Types of Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are not true climbing plants because they do not twine around supports or have tendrils to grasp supports. Most climbing roses are propagated from sports of bush or shrub roses. A sport is a part of a plant that grows in an abnormal way, such as an extremely long cane on a rose bush.
-
Hybrid Tea Climbing Roses
-
Hybrid tea climbing roses don't flower as frequently as bush-type hybrid teas. The large blooms are often fragrant. The plants are susceptible to pests and diseases and may need protection in the winter.
Floribunda Climbing Roses
-
Climbing rose plants will cling to brick walls.
Floribunda climbing roses bloom almost continuously, with dense clusters of 2- to 5-inch flowers. The plants can tolerate some neglect but may need some protection in the winter.
Grandiflora Climbing Roses
-
Grandiflora climbing roses have more blooms than hybrid tea climbing roses but have smaller blooms---about 4 inches across. The plants are vigorous growers but may need protection in the winter.
Polyantha Climbing Roses
-
Climbing roses need support for their luxurious growth.
The flowers on polyantha climbing roses are 1 to 2 inches across and may be fragrant. The large clusters of flowers appear almost continuously throughout the season. The leaves are glossy dark green. Some polyantha roses have few or no thorns. The plants are hardy and fairly disease resistant.
Everblooming Climbers
-
Everblooming climbers bloom mainly in late spring, with scattered blooms during summer and fall. The flowers grow in small clusters, and the plants are vigorous and relatively cold hardy.
Ramblers
-
Ramblers are fast growing, vigorous plants that bloom in the spring. The canes (stems) can grow as much as 20 feet in one season. The flowers are smaller then those of everblooming climbers---less than 2 inches across---and grow in clusters. The leaves are glossy green.
-
