Climbing roses are versatile plants with long, arching canes that can be trained on walls, trellises, and pergolas. Unlike Rambling Roses, most Climbing Roses usually repeat flower throughout summer and fall. Most bloom two or more times every season: first on old canes, and then on the current season’s growth. However, few cultivars bloom continuously throughout the growing season.
Nothing sets off a house like a Climbing Rose in full bloom trained against the walls or draping the porch. Climbing Roses are a versatile and visually stunning group of roses known for their ability to cover walls, trellises, arches, pergolas, and fences.
With their long, arching canes and vibrant blooms, they add vertical interest and romantic charm to any garden. Available in a wide range of colors, forms, and fragrances, climbing roses are a popular choice for gardeners seeking to create lush, floral backdrops or highlight architectural features.
Unlike true climbers like ivy, climbing roses do not have tendrils or suction cups to attach themselves to surfaces. Instead, they rely on their long canes to be trained and secured to a support structure. This makes them ideal for creative garden designs emphasizing height and layered beauty.
Climbing roses are characterized by their long, flexible canes and spectacular blooms. These roses produce flowers that range from small, single blossoms to large, double blooms. Depending on the variety, flowers may appear singly or in clusters, with some roses being heavily scented, adding to their allure.
The blooming season for climbing roses typically spans from late spring to fall, with some varieties flowering in flushes throughout the season while others bloom once in a dramatic display.
The foliage of climbing roses is usually dark green and glossy, providing a striking contrast to their vibrant blooms. While they are not true climbers, their flexible growth habit allows gardeners to train and secure them to structures, creating breathtaking vertical gardens. Whether used as a standalone feature or combined with other plants, climbing roses offer timeless beauty and versatility.
Climbing roses can be divided into two main types: Climbing Roses and Rambling Roses. Each type has unique growth habits and blooming characteristics that suit different garden designs and purposes.
Climbing roses are characterized by their repeat blooming nature and large, showy flowers. They typically grow 6–12 ft. (180–360 cm) long and will spread about 3–4 ft. (90–120 cm), making them well-adapted to small gardens. These roses are perfect for structures like walls, trellises, and fences.
Most climbing Roses produce an abundance of large, single, or clustered, often fragrant flowers. They usually repeat flower throughout summer and fall, blooming two or more times every season: first on old canes and then on the current season’s growth.
As a result of interbreeding efforts, several ever-blooming Climbing Roses now produce flowers all summer, providing a show-stopping floral display. From early summer to fall, these beauties bloom repeatedly until the first frost.
If your heart is set on a Climbing Rose that does not flower continuously, you may want to extend its season of interest by combining it with Clematis or Honeysuckle to fill the gaps. Learn how to combine roses and clematis and create a dramatic effect.
Climbing Roses require more care and attention than Rambling Roses. They need annual pruning and training to maintain their shape and encourage blooms.
Examples:
Ramblers are more vigorous than climbing roses, producing long, arching canes growing up to 20–30 ft. (6–9 meters). They typically bloom once a year in early summer, creating a spectacular display of small flowers in large clusters. Their abundant blooms are worth the wait, and they are well-suited for informal, natural-style gardens. Ramblers are ideal for covering large areas, such as pergolas, arches, or unsightly walls, where their sprawling growth can be fully appreciated.
Unlike Climbing Roses, Ramblers require less maintenance but need ample space to grow naturally. Their dramatic, once-a-year blooms make them a favorite for gardeners seeking a stunning floral display with minimal upkeep.
Examples:
Hardiness |
5 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers, Roses |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Climbing Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Wall-Side Borders, Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
fotoksa / 123RF Stock Photo
Hardiness |
5 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers, Roses |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Climbing Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Wall-Side Borders, Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!