam'Rosa Westerland 'KORwest'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Rose
Life cycle
Perennial
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
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy bronzed dark green compound leaves
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Creamy white with rose-pink edges are 3-4 inches across with 22-30 petals and a mild to no fragrance. They bloom in mall clusters or high-centered double blooms. Repeat blooms throughout the season.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Green canes with prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#privacy #bicolor #showy flowers #cutting garden #vigorous #specimen #fence #trellis #climbing rose #full sun #arbor #high maintenance #screen