Rosa (Climbing Rose Group)
Climbing roses are vigorous roses trained on supports to display long canes and abundant flowers. They do not cling; they need tying and training to fences, arbors, or wires. Best performance comes in full sun with well drained soil across North America. Many cultivars are hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9, with selection important at the cold edge. Bloom patterns vary: some flower once on old wood, while many repeat through the season. Training canes near horizontal encourages more flowering laterals.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Climbing Rose
- Height × spread: 8–15 ft × 4–8 ft (2.4–4.6 m × 1.2–2.4 m), trained length
- Bloom window: late spring to fall on repeat types; once in early summer on old‑wood types
- Color & flower form: variable; large‑flowered or clustered depending on cultivar
- Fragrance: 2 noticeable (varies by cultivar)
- USDA hardiness: zones 5 to 9 typical; choose hardy selections in colder sites
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; many climbers arise as sports or selections from other classes
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Long canes trained to structures rather than self‑supporting shrubs
- Flowering concentrated on lateral shoots from trained canes
- Includes both repeat bloomers and once‑blooming forms
- Many cultivars originated as climbing sports of bush roses
Strengths
- Covers vertical spaces and frames entries
- Spectacular seasonal displays on trained canes
- Can produce ample cut stems on repeat types
- Adds height without heavy structures when tied well
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun with airflow; sturdy support in place before planting
- Soil and pH: fertile, well drained soil at pH 6.5 to 7.0
- Water: deep weekly watering while establishing; avoid wetting foliage
- Feeding: balanced fertilizer in spring; light midsummer feed in long seasons
- Pruning: tie new canes and fan them; prune once‑bloomers after flowering; lightly prune repeat types in late winter
- Overwintering: in cold zones, lay and cover canes or wrap on supports to prevent winter injury
Watch‑outs
- Requires regular tying and selective pruning for best bloom
- Cane winter damage is possible in cold and windy exposures
- Susceptible to common rose diseases without airflow
Best uses (tags)
arbors, trellises, fences, pergolas, screens
Provenance note
Many modern climbers are climbing sports of bush roses or selections that naturally produce long canes. Training stems near horizontal greatly increases bloom on laterals.
References
- University of Missouri Extension – Roses: Selecting and Planting (climber definition).
- K‑State Research and Extension, Johnson County – Climbing Roses (winter care and training).
- Royal Horticultural Society – Climbing roses (sports and training).
- ASPCA – Rose (Rosa spp.) non‑toxic to pets.
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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