Climbing Roses

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Create a flowering wall of color with climbing roses. Climbing roses let you “garden up,” not just out. They’re made for vertical features—trellises, arbors, fences, pergolas, and even sturdy wire systems on walls—where the canes can be secured as they grow. Because the canes can reach 10–20 feet (and in some cases more), you can cover a large structure with fewer plants than you’d expect, especially when you plan the framework early and keep the main canes healthy. They also give you design flexibility that shrubs can’t: you can create an airy veil of bloom for a cottage-style look, a more formal espalier look for clean lines, or a dramatic archway that flowers above eye level. And climbers aren’t limited to “one quick show”—many popular climbing roses are repeat bloomers that flower in a big spring flush and then continue with additional bloom cycles through the season when conditions are good. If you’re planning with purpose, think about what you want the plant to do: soften a hard fence, screen a view, frame a gate, or add fragrance near a patio. Climbers can also be allowed to sprawl over a slope or bank if you want a flowering ground-hugging effect, but they’re at their best when you give them support and a plan from day one. Pick the bloom style, mature size, and vigor you actually need. Climbing roses vary by type, and that affects bloom timing and how you prune. Many repeat-blooming climbers flower abundantly in spring, then continue with scattered bloom through summer, and may bloom more heavily again in fall if the weather cooperates. Some climbers bloom best on older wood, so the goal is to build and preserve a healthy framework of main canes while managing side shoots for flowers. For mature size, expect long canes that can range from 5 feet to more than 20 feet, depending on variety and how they’re supported and maintained. As a concrete example of a classic repeat climber, ‘New Dawn’ is commonly described around 8–12 feet tall and blooming from late s