Picking the “best” roses is an objective process and in this case, the ratings of the American Roses Society have been used. Every year the American Rose Society enlists the help of people all over the country to evaluate the roses they grow. Each rose cultivar is evaluated on a number of characteristics including garden performance which considers such factors as vigor and growth habit, number of blooms, how quickly the plant repeats, the beauty and lasting quality of the blooms in the garden, fragrance, resistance to mildew, blackspot and rust, winter hardiness, and quality of the foliage. The results of this survey are published in an issue of American Rose and ratings are published in the ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses.
On the basis of this survey the following five roses were selected as the best large flowered climbers.
Casa Blanca
Flowers are produced in small clusters and have a flat form. Vigorous bushes carry glossy dark green leaves .
Origin: Sima, US, 1968
Parentage: ‘New Dawn’ x ‘Fashion’
Petal Count:Semi double
Scent: Mild
Flowering: Occasional repeat during the season
Plant Size: 8-10’ H x 4-5’ W
Hardiness: Zone 5-9
ARS: 9.1
‘Demokracie’
Also known as ‘Improved Blaze’ this large-flowered climber is a sport of ‘Blaze’. It bears its scarlet-red flowers singly or in cluster of about seven. Each flower is round, double, and lightly fragrant. The plant has sturdy canes and is fairly vigorous. Its large medium to dark green leaves are glossy and somewhat resistant to mildew and blackspot. Can be grown on a wall, trellis or pillar and its flowers do well in the vase.
Orign: Bohm, Czechoslovakia, 1935
Parentage: ‘Blaze’ x unknown
Flower Size: 3.1
Petal Count: Double
Scent: Light to none
Flowering: Spectacular bloom in spring followed by intermittent bloom
Plant Size: 12-15’ H x 6-10’ W
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
ARS Rating: 8.9
‘Royal Sunset’
Long buds carried singly or in small clusters (usually three) open to cup-shaped flowers with twenty petals. Each petal is pale orange and has hints of gold and yellow at the base. The plant is vigorous with strong stems and many prickles. The large leaves are leathery and dark green. Although not well known in most of the world, ‘Royal Sunset’ is popular in the US especially in California. Flowers do well in the vase.
Origin: Morey, US, 1960
Parentage:’Sungold’ x ‘Sutter’s Gold’
Flower Size: 5 “
Petal Count: 20
Scent: Strong, sweet, fruity
Flowering: Repeats
Plant Size: 8-16’ H x 10’ W
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
ARS Rating: 8.9
‘Sombreuil’
The creamy white flowers of this Tea-Noisette are sometimes tinged with pink and are carried in small clusters (usually three), or singly. They are quartered, quilled, sometimes have a green eye, and open flat with a multitude of petals. The petals are thin and do not do well in cold damp weather but last well in the vase. The fragrance is strong and one of the outstanding features of the rose. The foliage is glossy, dark green, and disease resistant.
Origin: Robert, France, 1850
Parentage: Unknown
Flower Size: 3.5
Petal Count: 60
Scent: Strong. Sweet, tea-like
Flowering: Flushes
Plant Size: 8- 13’ H x 5-6.5’ W
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
ARS Rating: 8.7
Newport FairyLarge clusters of small, single flowers with rose pink flowers with white centers that surround a cluster of yellow stamens. The bushes are very vigorous and carry medium green glossy leaves.
Origin: Gardner, US, 1907
Parentage: Rose Wichuriana x Crimson Rambler
Flower Size: 1.25”
Petal Count: Single
Scent: Mild
Flowering: Once spring or summer
Plant Size: 12-25’ H x 8’ W
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
ARS Rating: 8.6