Climbing roses are one of the best ways to bring roses above eye level. They can soften a bare wall, cover an arch, frame a doorway, spill over a fence, or turn a plain structure into something much more romantic.
I have always felt that a garden is more interesting when there is something happening higher up, not just at ground level. Climbing roses are perfect for that, as long as you choose the right variety for the space and give the stems something to hold onto.
Despite the name, climbing roses do not climb by themselves in the way ivy or some other climbing plants do. They need to be tied, trained, and guided. Once you understand that, they become much easier to manage.
What Are Climbing Roses?
Climbing roses are roses with long, flexible or semi-flexible canes that can be trained against a support. They may be used on arches, walls, fences, pillars, obelisks, pergolas, and other garden structures.
Some climbing roses are sports of bush roses, which means they developed as a climbing form of an existing variety. Others are bred specifically to grow tall and cover a structure.
They vary a lot in size. Some are modest climbers that suit a small arch or fence, while others can become very large and need a strong support and plenty of room. This is why it is worth checking the expected height and spread before planting one.
Climbing Roses vs Rambling Roses
Climbing roses and rambling roses are often grouped together, and it is easy to see why. Both can be used to cover arches, fences, pergolas, walls, sheds, and other garden structures.
There are differences, though. Rambling roses are usually more vigorous, with long, flexible stems that can cover a large area. They are wonderful if you have the space, but some can become far too big for a small arch or narrow fence.
Climbing roses are often a little easier to control. Many repeat flower, and they are usually better suited to smaller structures, walls, pillars, and garden arches where you want height without quite so much wild growth.
This is only a general guide, because roses do not always follow neat rules. Some climbers can become huge, and some ramblers are quite manageable. The important thing is to check the expected size before planting.
If you are looking for very large, vigorous roses for trees, sheds, or big pergolas, see the Rambling Roses page.
Featured Climber: Dublin Bay
Dublin Bay is a classic red climbing rose bred by Sam McGredy, and it is probably one of his most famous roses. The flowers are a rich, clear red, with a good traditional rose shape, and they stand out beautifully against fences, walls, arches, or dark green foliage.
It is not the soft, romantic type of climber like New Dawn or Madame Alfred Carrière. Dublin Bay has a stronger, bolder look, which makes it very useful where you want height, color, and impact.
I also have a soft spot for this rose because I once took quite a few cuttings from Dublin Bay, and they all struck successfully. That does not mean every cutting will always work, of course, but in my own experience it was a very willing rose to propagate.
How to Train Climbing Roses
Climbing roses need to be guided and tied into place. They do not cling to a wall, fence, or arch by themselves, so they need a proper support and a little help from you as they grow.
One of the most important things to remember is that a climbing rose will flower much better if the main stems are trained sideways, at an angle, or in a gentle spiral. If you let one long cane shoot straight up, you may end up with most of the flowers right at the top, which is not much use when you want to enjoy them at eye level.
On an arch or pergola, try to curve the stems around the structure rather than sending them straight up and over. On a wall or fence, train the main stems as horizontally as you can, then tie in the shorter flowering shoots as they develop.
Use soft ties that will not cut into the stems, and check them from time to time as the rose grows. Canes thicken with age, and a tie that was fine at first can become too tight later.
We have more information on training and pruning climbers on our main rose pruning guide page.
Climbing Roses Worth Considering
Choosing a climbing rose is much easier if you start with the place you want it to grow. A rose for a narrow archway is not always the same rose you would choose for a wide fence, a house wall, or a large pergola.
We have a selection here… some will be familiar to you, others might not. Hopefully, you can be inspired to plant a rose that you hadn’t considered previously!
For Arches and Doorways
Zephirine Drouhin is often recommended for arches, doorways, and places where people walk past, because it is thornless or nearly thornless. Its deep pink flowers and strong fragrance make it a lovely choice where you can enjoy it up close.
Dublin Bay is a good red climber for an arch or entrance where you want strong color without a wild, sprawling habit. Its clear red flowers stand out well, especially against timber, brick, or dark green foliage.
Clair Matin is a softer choice, with clear pink flowers and a graceful, open habit. It is a good option where you want a climbing rose that feels pretty and welcoming rather than too heavy or dramatic.
Golden Showers is a cheerful yellow climbing rose that can work well on an arch, pillar, or entrance where you want a brighter, sunnier effect. The flowers are not as formal as some climbers, but the color is warm and eye-catching, especially when placed near darker foliage or a plain structure.
For Walls and Fences
Souvenir du Docteur Jamain is a lovely choice if you want something darker and moodier. Its deep crimson-purple flowers can be beautiful against a wall, especially if the plant gets some protection from harsh afternoon sun.
Aloha is a warm pink climbing rose with full, old-fashioned-looking flowers. It can work beautifully on a fence or wall where the blooms have room to show off, and the color often has soft coral or apricot tones mixed through the pink.
Penny Lane is softer and more subtle, with pale apricot, cream, and blush tones. It is a good rose for a wall or fence where you want a gentle, romantic effect rather than a strong splash of color.
Handel gives a very different look, with cream flowers edged in pink or red. It is useful where you want a climbing rose with clear contrast and visual interest, especially against a plain fence or pale wall.
For Larger Spaces and Pergolas
Madame Alfred Carrière is a classic climbing rose for larger spaces, walls, and pergolas. Its soft pale blooms have an old rose feel, and the plant can grow strongly once established, so it needs room to show itself properly.
Albéric Barbier is very vigorous and is best treated as a large climber or rambler. It can be wonderful over a big pergola, shed, or large structure, but it is not the rose for a small arch or tight corner.
Dortmund has a completely different look, with bold red flowers, a pale center, and visible golden stamens. It has a strong, open style and can be very effective where you want a climbing rose with height, structure, and visibility.
Cécile Brünner Climbing is a graceful climber with small, soft pink flowers that have a delicate, old-fashioned look. It can be very charming where you have enough room for it to grow naturally over a pergola, fence, or larger support.
For Strong Color Impact
Altissimo is one of the most distinctive red climbing roses, with large, open flowers and golden stamens. It has a clean, dramatic look and can be stunning against a pale wall, fence, or simple garden structure.
Joseph’s Coat is known for its changing warm colors, often showing red, orange, yellow, coral, and gold tones on the same plant. It is a good choice if you want a climbing rose that looks cheerful, bright, and full of movement.
Cocktail has single red flowers with a yellow center, giving it a lively, eye-catching look. It is not a soft or subtle rose, but it can be very effective where you want a climber with energy and personality.
Fourth of July is a striped red and white climber with a bold, festive appearance. It is useful where you want something different from the usual solid-colored climbing roses, and it certainly does not disappear quietly into the background.
For A Softer Romantic Look
Swan Lake is a graceful climbing rose with pale blooms that open white to soft blush. It is a lovely choice where you want a gentle, elegant effect rather than strong color or drama.
William Morris can be used as a short climber in some gardens, especially where you want that full, old-fashioned David Austin flower form. Its warm pink to apricot tones give it a soft romantic look without being too pale.
Starlight Express is a lighter, more delicate climber, with pale flowers that suit a softer garden style. It works well where you want a climbing rose that feels fresh, airy, and not too heavy.
Claire Austin is creamy white with a gentle, romantic feel. It can be trained as a short climber in suitable conditions, and looks especially good with soft pinks, lavender, silver foliage, or other pale companion plants.
For Fragrance
Compassion is a lovely fragrant climbing rose with soft salmon-pink to apricot tones. It is a good choice near a patio, path, or seating area where you can enjoy the scent as well as the flowers.
Nahema is a romantic soft pink climber, often grown for its strong fragrance as much as its flowers. It suits places where the blooms can be enjoyed up close, such as beside a garden seat, doorway, or walkway.
Climbing Crimson Glory is a good choice if you like richly scented red roses. It brings that classic deep red rose character to a vertical space, and is best placed where the fragrance will not be wasted.
Crepuscule is an apricot Noisette rose with a warm, relaxed look and a gentle fragrance. It is useful where you want something softer than a bold red climber, but still want warmth, charm, and scent.
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