Don't Forget "Rambling Roses."

I think Rambling Roses have got a bad rap!

When talking of rose gardening we often forget the rambler. Perhaps we consider it to be a wild, roadside character, that can't be tamed. The name itself doesn't seem to fit the picture of the organized, well tended, pedigreed rose garden. But these roses have a unique charm, hidden talents and they can solve many an interesting landscaping problem!

Rambling roses are from the family of old roses, but whereas most roses send up bare stems to produce foliage and blooms above, ramblers readily produce healthy growth right from the base. Most produce thin, pliable stems that make them suitable for twining along fences and over arbours. They flower in late spring and repeat in late summer. Many have outstanding fragrance.

Ramblers go by several "family" names. In the U.S. they are often called the Memorial Rose. Rosa Wichuraiana on the other hand originated in Asia and was hybridized in France and the U.S. to produce a new range of glossy ramblers.

As for landscaping, if you have an unsightly shed, a long delapidated fence or a rotting stump, then what better way to conceal it than by covering it with the spectacular blooms of a rambler.

Here are some suggestions:

Dorothy Perkins
Found all over the world, this American rambler is covered in pink blooms and a great climber but without the bare legs. Does tend to mildew later in the season.
Alberic Barbier
The evergreen classic from New Zealand. Apple fragrance from creamy white blooms.
Paul Transom
Healthy, vigorous rambler with pink double blooms that bloom repeatedly throughout the summer.
New Dawn
Soft pink blooms with round leaves. An early American rambler.(1930's)
Francois Juranville
This spectacular rambler has deep pink blooms and is a very vigorous grower.
May Queen
Lilac pink blooms and very healthy dark green foliage.

Perhaps the best of all. Much admired for its strong spring fragrance and pink buds. Has more the habits of a climber than a rambler.

Perhaps this often overlooked class of roses needs to be re-examined for it's landscaping possibilities, it's blooms and it's fragrance.
Don't overlook the lowly rambler.



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