ALIBABA ® – orange climbing rose – Warner
Imagine returning home after rain to the perfume of warm apricot-orange blooms, their petals drying quickly even in gardens where rainfall and brisk breezes test less robust plants, as this climber combines resilient health with low-effort charm. Alibaba ® establishes steadily on its own roots, offering reassuring longevity and the ability to regenerate from the base if weather or pruning are less than perfect. In its first year it concentrates on roots, the second year brings confident new shoots, and by the third you enjoy its full display arching over entrances or fences with dense, dark green foliage. Large, coppery-orange, strongly scented flowers repeat in generous flushes through summer, while award-winning performance and excellent disease resistance keep care simple for busy urban households.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Terraced-house front wall or railings |
Ideal where ground space is tight but vertical space is available, this climber covers a plain wall or railings with dense foliage and scented colour, while coping reliably with wind and frequent showers for busy beginners |
| Small pergola or entrance arch |
Medium height and good repeat flowering make it a strong choice for framing a doorway or path; on its own roots it thickens gradually and lives for many seasons, becoming a stable feature for family gardeners |
| Rainwater-friendly front garden planting |
Works well in permeable, gravelled or mulched front gardens where water drains through the soil; simple care and low pruning needs suit sustainable layouts designed for urban homeowners |
| Large container on balcony or patio (50 L+) |
Performs reliably in a substantial container with a 40–50 litre minimum volume, provided regular watering is available; the repeat-flowering habit brings long-season interest for balcony gardeners |
| Focal climbing specimen on fence or trellis |
Strongly scented, coppery-orange clusters flower repeatedly, turning a plain fence into a long-season focal point; own-root growth supports steady regeneration after training or reshaping for home stylists |
| Low-maintenance family play garden backdrop |
Dense, dark green foliage and moderate prickliness create a colourful backdrop while keeping routine work minimal; reliable disease resistance reduces spraying and tidying for time-poor parents |
| Clay or chalky suburban gardens |
Tolerant of typical British garden soils once drainage is improved, it settles and then flowers repeatedly with modest feeding, rewarding straightforward planting preparation for practical beginners |
| Part-shade side return or alleyway |
Suitable for partial shade, especially where it still receives some sun, it brings colour and fragrance to side passages that are often underused, gently softening hard boundaries for courtyard owners |
Styling ideas
- Soft-Entrance Arch – Train Alibaba ® over a narrow metal arch, underplant with lavender and nepeta for a scented, bee-friendly welcome – perfect for fragrance lovers
- Urban-Romantic Rail – Let stems weave through front-garden railings, with chives and verbena stepping out in front for a light, “girly” terrace look – ideal for city trendsetters
- Clay-Garden Screen – On improved clay, pair on a trellis with hardy catmint and sage to create a low-care screen of blue and copper – suited to busy families
- Balcony-Showpiece – Grow in a 50–60 litre pot with free-draining, peat-free compost, adding trailing thyme around the base for soft edges – great for container enthusiasts
- Golden-Hedgerow Glow – Combine on a fence with Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ and ornamental grasses for long-season gold and orange contrast – appealing to colour-conscious planners
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose ‘Alibaba ®’ (Registered as CHEwalibaba), large-flowered climber / rambler type, ARS exhibition name Alibaba, part of the Climbing rose collection for walls and pergolas. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Christopher H. Warner in the United Kingdom from Arcadian × Baby Love; bred 2006, registered 2006, first distributed by Fryers Roses and introduced commercially in 2011. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated climber: Gold Standard Rose Trials Gold Standard (2007), Lyon International Rose Competition 1st prize and Fragrance award (2008), La Tacita Best climbing rose (2011), RHS AGM (2012). |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous medium climber 200–330 cm high, 80–140 cm spread; dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage, moderately thorny canes, climbing habit suited to arches, fences, pergolas and tall trellises. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, cupped blooms with 26–39 petals, slightly ruffled edges; produced in clusters with good remontancy and an abundant second flush, especially when lightly deadheaded and fed. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm copper-orange flowers with coral veil; buds bronze-orange-red, opening to peach-orange, then fading towards apricot, creamy pink and pale yellow base; colour holds better in cooler conditions than in strong heat. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent combining peachy fruit notes with classic tea-rose character; fragrance recognised in international trials, noticeable on still evenings and effective even in small front gardens. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ellipsoidal red hips, typically 12–18 mm across; not a heavy fruiting climber but hips may appear after good pollination, adding subtle autumn interest without dominating the overall effect. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Very hardy to approximately −23 to −21 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6a, Swedish Zone 3); good resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, moderate rust sensitivity; benefits from regular watering in extended drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best on well-prepared soil with decent drainage; suitable for clay or chalk once improved. Train new canes horizontally, prune lightly, water in dry spells; works in large 40–50 litre containers with support. |
Alibaba ® Climbing rose CHEwalibaba offers award-winning fragrance, repeat copper-orange flowering and reliable, long-lived own-root growth; a considered choice if you would like a graceful, low-effort climber.
