Some Climbers For Show

By Robert B. Martin, Jr.

Prior to moving to Arizona, I was not overly familiar with ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ aka “Eden”, but it turns out to be one of my wife Dona’s favorites, and a new one is now generously producing blooms on the pool fence in our new garden. Here is what she has had to say about it:

” ‘Eden’ is one of the most floriferous climbers in my garden and so appealing, I planted a second one next to the first! Described as a pink blend, having white with pink edged blooms, a mild fragrance, and 55 to 60 petals, the double, globular blossoms have an average diameter of 3″. ?The canes of this climber are moderately lax, which allows it to be used on both the pillar and on a wall or fence. It remains very clean, with little attraction for powdery mildew. The blooms are a creamy white and although they definitely have a narrow, raspberry pink edge, they also have noticeable flush of green to the outer petals. In fact, this green is even more pronounced in the unusually rounded buds, which is quite intriguing. The thick foliage is a shiny dark green, with leaves well spaced and of proportionate size.

Pierre de Ronsard Photo by Cliff Orent

These blooms can be disbudded and enjoyed singly or grown as a spray, which is equally lovely. The buds form at every leaf axil of the horizontal canes, resulting in an almost solid mass of flowers from top to bottom and side-to-side. Modest, somewhat sporadic blooming follows this phenomenal peak bloom display. As the primary display lasts even in the Arizona heat for about six to eight weeks, one can hardly complain. In addition, the canes stay fully covered with leaves throughout the year unlike some varieties that can look rather sparse or leggy. This is an excellent choice for any size garden, as the canes spread from 6′ to 12′ on a fence, also a good size for training around a pillar.”

Not shown on this list, but impressing me greatly for the quality of the blooms I have seen recently appearing on the show tables, is ‘The Impressionist’, introduced in 2000 by John Clements of Heirloom Roses in Oregon. It was bred from a cross of the Griffith Buck shrub, ‘Distant Drums’ x ‘Graham Thomas’, the superb modern shrub from David Austin, and introduced as the first “English style” climbing rose. Those who grow ‘Graham Thomas’ will doubt that latter claim, but the large blooms on this rose are absolutely spectacular, with the classic rosette quartered form of ‘Sombreuil’ but in a delicious blend of peach, orange and yellow. It is also very fragrant.

As for the bush, well I don’t really know since all I have are several young specimens being grown in containers. Those in the know have suggested that it grows more as a pillar than a true climber, in that its canes are stiff and its growth habit very upright. I have also heard reservations expressed about its disease resistance, having heard reports of mildew and blackspot. This is of concern to me, but I may try it anyway because of the extraordinary blooms.

The gardens of exhibitors are often populated by roses selected with the view that “if it doesn’t show?it doesn’t grow.” But as this chart shows, there are a number of good climbers that grow and show well. So try one and be sure to bring your blooms to your local rose show for others to enjoy as well.

Robert B. Martin, Jr. has been growing roses for over 30 years. He resides in Gilbert, AZ where he and his wife Dona maintain a rose garden of 400 roses.

Bob is the Pacific Southwest District Director of the American Rose Society. He is also the Editor of the American Rose Society quarterly publication Rose Exhibitors’ Forum and Chairman of the ARS National Horticultural Exhibitors’ Committee. He is the author of the book “Showing Good Roses” and maintains a website covering U.S. rose shows at www.RoseShow,com

Bob is an ARS Consulting Rosarian, an Accredited Horticultural Judge and an Accredited Arrangements Judge.