About
In summer a single flush of double flowers is borne, comprising dense clusters of cerise-purple flowers progressing to a mauve-pink colour before fading to white. A vigorous, spreading, deciduous shrub with coarse, arching stems, to 5m tall, and pale green, wrinkled foliage. Flowers are followed by small red hips that persist into winter.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Roses
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
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
CultivationGrows best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny, open position. Good for an arch or pergola, will also tolerate some shade. Mulch in late winter and, to improve flowering, apply a balanced fertiliser in late winter or early spring. See rose cultivation
PruningPruning group 18 (rambler roses) - see our video How to prune rambling roses
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn, or by T-budding in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, including rose aphid, the most common rose pest. May also be susceptible to rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly, rose leaf-rolling sawfly and leaf-cutter bees. Deer and rabbits can also 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