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types of climbing roses

Climbing roses are a wonderful way to transform fences, walls, and garden arches into vibrant tapestries of colour and fragrance. Gardeners in New Zealand find these flexible and vigorous roses a top choice for creating dramatic impact with minimal fuss. But with so many varieties to choose from, it’s helpful to understand the different types of climbing roses and which ones are best suited to your landscape goals.

Clematis montana 'Rubens'

Clematis montana 'Rubens' is a vigorous and stunning deciduous climber known for its profusion of soft pink, vanilla-scented flowers in spring. The blooms contrast beautifully with the bronze-tinged foliage, creating an impressive display on fences, pergolas, and trellises.

Buy Clematis montana 'Rubens'

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 7.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

Rose 'Cecil Brunner' is a treasured old fashioned climbing rose, admired for its sprays of small, perfectly shaped soft pink flowers and delicate fragrance. The charming blooms create a romantic display through the warmer months, bringing timeless character to NZ gardens.

Buy Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

From $30.29

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Rose Plants

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Arches, Living areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

What Are Climbing Roses?

Climbing roses are not true vines, but they produce long, arching canes that can be trained and tied to structures. These versatile roses can reach impressive heights, offering extended periods of blooms and a range of colours, forms, and fragrances. When considering types of climbing roses, you’ll encounter repeat-blooming modern climbers, classic old-fashioned ramblers, and special cultivars with unique attributes.

Popular Types of Climbing Roses for Kiwi Gardens

Large-Flowered Climbers

Large-flowered climbing roses are prized for their bold, showy blooms. These are perfect for placing near entryways or as standalone garden features.

A standout among these is the Rose Blackberry Nip Climbing. This much-loved New Zealand variety produces deep magenta blooms with a sweet, spicy scent, bringing vibrant colour to any vertical space.

Rambling Roses

Ramblers are known for their vigorous, flexible canes and clusters of smaller flowers. They’re particularly suited to covering pergolas or rambling through trees.

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose) is a classic rambler, offering clouds of soft yellow blooms in early spring. With its thornless stems and lush foliage, it’s ideal for low-maintenance, large-scale coverage.

Old-Fashioned and Heritage Climbers

Classic climbing roses bring a touch of heritage charm. Their blooms are often fragrant and packed with old-world romance.

The Rose Albertine is a favourite among those who appreciate strong scent and lush, double apricot-pink flowers. This luxurious rose thrives in New Zealand conditions and provides delightful spring and summer display.

Modern Repeat-Flowering Climbers

Modern climbers are bred for continuous bloom and disease resistance, making them perfect for busy gardeners.

The Rosa 'Iceberg' Climbing boasts pure white flowers in generous clusters, repeating reliably through the season. It’s versatile enough for training up trellises or over arches and is renowned for its ease of care.

Rose Ann Turner is a contemporary favourite, producing neat, vibrant clusters of flowers well into autumn. Its compact growth and minimal thorns make it an excellent choice for smaller urban gardens.

Choosing the Right Climbing Rose

When selecting from the many types of climbing roses, consider flowering period, colour, fragrance, and growth habit. Some varieties are ideal for dramatic vertical statements, while others are better for gentle rambling effects. Whether you’re seeking a classic look with Rose Albertine or the enduring freshness of Rosa 'Iceberg' Climbing, you’ll find a variety to suit every garden and style.

Discover more inspiring climbing rose options and bring your garden to life with lush, colourful blooms that flourish season after season.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

types of climbing roses

Clematis montana 'Rubens'

Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

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What Are Climbing Roses?