English climbing roses add a touch of beauty and elegance to anyone’s garden. And the best part is how easy they are to grow!
In this article, we’ll be discussing the characteristics of English climbing roses as well as taking a look at 10 popular varieties that you can have in your garden.
Characteristics Of English Climbing Roses
Contrary to popular belief, English roses are actually a subset of the shrub classification of rose.
However, they are so popular and so prominent, many consider English roses to be a classification of roses in their own right.
English roses are bred with qualities from classical and modern rose cultivars.
English roses share specific characteristics in their physical traits.
Some of these traits include:
- Vigorous growing habit. English roses grow bushy and vigorously. They also have a habit of spreading outwards.
- Repeat blooming. English roses are bred to bloom in flushes throughout the growing season as opposed to once-blooming varieties of rose.
- Strong fragrance.
- Medium or large flower size.
- Wide range of flower colors.
English climbing roses combine the beauty and excellence of English roses, but with the capability of climbing.
Climbing English roses don’t grow too tall, but they still grow vigorously.
They are very easy to manage and are considered one of the most beginner-friendly rose varieties.
English climbing roses are perfect for walls, fences, arches, and pillars.
10 Popular Varieties Of English Climbing Roses
1. St. Swithun Rose
St. Swithun rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1993.
| COLOR: Light Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Moderate, Myrrh Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft – 9ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
St. Swithun roses bloom either in solitary or in small clusters.
These ruffled flowers have a very full bloom count, with each rose containing at least 40 petals each.
The plant itself grows bushy with leathery green foliage.
St. Swithun roses are hardy to cold weather and are resistant to blackspot.
2. Snow Goose Rose
Snow Goose rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1997.
| COLOR: White Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Mild Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 8ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Snow Goose rose plant grows relatively small, making this perfect for short walls or fences.
Related posts: 12 Stunning Wall Climbing Roses
Climbing Roses On Fence: A Guide For Beginners
These plants bloom massive yields of white roses.
Snow Goose roses have a ruffled, pom-pom like appearance reminiscent of a daisy flower.
These flowers will re-bloom later on in the season.
Snow Goose roses are hardy to a wide range of climates and are capable of withstanding zones 5 through 11.
This is a universal choice for gardeners who live in cold or hot climates.
3. Spirit of Freedom Rose
Spirit of Freedom rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1998.
| COLOR: Light Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Moderate, Myrrh Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 6ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Spirit of Freedom roses grow in large clusters throughout the season.
These flowers start as round buds and bloom into very full roses with a cupped bloom form.
The shrub itself is well-branched and bushy. Its leaves are semi-glossy and dark green in color.
Spirit of Freedom rose shrubs have a resistance to disease and are tolerable of rainy weather conditions.
If you live in a location with heavy rains, then we highly suggest that you consider the Spirit of Freedom.
Excessive rain can sometimes heighten a roses’ risk of mildew or disease, however, this is unlikely with the Spirit of Freedom rose due to its rain tolerance.
4. Cymbeline Rose
Cymbeline rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1982.
| COLOR: Light Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Myrrh Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The ruffled roses of the Cymbeline rose has a full petal count, with each rose containing roughly around 26 to 40 petals each.
The shrub itself has a spreading habit and produces medium amounts of semi-glossy, green foliage.
Cymbeline roses are susceptible to blackspot.
Related post: Combatting Black Spots On Rose Leaves
However, some simple changes can significantly reduce the likelihood of blackspot.
We suggest watering your plants as low to the ground as possible and avoid overhead watering.
In addition, it is recommended to prune your roses once per year in order to increase air circulation between branches.
5. Francine Austin Rose
Francine Austin rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1988.
| COLOR: White Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Mild, Musk Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 2ft – 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Francine Austin roses have an old-fashioned, flat, reflexed bloom form.
When these flowers bloom, they do so together in large clusters.
They have a full petal count, with each rose containing at least 40 petals.
The Francine Austin rose shrub does not respond well to heavy pruning.
When you are pruning this plant, we suggest being very selective and only pruning what is absolutely necessary. Diseased or damaged wood should be the first priority.
6. Heritage Rose
Heritage rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, before 1982.
| COLOR: Light Pink | BLOOM SIZE: Medium-Large | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Lemon Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The Heritage rose has a cupped, rosette bloom form.
These roses are large with a full petal count (between 26 and 40 petals).
When Heritage roses bloom, they do so in small clusters.
The branches of the Heritage rose are nearly thornless and its leaves are small and semi-glossy with a dark green hue.
Heritage flowers are very hardy and tolerable of cool climates.
Those living in colder climates are recommended to prune more than 1/3 of the rose bush every spring.
7. Sharifa Asma Rose
Sharifa Asma rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1989.
| COLOR: Blush, Cream Edges, Ages To White | BLOOM SIZE: Medium To Large | FRAGRANCE: Moderate Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 3ft – 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Sharifa Asma roses bloom in solitary or in small clusters.
These roses have a cupped, rosette bloom form.
The shrubs grow upright and bushy with thorns and prickles.
Its leaves are semi-glossy and dark green in color.
8. The Dark Lady Rose
Dark Lady rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, before 1991.
| COLOR: Dark Red | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Moderate, Old Rose Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 4ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The long, pointed buds of the Dark Lady rose bloom into gorgeous cupped-to-flat roses.
These prolifically blooming roses either bloom alone in solitary or in small clusters.
You can expect repeat blooming throughout the whole season from this rose variety.
The shrub itself produces bushy, dark green leaves.
9. Evelyn Rose
Evelyn rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, before 1991.
| COLOR: Apricot Blend | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Strong Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Repeat Flowering | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
The roses of the Evelyn rose shrub have a full, cupped to flat bloom form.
Its creamy apricot-hued petals form a beautiful rosette pattern.
When the Evelyn roses bloom, they often bloom either in solitary or together in small clusters.
10. Falstaff Rose
Falstaff rose was bred by David C. H. Austin in United Kingdom, in 1990.
| COLOR: Dark Red | BLOOM SIZE: Medium | FRAGRANCE: Strong, Old Rose Fragrance |
| PLANT SIZE: 5ft | FLOWERING: Once-Blooming | PREFERRED LOCATION: Full Sun |
Falstaff roses have a cupped, old-fashioned bloom form.
These flowers have a full petal count that grow in a rosette formation.
Each rose contains between 26 to 40 petals.
The shrub itself grows bushy and upright.
Its leaves are semi-glossy with a leather texture.
The Falstaff rose differs from most other English roses in that it only blooms once per year, either in the spring or summer.
When these flowers bloom, they do so in small clusters.
Conclusion
English climbing roses were bred with the best qualities in mind- and at first glance, it is obvious that English roses are perfect for anyone’s garden!
Not only are English climbing roses beautiful, but they are very easy to care for.
While they are beginner-friendly roses, English climbing roses are a great fit for gardeners of all skill sets.
