If you love roses and are looking for a vertical accent for your garden, try climbing roses. The best climbing roses have all the attributes of rose bushes, but their gorgeous blooms and accompanying intoxicating aroma ascend towards the heavens. They look especially stunning when growing over pergolas or obelisks, but any climbing structure – be it trellis or fence – provides them with the support they need to show off their splendid blooms.
There is much to consider when growing climbing roses. To make the right choice for your garden, you will want to look at the bloom type and color, fragrance notes, whether it's a single or repeat bloomer, and even if it has thorns or not. In addition, there are practical considerations, such as required light exposure, size at maturity, the support needed, and your USDA hardiness zone.
Learning how to grow roses is a labor of love, and climbing roses are no exception. Although different in growth habit, they have the same growing requirements as other types of roses. Keep reading to decide on the best climbing roses for your landscape.
Types of Climbing Roses
Some vertically growing roses are climbers, and others are rambling roses. What’s the difference? Climbers have single large flowers that are usually repeat blooming, while ramblers typically have smaller sprays of flowers that only bloom once a season. Ramblers tend to be more vigorous than climbers.
Within these two categories, vertically growing roses are further defined by the terms English climbing, climbing tea, noisette, and other varieties like polyanthus or floribundas that can be trained to climb.
Discover expert-curated rose selections from trusted suppliers in the Gardening Know How Shop, including climbers, hybrids, and shrub varieties.
Best Climbing Roses to Grow
While there are an impossible number of climbing rose varieties – too many to count – it is estimated that there are over 30,000 cultivated varieties, all of which originate from 150 wild species, so you’re sure to find one (if not a dozen!) suited to you.
I've grown a huge number of roses in my time as a gardener. Here are my top 12 climbing rose varieties to get you started.
1. Florentina
‘Florentina’ is a hardy, disease-resistant climber that is classically red with glossy, dark green leaves. It's a more compact variety, perfect for smaller spaces, and thrives in USDA zones 5 to 9. Buy the Florentina rose at Nature Hills.
2. Colette
‘Colette’ is a hybrid climber with fluffy, vintage pink blooms. This romantic bloomer loves full sun and will reach about 8 to 10 feet (2 to 3m) in height at maturity. It's suitable for USDA zones 5 to 10.
3. Fourth of July
‘Fourth of July’ is indeed a firecracker! It sports red and white cup-like blooms on long 8 to 12-foot (2 to 3.5m) canes and exudes a strong, spicy-sweet fragrance that makes it irresistible. Fourth of July is available to buy at Nature Hills and thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9.
4. New Dawn
‘New Dawn’ is a repeat bloomer with romantic, barely there, blush pink flowers. Voted the most popular rose in the world by the 11th World Convention of the Rose Society, it is a voracious bloomer with highly scented flowers as attractive to people as it is to butterflies. You can buy New Dawn at Walmart.
5. Golden Showers
‘Golden Showers’ emits a honey-sweet aroma from its cheerful, bright yellow blooms. A repeat bloomer, this climber continues to flower from spring into fall. Golden Showers is available at Nature Hills. It will reach a staggering 12 to 14 feet (3.5 to 4m) in height at maturity.
6. Highwire Flyer
Vibrant, hot pink blooms are the hallmark of ‘Highwire Flyer’. This bushy climber is a continuous bloomer that attains a manageable height of only about 6 feet (1.8m). It's a hybrid rose resistant to rust, mildew, and black spot. You can buy Highwire Flyer at Walmart.
7. Sally Holmes
‘Sally Holmes’ is an excellent choice for arbors and trellis growing. It has large white petals with visible yellow pistils and is fairly disease resistant. You can buy Sally Holmes at Nature Hills. Plant it in full sun where it will reach 6 to 12 feet (2 to 3.5m) in height.
8. Zephirine Douhin
Everything old is new again, and such is the case with ‘Zephirine Douhin’, an old rose making its modern debut. This thornless beauty features sweet-smelling, pink flowers, Suited for USDA zones 4 to 8, Zephirine Douhin – available in the Gardening Know How Shop – blooms constantly and will attain a mature height of 8 to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5m) with the same distance across.
9. ‘Polka’
If you’re looking for large, 5-inch (13cm) blooms in shades of peach and apricot, try growing ‘Polka’ climbing roses. This heirloom variety has a strong rose aroma, a long bloom time, and good disease resistance. You can buy the Polka rose at Walmart.
10. Joseph’s Coat
‘Joseph’s Coat’ is the perfect rose for the cutting garden. It produces semi-double blooms in gradations of cherry, gold, and orange that continually flower. Joseph's Coat is available to buy at Nature Hills and can be grown as a shrub or climber.
11. Quicksilver
‘Quicksilver’ is a romantic, lavender climbing rose with a moderately sweet aroma. A smaller climber, Quicksilver only grows to about 7 feet tall by 4 feet across (2 x 1m), making it perfect for smaller landscapes. It's beautiful on the vine or in cutting arrangements.
12. Purple Splash
Lastly, check out ‘Purple Splash’. This beauty features clusters of bright purple and white-striped blooms with visible gold pistils that emit an aroma akin to sweet apples. Purple Splash is available at Walmart. It's a nearly thornless rose that attains a height of 9 to 13 feet (3 to 4m) and blooms from spring to late summer.
Tips for Growing Climbing Roses
- For the best blooms, plant climbing roses in full sun to light shade. Situate your rose in an eastern exposure to take advantage of the morning light and protect the rose from the hot afternoon sun.
- Research the variety you choose to make sure you have adequate support for the long, often heavy canes.
- Plant climbing roses in well-draining, fertile soil.
- Keep the soil around the rose consistently moist. Water roses in the morning at the base of the plant, taking care not to wet the foliage. Do not overwater, as this will foster fungal disease.
- Fertilize your climbing rose with a balanced rose feed. Scotts' Rose & Bloom Continuous Feed, available at Amazon, is great for maximizing flowers and keeps plants nourished for two months.
- Prune climbing roses annually once established. Focus on removing any dead or diseased canes and training healthy canes up.
- To increase flower production and encourage horizontal growth, you need to train climbing roses by tying the canes to the support with flexible ties.
- Check the plant frequently for signs of common rose pests or diseases and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap – both available from Amazon.
- Deadhead roses as soon as blooms are spent to encourage additional blooms.
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