Climbing roses are quite popular, especially for those with small gardens. When these are trained on a support, such as a trellis or arbor, they utilize the vertical space in the garden. These types of roses are noted for their long, sturdy canes, which bear blossoms all along the length of the canes.

Ramblers are considered a special category of climbing roses. Ramblers begin flowering very late in the growing season, and have large clusters with small blooms.

There are a number of widely popular climbing roses that are readily available in America. These include the original Blaze as well as the Blaze Improved, America, Above All, and Joseph’s coat. Golden Showers rose is a climber that was named an All-America Rose Selection winner in 1957, and also received a Portland Gold Medal in 1951.

In this article, we look at one of the climbers, the much loved Zephirine Drouhin rose.


Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose

When it comes to climbing roses, one that really stands out is Zephirine Drouhin. This heirloom rose, which was introduced in 1868, is a Bourbon rose. Originating in France, it was bred by Bizot.

This almost thornless climbing rose is praised for the fact that it is adapted to part shade and is pretty much disease resistant in most cases. However, Taylor’s rose guide reports that in certain climates, it can experience some disease problems.

This very reliable plant can be grown along walkways and heavily trafficked
since it is largely free of thorns. A low to medium climbing rose, Zephirine Drouhin can also be trained as a shrub, in which case it will be an upright well branched bush.

The vigorous plant is generally recommended for zones five through nine. The adaptable plant withstands alkaline soils and pollution.

This very popular antique rose is generally six to twelve feet tall and four to six feet wide. It features arching stems. The new leaves are purplish-copper.

Zephrinine Drouhin is easy to train on a support. The Antique Rose Emporium describes it as “the most consistently blooming large flowered climbing rose.” It blooms from spring through the fall and is almost always in bloom. As cut flowers, these blossoms have a vase life of about ten days.

The ruffled, semi-double, pink-carmine to deep pink blossoms are very romantic. They’re loose and cupped, 3½ to four inches wide. Moderately fragrant, these have a 20 to 24 petal count.

The blooms are so numerous they pretty much conceal the foliage. Zephirine Drouhin rose plants are available from Jungs and Spring Hill as well as other sources.