Pick an area that is big enough to accommodate the mature size of the plant. If the mature size isn’t included on the tag, look it up online or contact your local chapter of the ARS.
The space you’re planting in should be the same size or larger than the rose will eventually be.
Also keep in mind that many climbing roses are capable of becoming much, much larger than the tag claims. For instance, ‘Cecile Brunner’ is generally labeled as growing about 20 feet high or so.
But as you can probably tell, that’s not a hard and fast rule, and results may vary depending on your local conditions.
Light
In addition to making sure you have the right amount of room, you also need to make sure your new plant receives full sunlight. Some roses can get by in partial sun, but not ramblers.
They absolutely need at least six full hours of sunlight each day or you’ll end up with a spindly shrub that doesn’t grow as tall or bloom as much as it could.
Of course, as with most things in life, there are some exceptions, so be sure to do a little research if you find a cultivar at your local nursery that you just can’t live without.
Soil
When it comes to soil, the usual rose rules apply. The pH should be around 6.0 to 6.5 and the soil must be loose and loamy for the best results.
If you need to amend your soil to improve drainage, dig about two feet wide and 18 inches deep. Work in lots of well-rotted compost, which works to improve both sandy and clay soil.
Training
Once the plant is in the ground and has started to grow, you need to train it. It will need some sort of support or you’ll end up with lanky, weeping canes that will eventually break. A fence, trellis, tall stake, or even an old shipping pallet propped up on its side will do.
You don’t need to tie the canes in place, but it can certainly help, especially if you live in a windy area. If you do, use something that won’t cut through the flesh of the canes, like twine or tape. Avoid wire.
Learn more about training climbing roses here.
Water
These plants like a good amount of water and they should receive about two inches per week, whether that comes from Mother Nature or your irrigation system.
What that translates to in the real world is that you should water when the soil feels dry up to your second knuckle. A rain gauge can help to determine how much precipitation you’ve received.
Fertilizer
Fertilize young plants in their first year after planting with a mild potassium fertilizer, like one that contains seaweed. Neptune’s Harvest is a reliable option that I’ve had success with.
Neptune’s Harvest
Grab a gallon from Amazon. Start fertilizing after you see new growth emerging and repeat every six weeks as long as the plant is actively growing.
Cultivars to Select
There are many excellent climbers out there. Once again, your local rose society can be an excellent resource for locating cultivars that will excel in your neck of the woods. The choices below tend to work in most rose-friendly regions.
Cecile Brunner
‘Cecile Brunner’ is a classic option that has been around a long time, for good reason. It’s a repeat bloomer that is resistant to fungal diseases and can handle partial shade.
It’s absolutely smothered in light pink double blossoms from spring until fall.
The sweet little medium-pink buds were once a favorite for men to stuff into their lapels, earning it the nickname “the sweetheart rose.”
‘Cecile Brunner’
You can find #2 containers from Nature Hills Nursery.
Claire Austin
Remember how we said that climbers need full sun? This is another one of the few exceptions.
‘Claire Austin’ will climb up to 12 feet tall, even in a partially sunny spot with only four hours of sunlight. The creamy white, cupped, very full blossoms are a sight to behold, particularly on an obelisk or pillar.
She’s also disease resistant and has a strong myrrh fragrance.
Highwire Flyer
Like the ruffled skirt of an acrobat performing on a circus highwire, ‘Highwire Flyer’ is perfect for drawing the eye. The double flowers are deep, bold, hot pink on a 10-foot-tall plant that resists rust, mold, and powdery and downy mildew.
‘Highwire Flyer’
This cultivar will blossom continuously for a summer-long show. It was bred by the same breeder – Will Radler – who brought us Knock Outs, so you know it’s a reliable choice.
Find one gallon plants from Heirloom Roses via Amazon.
Joseph’s Coat
This is a flower draped in a robe of many colors. The double blossoms start out salmon pink before opening into a dramatic ombre of yellow, pink, and orange.
As they fade, the colors transition to less pink and more yellow, with a softer, pastel hue.
‘Joseph’s Coat’
The canes reach up to 12 feet tall and the blossoms form on both new and old wood, so you can prune away without fear.
Ready to wrap yourself in color? Head to Home Depot to purchase a pack of two bare root plants for your garden.
Lady in Red
‘Lady in Red’ is all dressed up in her finest, with dark, velvety red petals on ruffly double flowers.
She grows to a manageable 10 feet tall and has dense foliage that makes her perfect as a filler for a fence between you and your neighbor’s property.
‘Lady in Red’
Bring this lovely lady home as a one-gallon plant from Heirloom Roses (via Amazon).
Malvern Hills
Like a stroll through the fields of Herefordshire, ‘Malvern Hills’ is a rambler that captures the spirit of a perfect summer afternoon.
It features creamy yellow blossoms that start out as medium yellow buds, all on a 15-foot-tall plant. It’s a repeat bloomer with double flowers held in large clusters.
This cultivar isn’t too thorny, has a pleasing fragrance, and stays fairly slender, which makes it ideal if you’re looking for an option to plant next to a walkway, to grow over an arbor, or to cover a pergola over your patio.
That should be enough to recommend it, but it also happens to be as tough as nails! It’s highly resistant to most fungal diseases that commonly plague other roses.
Sky’s the Limit
When it comes to the beautiful ‘Sky’s the Limit,’ it’s not just about reaching great heights. While this cultivar can reach a respectable 12 feet tall, the sky is the limit when it comes to your enjoyment!
‘Sky’s the Limit’
Without a lot of work, this is a hardy, disease-resistant option that shows off with big clusters of double, creamy yellow flowers.
Heirloom Roses (via Amazon) this cultivar available as a one-gallons if you’re aiming to add this beauty to your space.
Stormy Weather
With ‘Stormy Weather’ in your garden, you won’t mind rough weather.
This stunner calls to mind purple rain clouds just before a deluge with its purple-magenta blossoms. But at the center of each is a bright splotch of yellow and white, like the sun peeking out after a storm.
‘Stormy Weather’
‘Stormy Weather’ will eventually reach 10 feet tall and is a reliable, prolific bloomer.
Invite the storm into your yard by grabbing a bare root specimen at Home Depot.
Maintenance
If you’ve pruned roses before, you might be tempted to skip this section. But don’t!