Top 12 Exceptional Climbing Rose Varieties for Your Garden
Climbing roses are long-lasting plant varieties that can be cultivated to grow vertically over walls, fences, arches, obelisks, and other structures. For a classic aesthetic, consider planting several climbing rose varieties together, drawing inspiration from rose gardens at establishments such as Alnwick Garden and Hever Castle.
If your climbing rose blooms scentedly, position it near a patio or seating area to enjoy its fragrance. For a more wildlife-friendly option, opt for climbing roses with single or semi-double blossoms, which offer easier access to the flowers for bees and other pollinators. Hip-bearing roses, like the dog rose (Rosa canina) and Rosa rubiginosa, are advantageous in winter as they provide sustenance for birds and small mammals. Leafcutter bees often use some climbing roses with soft leaves to line their nests.
Additional Information on Climbing Roses:
- Training and Pruning a Climbing Rose
- Growing Climbing Roses
- The Difference between Climbing and Rambling Roses
- Best Climbers to Grow
In this brief video guide, the experts at Harkness Roses share their guidance for nurturing climbing roses, including proper pruning techniques for increased blooming.
Purchasing Climbing Roses:
- Always select a healthy plant with no signs of damage, yellowing leaves, or pest infestations.
- Ensure you choose the right rose for the correct location, considering its growing requirements and ensuring suitable conditions are available.
- Save money by buying bare-root roses in the fall, or opt for year-round convenience by purchasing potted rose plants.
Resources for Buying Climbing Roses:
- Crocus
- Thompson & Morgan
- Peter Beales
- David Austin
- Harkness
- World of Roses
- Sarah Raven
For further exploration, peruse our selection of outstanding climbing roses below:
Rosa 'Pippin'
Rosa 'Pippin' offers medium-sized double blooms with a warm pink hue, subtly tinged with orange on the petals. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance and bloom repeatedly, making them perfect for placement near seating areas.
Buy Rosa 'Pippin' from Peter Beales
Rosa 'Parkdirektor Riggers'
Featuring a vibrant crimson bloom, Rosa 'Parkdirektor Riggers' has little fragrance but benefits from semi-double flowers that are more accessible to pollinators. It blooms repeatedly, and its shade tolerance makes it well-suited for north-facing walls.
Rosa 'Claire Austin'
Distinguished by luxurious cream blooms, Rosa 'Claire Austin' exudes a strong fragrance said to resemble vanilla and myrrh. It is a repeat-bloomer and boasts exceptional disease resistance.
Buy Rosa 'Claire Austin' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Compassion'
Rosa 'Compassion' showcases salmon-pink flowers with a warm apricot center, blooming continually and boasting a strong, sweet fragrance. This variety has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Buy Rosa 'Compassion' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Iceberg'
For pure white blooms, turn to Rosa 'Iceberg', whose semi-double flowers have an old rose aroma. Vigorous and repeat-flowering, it also holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad'
Versatile Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad' can be cultivated as both a shrub or a short climbing rose if adequately supported. Its pale pink rosettes are gently scented and nearly thornless, making it easier to care for and bind. It repeat-blooms and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Buy Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Wollerton Old Hall'
Featuring rounded, pastel-orange blooms similar to peonies, Rosa 'Wollerton Old Hall' releases a powerful fragrance when situated near seating areas or the house. It is a repeat-bloomer.
Buy Rosa 'Wollerton Old Hall' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Constance Spry'
Rosa 'Constance Spry' is an arching, climbable rose with large, rose-pink blooms carrying a rich myrrh aroma. It also earns the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Buy Rosa 'Constance Spry' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta'
Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta' displays mid-orange rosettes packed with ruffled blooms. Fragrant, repeat-flowering, and boasting shade tolerance, this variety pairs particularly well with purple flowers.
Buy Rosa 'Princess Margareta' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'The Generous Gardener'
A strong, disease-resistant variety, Rosa 'The Generous Gardener' thrives when grown over arches and pergolas. Its pale pink rosettes are highly fragrant and attractively arranged. It repeats blooms and also earns the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Buy Rosa 'The Generous Gardener' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Mortimer Sackler' (renamed to Rosa 'Mary Delany')
This climber bears striking pointed buds that open to bright pink double roses, eventually revealing golden yellow stamens. It blooms profusely throughout the summer and has a light, old rose scent.
Buy Rosa 'Mortimer Sackler' from David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' is a highly fragrant, prolifically blooming climbing rose, producing masses of bright pink, fully double flowers with an old rose scent.
Buy Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' from David Austin Roses
For gardens aimed at supporting wildlife and pollinators, the Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose, along with David Austin's The Generous Gardener and The King's Rose, are exceptional choices. Their fragrant, repeat-blooming flowers appeal to bees and butterflies, while some, like The King's Rose, serve as a food source for birds through their hips during winter. Additional notable options include Highwire Flyer and Pearly Gates Climbing Rose, both of which boast long bloom seasons and attract a variety of pollinators.
If you're looking for a fragrant climbing rose to place near your seating area, consider Rosa 'Pippin' known for its medium-sized double blooms with a warm pink hue and pleasant fragrance. To create a wildlife-friendly garden, opt for climbers like Rosa 'Compassion' or the Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose, which offer easier access to their flowers for bees and other pollinators.
