All types of climbing roses bring luxury and height to any garden. Climbing roses need a structure like a wall, trellis, tree, or pergola to grow on. There is amazing variation in size, form, fragrance, color, and hardiness in the many types of climbing roses.
Excitingly, every shape of rose flower can be found in climbing roses, from 5-petalled flat rose blossoms to pompom and quartered blooms with dozens of layered petals. Growing in heights of 3 to 20 feet tall, climbing roses are perfect for cottage-themed gardens, rose gardens, or a spectacular stand-alone feature in any style of garden.
Key Takeaways
- Climbing roses need a structure to grow on because they donât have self-clinging plant parts, although for some types of climbing roses the thorns help somewhat.
- You can train and secure climbing roses to structures to keep them growing where you want them.
- Climbing roses come in every bloom shape, color, and size.
- Available for almost every region, some types of climbing roses are hardy even in USDA zone 2.
- A spectacular feature to any garden, climbing roses raise your garden to new heights.
10 Types of Climbing Roses to Raise Your Garden to Luxurious Heights
1. Honeymoon Arborose Climbing Rose (Rosa âArborose Honeymoonâ)
The romantic opulent blooms of Honeymoon Arborose Climbing Rose are repeat bloomers, giving you fresh delicate rose fragrance all summer long. Abundant large clusters of cup-shaped, 3-inch cream white flowers have a blush center and 50+ petals per luxurious blossom. Honeymoon Arborose Climbing Rose is easy to grow and exceptionally disease resistant giving thick glossy dark green foliage on healthy supple canes. A vigorous grower, Honeymoon Arborose Climbing Rose is a rewarding climbing rose that gets better and bigger every passing year, but may even surprise you with blooms in the first year. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, Honeymoon Arborose Climbing Rose grows 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
2. Laguna Arborose Climbing Rose (Rosa âArborose Lagunaâ)
Laguna Arborose Climbing Rose has exhilarating deep pink, very full quartered blossoms, in clusters of 6 to 8 that repeat from late spring to late fall. The highly fragrant blooms have an intoxicating scent of old-world rose and lemongrass. Bred by Kordes of Germany, this second rose on our list from the Arborose collection is exceptionally disease resistant with notable awards including Baden-Baden Silver Medal 2007, and Geneva Silver Medal 2007. A medium height climbing rose, Laguna Arborose Climbing Rose will reach 8 to 10 feet tall, making it perfect for a rose arbor or fence. Soft canes and shining dark green foliage grow healthy and dense in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.
3. Eden Climbing Rose (Rosa Eden)
Also known as Pierre-de-Ronsard rose, Eden Climbing rose is notably the worldâs favorite and best-selling climbing rose. Bred in France by the House of Meilland, Eden is in the world rose hall of fame. Early in the season, masses of large, double, cupped, 60- to 100-petalled old fashioned blooms smother this vigorous climbing rose followed by outstanding repeat blooms through to fall. The lightly scented, 4 Âœ inch blooms are irresistible shades of pastel pinks, creams, and yellows. Growing 8 to 10 feet tall, this climbing rose is very disease-resistant with dense glossy green leaves. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10, Eden Climbing Rose trains well and is spectacular as a feature on a pillar or obelisk, as well as gorgeous trained on a fence, trellis, or gazebo.
4. Climbing Rose “Madame Alfred CarriĂ©re” (Rosa “Madame Alfred CarriĂ©re”)
One of the most fragrant of all roses, Madame Alfred CarriĂ©re Climbing Rose has a strong fruity fragrance. This repeat blooming rose has been a stunner in gardens since 1879. Large, globular, cupped, 3 Âœ inch roses have 40+ petals in soft pearl-pink which ages to a delicious cream color. Nearly thornless canes of this Noisette rose type are tolerant of shade and can handle some drought. The sturdy growth creates a graceful effect with bushy, upright growth and attractive foliage. A fast-growing heirloom rose, Madame Alfred CarriĂ©re will happily cover a garden wall, fence, or garden structure reaching 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide, but in perfect conditions, this climbing rose can reach 25 feet in height. Not exceptionally cold tolerant, Madame Alfred CarriĂ©re Climbing Rose performs best in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 11.
5. Climbing Rose âGhislaine de FĂ©ligondeâ (Rosa âGhislaine de FĂ©ligondeâ)
A delightful climbing rambler, Ghislaine de FĂ©ligonde Climbing Rose has repeat flowering orange blossoms that fade as they progress, giving this rose a dynamic elegance. The orange buds open to pale apricot, fading to peach, pink, and are translucent blushing white once fully open. The frilly petals emit a sweet musky fragrance. A rambler that can be trained on upright supports, this rose can also be pruned into a tall shrub or allowed to spread itself out to its length of 12 feet. Blooms are small but very abundant on almost thornless, moderately slow growing branches hardy in USDA zone 5 to 10.
6. Climbing Rose âDorothy Perkinsâ (Rosa âDorothy Perkinsâ)
The abundance of large sprays of small, double matt pink flowers is what sets Dorothy Perkins Rambling Rose apart. It blooms all at once, in multitudes of clusters of powder-puff pink blossoms in early summer. Once one of the most popular ramblers, Dorothy Perkins was introduced in 1861. It is ideal, climbing 15 to 18 feet, to grow on a large arch, wall, or fence. It can even be shaped into a tree form. The clustered double flowers have a subtle rose scent. The plants are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10. A gorgeous rose that is, unfortunately, prone to mildew. A newer version, Super Dorothy, developed in 1986, has more disease resistance and repeat blooms from late spring through fall.
7. Paul’s Scarlet Climber (Rosa Paul’s Scarlet Climber)
Is there anything like a perfect cupped red rose? How about perfect red roses blooming freely on plentiful, pliable climbing stems. Paul’s Scarlet Climber, with its light fragrance and medium bloom size seems to have come right out of wonderland. An old-fashioned rose from 1876, perfect for adorning a wall or fence, or growing over a doorway or rose arch. A medium sized rose, Paul’s Scarlet Climber grows 12 to 15 feet. The semi-double flowers are formed in large clustered framed lovingly by the lush glossy green foliage. Perhaps there is a better choice where powdery mildew is an issue, as Paul’s Scarlet Climber is susceptible. A vigorous growing, hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9.
8. Red Climbing Rose âAmadeusâ (Rosa âAmadeusâ)
A gold medal winner, Climbing Rose âAmadeusâ is astounding with its large dark red blooms in massive clusters of 5 to 7 blooms each. With Excellent disease resistance, Climbing Rose âAmadeusâ is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Smaller in stature, growing 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide, Climbing Rose âAmadeusâ is suitable to grow on fences or to train into a privacy screen. Where disease resistance is a priority, Climbing Rose âAmadeusâ is a very healthy rose with dark green glossy foliage that is less likely to succumb to black spot or powdery mildew issues.
9. Lady Banks Rose (Rosa banksiae)
A stunning rose with the potential to grow up to 20 feet tall, Lady Banks Rose is an excellent climbing rose to train on any style of sturdy support. Lady Banks Rose is a rambling, nearly thornless heirloom rose from 1824. A recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, perhaps due to the grand display of hundreds of miniature yellow flowers each spring. With a single outstanding show of flowers, this rose outshines with all the blooms all at once spectacle. A vigorous, fast-growing climbing rose that is also drought resistant and hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9.
10. Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ (Rosa âZepherine Drohinâ)
The almost continuous blooms of Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ with their deep rose pink blossoms and strong fruity scent makes this rose one of the most popular roses of all time. Introduced in 1868, Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ is absolutely charming. The large 4-inch flowers bloom in flushes throughout the season. Once established, the long thornless canes can grow 10 to 15 feet. Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ is an exceptionally fragrant bourbon rose that prefers warmer climates, hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10. Slightly more susceptible to diseases, Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ is tolerant of most soil types and thrives in full sun to part shade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Climbing Roses
What is the difference between a climbing rose, and a rambling rose?
In general, the difference between a climbing rose and a rambling rose depends on breeding and ancestry. One way to tell the difference is climbing roses tend to repeat flower throughout the growing season and rambling roses have one big blooming period, usually in midsummer. Climbing roses, in general, have larger blooms and rambling roses have clusters of smaller blooms. Rambling roses seem to have more pliable growth which can make training rambling roses easier.
What is the most popular climbing rose?
Eden Climbing Rose is hailed as the worldâs favorite rose. It is a best-selling climbing rose across several popular rose producers. Eden blooms double large sumptuous light pink very heavily early in the season with reliable repeat blooming right up until frost. A notable contender, Climbing Rose âZepherine Drohinâ tops many popularity lists of climbing roses with its large, 4-inch deep rose-pink extremely fragrant that are consistently blooming in flushes throughout the growing season.
What type of rose is climbing?
Roses with long pliable canes can be considered climbing. Many roses have been bred and cultivated for their climbing attributes. Climbing roses donât have self-clinging plant parts such as tendrils like a bean or a pea plant has. Roses will only climb if you help them. They can be trained onto many forms of structures such as walls, fences, arches, trellis, trees, pergolas, and gazebos. But, they need your help with pruning, tying, and training. In this way, your climbing rose can grow where you want it to.
What is the hardiest climbing rose?
There are some incredibly hardy climbing roses, not mentioned on the list above. Bred from very hardy Canadian Roses, hardy climbing roses can thrive in as low as USDA zones 2. And they can handle warmer temps as well, all the way to zone 9 for some. A couple of notable varieties are âJohn Davisâ with candy-pink old-fashioned blooms, and Long John Silver which has large, fully double, old-fashioned, white blooms with a wonderful scent of gardenias and myrrh.
What is the best-smelling climbing rose?
A top contender for the best-smelling climbing rose comes from our list above. Climbing Rose âZĂ©phirine Drouhinâ is extremely fragrant. Although, The Pilgrim is a gorgeous, pure yellow rose that makes an excellent cut flower and has a delightful fragrance of tea and myrrh. Another is Tess of the d'Urbervilles has 4" flowers with a fruity, old rose fragrance. From the Arborose collection the extremely fragrant Climbing Rose, Kiss Me Kate also makes the list.
10 Incredible Types of Climbing Roses for a Whimsical Cottage-Themed Garden
Bring your garden to new heights with one (or many) types of climbing roses. Remember, climbing roses need a structure like a wall, trellis, tree, or pergola to grow on. In the wonderful world of roses, climbing roses too come in an incredible variety of sizes, forms, fragrance, colors, and even hardiness. And every imaginable rose bloom shape can be found in climbing roses. From heights of 3 to 20 feet tall, climbing roses will elevate any style of garden.
