A climbing rose bush is a stunning addition to any garden or landscape.
These roses can add height and texture to fences, walls, and trellises, making them a popular choice for gardeners.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 10 varieties of climbing rose bushes and offer some tips on how to care for them.
Advantages Of Growing Climbing Rose Bushes
- They save space and look great: Climbing roses can be grown vertically, which makes them a great option for small gardens or for gardeners who want to maximize their space. Furthermore, climbing roses can add height and texture to any garden or landscape, providing a focal point and creating visual interest.
- Versatility: Climbing roses can be trained to grow on a variety of structures, including trellises, fences, walls, and arbors, making them a versatile addition to any garden.
Top 10 Climbing Rose Bush Varieties
This list of the top 10 climbing rose bush varieties has been carefully selected by us in order to give you the best possible options for your garden.
1. The Pilgrim Rose
Pilgrim rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, before 1991.
| COLOR: Yellow | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Mild, Spice, Tea Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 10ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Pilgrim rose has a cupped-to-flat, rosette bloom form.
Each flower can hold around 170 petals.
When it blossoms, it often blooms in either small clusters or solitary.
Pilgrim roses have a susceptibility to mildew.
In order to prevent mildew, the key practices gardeners must implement are increased airflow and a decrease in wet foliage.
Water your roses as close to the base as possible and make sure to prune your climbing rose bushes at least once per year.
RELATED: How To Treat Powdery Mildew On Roses (DIY Tips)
USDA growing zone: 5b through 10b.
2. Gartendirektor Otto Linne Rose
Gartendirektor Otto Linne rose was bred by Peter Lambert in Germany, in 1934.
| COLOR: Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Small | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Gartendirektor Otto Linne rose has a full, ruffled bloom form with about 26 to 40 petals per flower.
They often bloom together in large clusters throughout the growing season.
The bush itself has a vigorous, upright growth pattern.
Its branches are decorated with thorns and glossy, green foliage.
In addition to being a climbing rose bush, the Gartendirektor Otto Linne rose can also be used for cut flowers due to its upright stems and branches.
USDA growing zone: 4b and warmer.
3. Pat Austin Rose
The Pat Austin rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, before 1993.
| COLOR: Orange | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong Tea Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Pat Austin rose is a large rose with a cupped, very full-bloom form.
These roses have an abundance of petals, ranging from 41 to 50 petals each.
These roses either bloom in small clusters or in solitary.
They are repeat bloomers and produce flowers in flushes throughout the season.
While the branches of the bush are upright, these roses have a “weak neck” and tend to droop.
While their primary hardiness zones are between zone 6 and 9, Pat Austin roses are known to be heat tolerant and can withstand hotter climates as long as they remain properly hydrated.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
4. Bajazzo Rose
Bajazzo rose was bred by Tim Hermann Kordes in Germany, in 2001.
| COLOR: Deep Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: No Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 8ft – 9ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The blooms of the Bajazzo rose starts off with a bright fuchsia hue that slowly fades to light pink with age.
This fragrance-free rose has a single to semi-double bloom form and can contain between 8 to 10 petals per flower.
The plant itself grows large with a lax growth habit.
Its leaves are large in size with a glossy dark green hue.
While they are primarily grown as a climbing rose, they can be trained into a smaller shrub as well.
USDA growing zone: 5b through 9b.
5. Louise Odier Rose
Louise Odier rose was bred by Jacques-Julien Margottin in France, circa 1848.
| COLOR: Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 10ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Louise Odier rose has a fully double, high centered bloom form.
Its flowers have many petals, at least 60 each.
Louise Odier roses have a rich rose aroma which also makes this variety perfect for cut flowers in addition to being a climbing rose.
The plant itself is very bushy and grows vigorously.
USDA growing zone: 5b through 10b.
6. Tynwald Rose
Tynwald rose was bred by John Mattock in United Kingdom, in 1979.
| COLOR: Light Yellow | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Mild To Strong Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Tynwald roses are large flowers with a very full, cupped bloom form.
These flowers have a plentiful amount of petals with each rose containing at least 40 petals.
During blooming, this hybrid tea rose bush will either blossom in solitary or together in small clusters.
The plant itself is narrow and upright with semi-glossy dark green leaves.
Tynwald roses are notable for their resistance to drought, making this rose variety ideal for those living in arid climates.
Regardless, watering your plants is still necessary to maintain healthy, plush blooms.
Keep the soil uniformly moist and watch out for symptoms of dehydration.
If the soil is visibly dry and the plant is beginning to wilt, it’s time for some water!
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
7. White Cockade Rose
White Cockade rose was bred by Alexander M. (Alec) Cocker in Scotland, in 1969.
| COLOR: White Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 7ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The flowers of the White Cockade climbing rose bush has a rounded, fully double bloom form.
The plant grows bushy and upright with a vigorous growth pattern.
Its branches are thorny and adorned with an abundant amount of ovate, glossy, dark green leaves.
These flowers are repeat bloomers and will benefit greatly by being deadheaded during their blooming season.
RELATED: How To Deadhead Roses
To effectively prune the spent blooms from your plant, locate the nearest set of leaflets under the flower.
Make a diagonal cut with your pruning shears above this set of leaflets.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
8. Crimson Descant Rose
Crimson Descant rose was introduced by Cants of Colchester, in 1972.
| COLOR: Red | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Light Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 8ft – 12ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Crimson Descant rose has a ruffled, fully double bloom form with about 30 to 50 petals per flower.
These flowers are repeat bloomers and will produce roses through the summer and fall.
The plant itself has plentiful medium-green glossy foliage as well.
This climbing red rose bush has a moderate resistance to diseases, which makes it a relatively low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
It also has good tolerance to heat and drought, making it a hardy and reliable choice in a range of climates.
USDA growing zone: 7-9.
9. Complicata Rose
Complicata rose was introduced in France by Jules Gravereaux in 1902, as ‘Rosa gallica complicata’.
| COLOR: Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft – 10ft | FLOWERING: Once Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun, Partial Shade |
Complicata roses have a single, flat bloom form.
These roses have very few petals, about 4 to 8 per flower.
These few petals open up fully to reveal the stamen.
The plant is nearly thornless and produces sucker branches at the root.
These roses only bloom once per season, so fertilizing your roses is a great way to nourish the plant enough to ensure a high yield of flowers.
We suggest choosing a rose-specific fertilizer that has a balanced NPK ratio.
Apply this fertilizer according to package instructions once at the beginning of spring, and a second time at the beginning of summer just prior to the development of the buds.
USDA growing zone: 4b through 8b.
10. Chaplin’s Pink Climber Rose
Chaplin’s Pink Climber rose was bred by Chaplin Bros., Ltd in United Kingdom, in 1928.
| COLOR: Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 13ft – 17ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The roses of the Chaplin’s Pink Climber bush have a flat bloom form.
Its pink petals open up fully to reveal the contrasting yellow stamen at the center.
These are semi-double roses with 9 to 16 petals per flower.
Chaplin’s Pink Climber rose bush requires heavy pruning, more so than other rose varieties.
Pruning is recommended when the bush has completed its blooming season, around the late fall.
It is suggested to prune one-half of the rose bush.
USDA growing zone: 6b through 9b.
Conclusion
Climbing rose bushes are a wonderful addition to any garden or landscape, offering beauty and fragrance.
By selecting the right variety, providing proper support, and giving them the right care, you can enjoy these stunning roses for years to come.
With their ability to add vertical interest and beauty to any outdoor space, climbing roses are sure to be a favorite among gardeners and rose enthusiasts alike.
