There are different types of climbing roses: single or double flowered roses, small flowered or large flowered roses and also climbing roses that can become very large, called ramblers.
Roses in the horticultural world
Roses are fairly recent plants in horticulture. Even if they existed in Antiquity, only fifteen or so rosebushes are referenced under the reign of Louis XIV. It was not until the 18th century that varieties really developed. Hybridizers started to mix the pollen of roses and obtained several hundred varieties. In Lyon, many breeders created varieties from the middle of the 19th century. Today, there are up to 70,000 varieties in the world.
Safe varieties of climbing roses
Captain Christy
This is a typical 19th century rose. It was created in 1881 and reaches 3 to 4 meters high. The flower has the shape of old roses, which look a bit like the peony flower.
Pink Cloud
It is a rose created in 1952. It is still relevant today because it has a very beautiful foliage, a strong development and reblooms several times in the season.
Pink Ghislaine de Féligonde
This is a reference variety for the Ducher nursery, in terms of flowering and hardiness. It is a multiflora rose, which means that the flowers grow in clusters. This rose was created in 1914 and, at its origin, the flower was of yellow color. In 1997, from a seed, the nursery obtained a pink variation. But it was not until 2007 that this new variety of rose was stabilized and commercialized.
Zephirine Drouain
This is an old variety, extremely fragrant, whose stems do not carry any sting. Very easy to cultivate, it does not like to be against a wall in the sun. It needs air: to be planted against a fence or on a pergola.
Zéphirine Drouain' is part of a famous family of old roses called Bourbon roses, which are fragrant and bloom several times. These roses were born on the island of Reunion, from a mixture of Damask roses (the most fragrant) and Chinese roses, which are the first to have bloomed several times in the season.
Rosa centifolia
This is one of the oldest varieties. Rosa centifolia blooms only once but is extremely fragrant (it is used in perfumery). It was already cultivated by the Romans.
The rambling roses
When climbing roses exceed 4 meters in height, they fall into the category of large roses, also called ramblers. These roses can easily climb a tree, cover the front of a house, or line a fence.
Some ramblers have grouped flowers, others have large flowers (such as 'Madame Alfred Carrière', a classic from the 19th century), or have particularly aesthetic flowers, such as 'Mademoiselle Cécile Brunner' which has very small buds, very healthy foliage, and will bloom many times.
The culture of climbing roses
All varieties of roses are native to the northern hemisphere. It is true that roses are drought resistant, but this is not the situation they prefer. The ideal exposure is the East, for the morning sun and the afternoon shade, useful to protect it from the summer heat wave. However, it remains a sunny plant that will also bloom in the west or south in less hot regions.
The rose does not like limestone either, unless it is grafted on the rose hip (Rosa canina).
The gardener's job is to guide the rosebush to its support, and to make its place, for example in the branches of an old bald apple tree.
Although the rosebush grows almost everywhere, to obtain beautiful roses, it is necessary to feed and water it, especially in early spring. This strengthens it for the rest of the year and makes it resistant to disease.
Note: the rose bush reaches its adult size in three years.
