CLIMBER

Many of these climbing roses could be classified elsewhere, but they are grouped here because they grow best as climbers.  New Dawn is the easiest, healthiest climber and provides the standard for this group.  Unromantic as the name is in English, Hamburger Phoenix was bought solely because my husband loves both bright red and hamburgers, and it is a dramatic addition to a rose garden.  (Marianne Ahrne clarified the etymology of the name 'Hamburger Phoenix':  it was named to commemorate the city's rising from the ashes of post war Germany.)  All climbers are at least recurrent and sometimes continuous in bloom (unlike ramblers).

HAMBURGER PHOENIX  This is the brightest, reddest rose in the garden.  Site it carefully so that it doesn't overwhelm more retiring neighbours.  The large petals add to its strong visual impact.  A vigorous plant, with big shiny leaves.  The large semi-double blooms last well as cut flowers.    Health is VG

NEW DAWN  A sport of Dr. William Van Fleet in mid 20 Century, New Dawn became the bench mark for hybridizing new climbers.  It imparted continuity of bloom along with the urge to climb.  A classic 'tea' bud and bloom and very healthy bright green foliage.  A great rose for the novice gardener.   My plant climbs along the garden shed roof.   Health is EX

 

ROYAL SUNSET  Spectacular large double apricot blend tea blooms.  Has a heady fruity scent and vigorous thick canes.  It is newly planted in my garden so it hasn't achieved much of a size yet. Health is G

SOMBREUIL  A lush plant with sweetly fragrant double blooms.  It could more correctly be called a climbing tea rose.  You can let the branches arch out gracefully, or limit them and train it to climb.  A  superb asset of this climber is that it is truly continuous in bloom.  Health is EX 

CONSTANCE SPRY  Credited as being the first product of David Austin's hybridization program for 'English Roses'.  Contrary to his later hybrids, Constance Spry is a once bloomer, but what a glorious display of voluptuous and abundant blooms on a vigorous plant!  It even looks a bit decadent.  It's health disintegrates after blooming, so its best sited toward the background.  Health is barely OK