Amy Draiss
Roses are a favorite of many gardeners, and you’ll find plenty of variety in both bush and climbing types. Climbing roses are particularly reliable for covering vertical surfaces like walls, fences, and trellises. But allowing for variations of regionality and your own garden conditions, if you are after fast growing climbing roses, there are a few choice specimens that are especially worthy of consideration. Choose one of these fast-climbing roses so you can enjoy the spectacle that bit sooner.
Make this your summer for long-flowering climbers, as well as hybrids and shrub roses. Browse our heavenly selection in the Gardening Know How Shop.
Choosing Fast Growing Climbing Roses
Before selecting a particular fast growing climbing rose, it’s important to consider what will work best in your rose garden. Factor in your growing zone, soil type and available sunlight before choosing a particular rose variety. Also, be sure you have a good climbing surface for your climbing rose, so it has a sturdy foundation.
It’s easy to confuse climbing and rambling roses. Ramblers grow quite long and need a lot of support. True climbing roses are easier to train. Some climbing roses bloom with clusters of small flowers, while others have larger, single flowers. Disease resistance is also important. Roses can be susceptible to a few diseases, so varieties with some resistance will improve the success rate with your climbers.
1. ‘New Dawn’
This is one of the fastest climbing roses you can find. If filling a space as soon as possible is your priority, ‘New Dawn’ is a great option for a climbing plant you can grow as part of a partnership or simply on its own. It is appropriate for gardens in USDA zones 5 through 9, with well-drained soil and areas with full sun. As a bonus, this variety has good disease resistance.
One of the best fast growing climbing roses if you like pastel pinks, ‘New Dawn’ will grow up to 20ft (6m) tall and 10ft (3m) wide, depending on how you train it. It blooms from early summer through September with clusters of fragrant, soft pink flowers. You can buy ‘New Dawn’ climbing rose from Nature Hills.
2. ‘Sally Holmes’
One of the easiest roses to grow, this fast-growing hybrid is great for smaller spaces. It often stays around 6ft (1.8m) tall, but with the right care, can reach 12ft (3.6m). Grow ‘Sally Holmes’ in USDA zones 5-9, in loamy, well-drained soil and full sun. It will reward you with clusters of small, delicate white flowers and a moderate fragrance.
There are some extra bonus benefits to choosing ‘Sally Holmes.’ This variety handles high temperatures better than others. Also, if you are after fast growing climbing roses for shade, this variety will tolerate some shade, as well as poorer soil. The canes are thornless. If you like creamy white rose flowers, you can buy similarly striking ‘Iceberg’ roses from Nature Hills.
3. ‘Zephirine Drouhin’
This is an old and trusted variety that dates back to the 1860s. It is a reliable and fast climbing rose. ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ can grow up to 20ft (6m) tall and grows well in USDA zones 5-10. It prefers loamy, well-drained soil and full sun.
‘Zephirine Drouhin’, available in the Gardening Know How Shop, is largely thornless. It produces large, deep pink blooms throughout the growing season. It will produce the most flowers in spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler. The fragrance is very strong and highly appealing for a prominent front yard or patio position.
4. ‘Don Juan’
For a fast growing rose that has bold, fragrant flowers, you can’t go wrong with ‘Don Juan.’ It’s popular in the south for being able to handle high heat. The flowers on ‘Don Juan’ are large, bright red, double-petaled, and very fragrant.
If you’re looking to grow a rose plant fast, this variety is appropriate for USDA zones 6-10. It prefers full sun, warm temperatures and humidity. The best soil for ‘Don Juan’ is loamy, moist and well-drained. It grows up to 10ft (3m) high and 5ft (1.5m) wide. You can buy ‘Don Juan’ roses from Fast Growing Trees.
5. ‘Joseph’s Coat’
This is a variety with very bold, colorful blooms. It also grows fast and can get to 12ft (3.6m) tall and 4ft (1.2m) wide. Grow ‘Joseph’s Coat’ in USDA zones 5-9, in full sun, and in loamy soil that drains very well.
With good care, you can encourage roses up the walls of your house and can enjoy bright, unique blooms from late spring through late fall. The large flowers open up in a yellow-orange color, but develop pink and red as they mature, becoming truly multi-colored.
If you like lavish two-tone roses on the warm side of the color spectrum, you can buy the similar ‘Rise Up Emberays’ rose from Proven Winners.
6. ‘America Climbing’
Plant ‘America Climbing’ for a variety that will quickly reach heights of 12 feet (3.6 m). This variety (also known as 'JACclam' Climbing Rose 'America') is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and needs full sun with loamy, well-drained soil to thrive.
If you’re after climbing roses that will bloom all summer, this one blooms from late spring through early fall. It will reward you with very fragrant blooms in shades of coral, salmon or pink, set against dark, glossy leaves. You can buy ‘America Climbing’ from Nature Hills.
7. ‘Cherry Frost’
This variety is named for the fact that its flowers, which start blooming in late spring, continue up to the first frost. If you live in a colder climate, this is the fast climbing rose for you. It can grow anywhere from USDA zone 4-10 in full sun and loamy, well-drained soil.
‘Cherry Frost’ is a decidedly romantic rose, with bright red flowers and is mostly disease resistant. It grows up to 7ft (2.1m) tall and 3ft (0.9m) wide, so is smaller than some other varieties. You can buy ‘Cherry Frost’ roses from Walmart.
8. ‘Peppermint Patty’
The name of this variety describes its unique blooms, which are cream color and edged with deep pink or red. Fast-growing ‘Peppermint Patty’ ultimately reaches 10ft (3m) in height.
These are some of the best smelling roses you can grow as climbers, with flowers that have a fruity smell and bloom in spring. Grow ‘Peppermint Patty’ in USDA zones 5-9 in a spot with full sun and well-drained, rich soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cultivate better climbing roses?
You’ll need to train it to its structure and prune it as it grows. If using a trellis or frame, make sure it can support the plant’s weight as it grows, and use canes for extra plant support. However, avoid securing the canes too tightly. They need some room to grow. As it grows, prune your climbing rose each year to shape it, encourage the direction of growth you want, and promote new, healthy growth.
What are some common mistakes when training climbing roses?
Easy mistakes to make when training climbing roses include waiting too long. Start when it’s small to get the type of growth you want. Avoid pruning too late in the season, which might delay flowering. Avoid hard pruning and focus on old, weak, or dead canes and shaping. Now, you’re ready to choose the best rose for your garden.
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