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Pretty Climbing Roses for your Garden

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.

Climbing Roses, Rambler Roses, Rambling Roses, Great Roses, Top Roses, Best roses for walls, Best roses for pergolas, Best roses for fences, Best roses for Arbors, Best roses for Arches

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 Description

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.


Types of Climbing Roses

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

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:

Rambling Roses or Ramblers

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:

Key Differences

  • Growth Habit: Climbing roses are less vigorous and more manageable, while ramblers are sprawling and require ample space.
  • Blooming Habit: Climbing roses are repeat bloomers, flowering throughout the season, while ramblers bloom once in early summer in a dramatic display.
  • Care Needs: Climbing roses need regular pruning and training, while ramblers require less maintenance but need space to grow naturally.
  • Learn about the differences between Rambling Roses and Climbing Roses.

Guide Information

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

Popular Climbing Roses for your Garden

Great Climbing Roses for Stunning, Continuous Blooms

Design Ideas for Climbing Roses

Climbing roses offer endless design possibilities, transforming gardens with their height, color, and fragrance. Here are some creative ideas:

Covering Walls and Fences

Climbing roses are perfect for softening the appearance of bare walls and fences. Training roses like Rosa ‘New Dawn’ or Rosa ‘Don Juan’ along a wall adds a romantic, timeless charm to your outdoor space. They also provide privacy and act as living insulation.

Romantic Arches and Pergolas

Create a dramatic garden entrance or a shaded walkway by training climbing roses over an arch or pergola. Varieties like Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’, with its thornless stems and pink blooms, are ideal for areas where people may brush against the plant.

Vertical Accents

Add height and structure to garden beds by growing climbing roses on trellises or obelisks. This technique works particularly well in small gardens, where vertical planting maximizes space.

Layered Gardens

Combine climbing roses with other climbers, like clematis, for a layered effect. The intertwined blooms of roses and clematis create a striking visual impact.

Cottage Garden Aesthetic

Enhance the charm of a cottage garden by planting climbing roses alongside perennials like lavender, delphiniums, and foxgloves. This creates a lush, colorful, and informal look.

Rose, Clematis, English Rose, Pink Rose, Lavender Clematis


Companion Planting

Companion planting with climbing roses not only enhances their visual appeal but also promotes a healthier garden by deterring pests, improving soil health, and attracting beneficial insects. Here are some ideal companions for climbing roses:

Clematis

Clematis is a classic companion for climbing roses. Its twining habit and complementary blooms intertwine beautifully with rose canes. Choose varieties with contrasting or harmonious colors, such as purple clematis with yellow roses or white clematis with pink roses. If both roses and clematis bloom during the same period, you get twice the flower power and enrich the color palette of one single garden spot. If you select roses and clematis with different flowering periods, you will be extending their spectacular color show over a longer period of time. In both cases, you win!

Lavender

Lavender pairs well with climbing roses, adding a touch of elegance and fragrance to the garden. This Mediterranean shrub is known for its insect-repelling properties, effectively deterring aphids and other pests that can harm roses. Additionally, its nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion plant.

Delphinium

Delphinium is a perennial known for its tall, majestic spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, blooming from early summer to fall. These towering blooms provide dramatic vertical interest and contrast beautifully with the rounded forms of rose blossoms. The cool hues of delphiniums complement warm-toned roses, creating a balanced and visually striking garden display. Ideal for mixed borders, delphiniums enhance the elegance of rose beds and contribute to a romantic, cottage-style garden aesthetic.

Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)

Foxgloves are biennials or short-lived perennials that produce tall spires of bell-shaped flowers in pastel shades, blooming from late spring to midsummer. Their soft, ethereal appearance pairs wonderfully with roses, offering a layered and textured look. The vertical growth of foxgloves adds height and structure to rose gardens, while their delicate flowers contrast with the boldness of rose blooms. Perfect for cottage or wildlife-friendly gardens, foxgloves bring charm and sophistication to any rose planting scheme.

Catmint (Nepeta)

Catmint’s low-growing habit and lavender-blue flowers create a beautiful underplanting for climbing roses. Its drought-tolerant nature and ability to attract pollinators make it a practical and attractive choice. Catmint is a powerful ally for roses, both for its pest-repelling and pollinator-attracting properties. It draws lacewings and hoverflies, beneficial insects that feed on aphids and help protect roses from infestations. Additionally, its distinctive scent deters rabbits that might nibble on your plants.

Alliums

Alliums, with their spherical blooms, add architectural interest to rose beds. They are also known for their insect-repelling properties and are often planted in gardens to keep insects at bay. Their strong scent repels aphids, Japanese beetles, mosquitoes, and other pests, making it a natural and effective alternative to chemical insecticides. Alliums are excellent companion plants for roses and among the best spring flowers to spruce up your garden.

Salvia

Salvias (Salvia spp.) bring vibrant blue, purple, or red blooms, providing a striking contrast to pink roses. They thrive in similar growing conditions, offering pest control, beneficial insect attraction, and visual harmony in the garden. The aromatic foliage deters aphids and Japanese beetles, while its nectar-rich flowers invite pollinators and predatory insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps. Salvia’s upright growth improves airflow around roses, reducing fungal diseases such as black spot. Discover the top benefits of growing Salvia in your garden.

Cottage Garden, roses, salvia, lady's mantle, garden border, pink flowers, purple flowersRoses, Salvia, Catmint, and Lady’s Mantle


How to Care for Climbing Roses

Proper care is essential to keep climbing roses healthy and productive. Here are the basics:

Pruning

Prune climbing roses in late winter or early spring to remove dead, damaged, or weak canes. Train the strongest canes horizontally to encourage lateral growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers during the growing season to promote repeat blooming.

Watering

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Water deeply at the base once or twice a week, avoiding overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Feeding

Fertilize climbing roses regularly with a balanced rose fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) during the growing season. Supplement with compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.

Pest and Disease Management

Inspect plants regularly for signs of pests like aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to manage infestations. Prevent diseases like black spot and powdery mildew by ensuring good air circulation and watering at the base.  

Winter Protection

In colder regions, protect climbing roses during winter by mulching around the base and wrapping the canes in burlap to prevent frost damage.

English Roses, Rose Teasing Georgia, Rosa Teasing Georgia, Yellow English Roses, Achillea Paprika, Yarrow PaprikaRosa ‘Teasing Georgia’, Achillea ‘Paprika’


Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly does a climbing rose grow?

Climbing roses grow at different rates depending on the variety and growing conditions. On average, they can grow 3–6 feet (1–2 meters) per year once established. Vigorous varieties may grow even faster, especially when planted in ideal conditions with full sun, rich soil, and proper care.


What’s the difference between a climbing rose and a rambling rose?

Growth Habit:

  • Climbing roses have thicker, less vigorous canes that typically grow 6–12 feet (1.8–3.6 meters) long.
  • Rambling roses are more vigorous with long, flexible canes that can reach 20–30 feet (6–9 meters).

Blooming Habit:

  • Climbing roses are usually repeat bloomers, flowering throughout the growing season.
  • Rambling roses often bloom once a year, in early summer, with a profusion of small flowers.

Care Needs:

  • Climbing roses need regular pruning and training to encourage blooms.
  • Ramblers require less maintenance but need space to grow naturally.

Where is the best place to plant a climbing rose?

The best place to plant a climbing rose is in full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily) with good air circulation to prevent disease. Choose a location with well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Plant near a structure such as a trellis, pergola, or wall for support, and ensure the base is shaded to keep the roots cool.


Should climbing roses be cut back every year?

Yes, climbing roses should be pruned annually to maintain their shape, encourage blooming, and prevent overgrowth. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Retain the strongest canes and train them horizontally to promote lateral flowering shoots.


What is the lifespan of a climbing rose?

With proper care, climbing roses can live 30 years or more. Regular pruning, feeding, and disease prevention are key to maintaining their health and vigor over the decades.


Are climbing roses high maintenance?

Climbing roses require moderate maintenance. They need:

  • Annual pruning to shape and encourage blooms.
  • Regular training to secure canes on supports.
  • Feeding every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.
  • Pest and disease monitoring (e.g., aphids, black spot).

While they require attention, their beauty and versatility make them worth the effort.

Garden Examples

A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis montana Grandiflora
A Super Climbing Duo with Crimson Roses and Purple Clematis
A Super Climbing Duo with Clematis ‘Ernest Markham’

Recommended Guides

Climbing or Rambler Roses for my Garden?
20 Orange Roses: A Burst of Sunshine for Your Garden
13 Beautiful Purple Roses to Add Elegance to Your Garden
28 Beautiful White Roses to Illuminate Your Garden and Home
38 Beautiful Yellow Roses to Enrich Your Garden and Home
50 Pink Roses to Add Grace, Fragrance, and Romance to Your Garden
Rose Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Roses
39 Stunning Red Roses to Enrich Your Garden
Underplanting Roses – Companion Plants for Roses
Combining Roses and Clematis
All America Rose Selections Winners
Pretty Rambler Roses for your Garden
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Rose) Rosa (Climbing Roses)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

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
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Rose) Rosa (Climbing Roses)

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