Rambling Roses

I often get confused with rambling roses, or ramblers, and climbers.  For a long time I thought they were the same thing and I often used the terms interchangeably. It turns out there is kind of a difference!

Although there doesn't seem to be an official definition, many gardeners have ideas on the differences.  However, you will find some differing opinions as to what makes up a rambler.  A lot of gardeners consider a repeating blooming flower a climber whereas the rambler will typically bloom just once a season, in June or so, for just a few weeks.  They are much closer to the Old Garden types that way.  You can also look at the canes.  Climbing roses have long stiff canes while ramblers have flexible canes, making them, some might argue, better climbers than the climbing roses themselves.  I’m not sure about that though.  There’s some really nice climbers.  Maybe I’m biased because I like the repeating types!

Basically it’s a trade off between the two varieties.  Rambling roses usually have less blooms but require less work.  You usually don’t need to deadhead them.  They are also pretty easy to prune.  Just cut and trim some of the old growth that’s dead at the root.  You can also train these to some extent.  As I said, their canes are more loose and so they often work better wrapped around a fixture, like a trellis or fixture. Its good for a curvy spot like an arch.  From a growth and scent perspective, they’re about the same.

Veilchenblau – This is a great looking bluish or lilac beauty.

Albertine – this is one of the Wichuraiana varieties, which means it is more climberlike

Cornelia – A great plant for a shaded or shady spot.  Has a great strong fragrance

Dortmund – It might be a little bit more like a climber in actuality.  One of the best known Kordes roses.