Aloha

Where to plant. Arches, pergolas, tall trellises, house façades, fences up to 3 m. Because of its strong apple scent, plant it near an entrance, terrace or open window so you can enjoy the fragrance. It can also be trained as a very large shrub without vertical support.

Climate. Hardy to −26 °C; in USDA zone 5b (northern Polissia) — with the base protected. In the Forest-Steppe and Steppe it overwinters reliably without protection.

Care. Each spring, hard pruning of young canes and removal of old 5–6-year-old canes. Tie long canes in horizontally for abundant flowering along their full length. Preventive treatment against fungal diseases is minimal — the variety is resistant.

Name. 'Aloha' — a Hawaiian word meaning greeting, farewell and love all at once. Eugene Boerner and the firm Jackson & Perkins often gave varieties 'tropical' names in the postwar years as a sign of a new peaceful era. No direct documentation is known of who or what the rose was dedicated to.

Breeding. Bred by the American breeder Eugene S. Boerner in 1949 for Jackson & Perkins Co. (Newark, New York State). Parentage: 'Mercedes Gallart' × 'New Dawn'. Granted plant patent US PP 948 (13 June 1950).

Significance. An iconic XX century climbing rose. In 1949 Aloha was a breakthrough: one of the first climbers with repeat flowering rather than once-only blooming — this revolutionised the use of climbing roses in the garden. Valued for reliability, strong apple scent, and tolerance of partial shade and rain. A classic element of English cottage gardens and historic rose collections.