About

A large, vigorous rambler with nearly thornless stems bearing healthy, glossy lime green leaves and sprays of small, slightly scented, double, deep violet-crimson flowers fading to grey-violet in mid or late summer.

About the genus

Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Roses
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

CultivationGrow in full sun with moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. For best flowering apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late winter or early spring and a balanced fertiliser again in early summer. Tolerant of poor soil, shade and a north aspect. Flowers are later in the summer. See also rose cultivation
PruningPruning group 18 (rambling roses) - see our video How to prune rambling roses
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn or by chip budding in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars large rose sawfly and rose leaf-rolling sawfly. Also rabbits and deer can cause damage
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildews. May also be susceptible to disorders rose blindness and flower balling and sometimes honey fungus