Climbing Roses Vertical beauty, elegance, and classic charm add climbing roses to walls, trellises, and arbors. Dive into this essential guide on how to choose, grow and maintain your climbing roses including the Amadeus, Eden, and Peggy Martin varieties.
What Are Climbing Roses?
These are vigorous, tall-growing roses that have long canes making them perfect for training on any support like trellises, fences and walls. These roses do not climb as real climbers do- they need help getting upward; they have no way of knowing they have something to cling to!)
Why Choose Climbing Roses?
Climbing roses will also bring height and vertical interest to your garden, making them the perfect addition for disguising unattractive walls, providing some privacy, or acting as the highlight of your garden. Their beautiful flowers and scent make them a go-to plant for gardeners due to their beauty and usefulness.
Different Types of Common Climbing Roses
One of the most important additions to your garden is climbing roses; they add color, fragrance, and trailing beauty to your garden in the form of wonderful composition on walls, trellises, and arbors. In this guide, we take a look at some of the most popular climbing rose varieties with their own unique appeal, plus a few more selections to help you choose appropriate colors, growth habits, and climates.
Amadeus Climbing Rose
The Armadeus Climbing Rose is renowned for its deep red, velvety blooms and rich fragrance. This variety flowers continuously throughout the summer and into fall, creating a show-stopping display with minimal maintenance. It’s disease-resistant and performs best in full sun, making it a resilient choice for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. With its intense, romantic color, Armadeus is perfect for those wanting a classic rose.
Eden Climbing Rose
The Eden Climbing Rose has become a garden classic, admired for its large, double blooms in delicate shades of blush pink and creamy white. Known for its long-lasting flowers and subtle fragrance, Eden is versatile, thriving in cooler climates and displaying exceptional hardiness. It’s a slow but steady grower, and its romantic blooms make it ideal for trellises and pergolas, where its pastel hues can shine in full or partial sunlight.
Peggy Martin Climbing Rose
Known as “the rose that survived Hurricane Katrina,” the Peggy Martin Climbing Rose is a symbol of resilience. This thornless variety has bright pink blooms that flourish in a wide range of climates, even in challenging conditions. With its abundant flowering and strong growth, Peggy Martin is ideal for families or gardens where thorn-free plants are preferred. It requires little maintenance and is particularly favored in southern U.S. climates but adapts well to others.
Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose
The Zephirine Drouhin Rose is a popular heirloom rose that produces large, fuchsia-pink, semi-double blooms with a sweet fragrance. Known for being nearly thornless, it’s excellent for areas where frequent pruning and maintenance might be tricky. Zephirine is tolerant of partial shade, making it suitable for spots that don’t receive full sun. This variety has a long blooming season and works well along fences, arbors, or walls, especially in cooler climates.
Iceberg Climbing Rose
The Iceberg Climbing Rose offers stunning white blooms with a light fragrance and abundant flowers that last through the growing season. It’s disease-resistant and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Iceberg is a versatile choice that adds elegance to any garden, especially when used to frame entrances or climb pergolas. Its pure white blooms provide a striking contrast when paired with colorful companion plants.
New Dawn Climbing Rose
The New Dawn Climbing Rose is loved for its pale pink blooms that are both beautiful and fragrant. This variety is known for its vigorous growth and ability to tolerate various climates, making it ideal for new gardeners or those in less predictable weather conditions. It blooms repeatedly from spring to fall and is highly resistant to diseases, adding to its popularity. New Dawn’s light pink flowers create a timeless and serene look.
Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose
The Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose is distinguished by its clusters of small, pale pink blooms that look almost like miniatures. Known as “The Sweetheart Rose,” it produces masses of flowers throughout the summer and is low-maintenance and adaptable. This rose grows best in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for arid climates. Cecile Brunner is perfect for those who prefer a more delicate, cottage-style rose.
Don Juan Climbing Rose
The Don Juan Climbing Rose is a standout for its bold, dark red, and fragrant blooms. This rose is a favorite for adding romance to garden landscapes with its intense color and glossy foliage. Thriving in full sun, Don Juan requires support on trellises or fences and produces continuous blooms from spring through fall. It’s a relatively low-maintenance rose, suitable for those who want dramatic colors without much fuss.
Planting Climbing Roses
Choosing the Right Spot
Climbing roses need plenty of sunlight, ideally 6-8 hours per day. While some varieties tolerate partial shade, full sun encourages the most vibrant blooms. Ensure good air circulation to prevent diseases like powdery mildew.
Soil Preparation
Climbing roses thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0-6.5). Before planting, enrich the soil with compost or organic matter. Adding rose fertilizer also provides essential nutrients for growth.
Planting Technique
- Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
- Position the rose so that the graft union is just above the soil level.
- Backfill with soil, ensuring roots are fully covered and secure.
- Water thoroughly to encourage establishment.
Training and Supporting Climbing Roses
Creating a Support System
Climbing roses require strong support like trellises, arbors, or fences. Use horizontal wires or wooden structures spaced 12-15 inches apart to allow easy training of the canes.
Proper Training Techniques
Gently tie the main canes to the support structure with garden twine or soft ties, angling canes slightly outward for even growth. Aim to spread the canes horizontally to maximize flowering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid using rigid or tight ties that may damage the canes. Also, don’t allow canes to grow without guidance, as this will result in fewer blooms and a tangled appearance.
Pruning and Maintenance Tips
- Pruning Basics for Climbing Roses
Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or weak canes. Shape the plant by cutting back overgrown branches, which will encourage new growth and blooms.
- Deadheading and Shaping
Regularly remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers and keep the plant tidy. Use sharp pruners to avoid damaging the stems.
- Regular Maintenance
Water climbing roses deeply, especially during dry periods, and fertilizes in spring and summer. Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Pest and Disease Management
- Common Pests
Climbing roses are susceptible to aphids, Japanese beetles, and spider mites. A strong blast of water can remove many pests, and neem oil or insecticidal soap helps control infestations.
- Diseases in Climbing Roses
Powdery mildew, black spots, and rust are common fungal diseases affecting climbing roses. Regular pruning and good airflow help prevent disease. Treat with fungicides if necessary.
- Organic Control Methods
Incorporate companion plants like lavender or marigold to deter pests naturally. Ladybugs and other beneficial insects can also help manage aphids and mites.
Bloom Time and Seasonal Care
- Spring Preparation
In early spring, apply rose fertilizer and prune climbing roses to encourage healthy new growth. Check for pests as the weather warms up, and treat if needed.
- Summer Bloom Maintenance
Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooms, and keep soil consistently moist. Water roses in the morning to prevent leaf mold.
- Winter Protection
In colder climates, add a thick layer of mulch around the base to insulate roots. Cover the base with burlap if temperatures drop significantly, and consider bringing container roses to a sheltered location.
Designing Your Garden with Climbing Roses
Choosing Color Combinations
Pair climbing roses with complementary colors like purple clematis, lavender, or white jasmine for a multi-dimensional look. For Armadeus roses, shades of pink and white provide a classic contrast.
Creating Vertical Interest
Use climbing roses to frame entryways, cover arbors, or enhance walls. Their height adds elegance and structure, turning any garden space into a picturesque display.
Landscaping Tips
Mix climbing roses with shrubs, perennials, and ground cover plants for a layered look. Place roses in spots where their beauty can shine, like near patios or along pathways.
Do climbing roses bloom all season?
Some varieties bloom continuously, while others have one or two main blooming periods.
Are climbing roses suited for all climates?
Many varieties adapt well to various climates but check the hardiness zone recommendations for each type.
Can I plant climbing roses in containers?
Yes, but choose compact varieties and ensure they receive adequate sunlight and water.
Quick Tips for Healthier Roses
- Ensure adequate sunlight and airflow.
- Regularly check for pests and diseases.
- Prune and deadhead to encourage healthy growth and blooms.
Final Verdict
Growing climbing roses brings elegance, color, and fragrance to your garden, transforming vertical spaces into lush landscapes. From the resilient Peggy Martin to the romantic Eden rose, there’s a climbing rose for every gardener’s style. With the right care and support, these roses will grace your garden with blooms season after season.
Ready to add climbing roses to your garden? Start your journey to a beautiful, blooming landscape with the climbing rose that best fits your vision!