Rambling about Rambler Roses

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Why These Climbing Beauties Should be Your Garden!

Rambler roses are beautiful climbers that can add a touch of romance and elegance to any garden. These roses are known for their abundance of blooms, which cascade down the stems in large clusters.

However, rambler roses take slightly different care than many other roses, even climbers.

In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips and tricks for growing rambler roses so you can get the most from them.

Ramblers differ from climbing roses though they are often confused. At the end of this post, I have a list of some favorite ramblers that are great growers!

Ramblers are much more vigorous and typically bloom once a season for a few weeks with sprays of smaller roses then carry lovely hips in the Fall. (this is not always the case, see below for more info)

Climbers repeat bloom through the season and display larger yet fewer flowers.

Choose the Right Location

Rambler roses require full sun to thrive, so choose a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day.

These roses also prefer well-draining soil, so make sure the soil in the planting area is loose and friable.

Even the worst of soils can be amended over time to create the well-draining loam we all wish we had.

Plant Properly

When planting rambler roses, make sure the hole is large enough to accommodate the root ball.

(Optional) Add some organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, to the soil to improve its texture and fertility. (if you already have great soil this step isn’t necessary)

Place the plant in the hole and backfill it with soil, gently tamping down to remove any air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

If you get your rambler roses bare-root then don’t be afraid to trim back the roots to better fit into the planting hole.

This won’t hurt the plant and in fact, stimulates new growth.

See this post for all about Bare Root Roses!

Provide Support

Rambler roses are vigorous climbers and require support to grow upright.

You can provide support by tying the stems to a trellis, arbor, or fence. Make sure the support structure is sturdy and can withstand the weight of the plant.

During the growing season, you will want to keep tying in the whippy canes that these types of roses put out. They can grow very long so make sure you have plenty of space for them to climb.

Ramblers will often produce long, flexible branches from ground level. THESE ARE NOT SUCKERS and will produce next year’s flowers.

Ramblers are grown on their own roots and not grafted, which makes them even better for cold regions.

Grow clematis with them on their supports for additional gorgeousness!

Pruning Rambler Roses

Pruning is essential for rambler roses if you wish to keep them in check or maintain their shape.

But here is where these roses differ from others.

Many rambler roses bloom once in late Spring/Early Summer and need to be pruned directly after bloom in mid to late Summer instead of in early Spring.

They bloom on old wood or growth from the previous season. You want to be sure to prune back the canes that had flowers this year.

Inspect the rose well, and cut out any diseased, damaged, or dead wood.

Also, remove any stems that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Cut back any stems that are growing outside of the desired shape.

Some ramblers require little to no pruning and can be left to grow up through trees, along eaves, or against a wall or fence you wish to cover!

Water and Fertilize

Rambler roses appreciate regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. (though I have seen many growing in old farmyards with no care whatsoever)

Water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.

Many say to apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer to encourage strong growth and abundant blooms but I prefer to use this organic liquid fertilizer that not only feeds the plants but feeds the soil as well.

Pests and Diseases

Rambler roses can be susceptible to pests and diseases like aphids, spider mites, and black spot.

Some seem more inclined to get powdery mildew than others. I choose to keep my plants healthy and battle it out rather than spraying but you can use an organic product to keep these things in better check.

Just note, that because sprays are listed as organic does not mean it is safe to use around the pollinators you want to be attracted to your garden.

My preferred method is letting the good pests eat the bad. Ladybug eating aphids on lupine.

So do you want to try rambler roses yet? It can be so easy. Growing rambler roses that flourish takes just a few things like proper location, planting, support, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and pest control.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful display of beautiful blooms and healthy growth in your rambler rose garden.

My favorite best rambling roses…

I like rambler roses that are known to rebloom along with ones that bloom just once.

In my garden, the ramblers tend to bloom first before any of my other roses but that may not be true in all locations.

1. Albertine Roses: 1921, Breeder Rene’ Barbier. Its sweet perfume is memorable, as is the sudden lavish display in summer of coppery pink, loosely double flowers on arching, thorny, reddish stems. It makes an excellent cut flower. The lovely pink flowers are first on the scene in Spring in my garden.
2. Rural England: 2006, Breeder Peter Beales. Rural England is a continual blooming rambler that produces masses of medium-sized, soft pink flowers in large, cascading clusters. She is as beautiful as she sounds and is a perfect choice for archways and trellises. This rose has fewer thorns than most roses, which is a bonus if planted near a path!
3. Pauls Himalayan Musk: A vigorous rambler from 1899 with canes sometimes reaching 30 feet – great for climbing trees! The fragrant, double blooms are 1-inch rosettes, pale pink, and grow in large, pendulous sprays over a long bloom season in early summer. Very small, oval red hips.
4. White Lady Banks: 1807, Once Blooming. Lady Banks roses are thornless and appear to have no serious insect or disease problems. They are long-lived. During the massive flowering, 1 inch blooms cover the plant like a thick blanket, lasting up to six weeks. Cold is its worst enemy, with hardiness questionable below 15 degrees F. For some reason, deer do not like to eat these roses, so they are perfect to naturalize.
5. Rambling Rector Rose: 1900, breeder unknown. Rambling Rector’s star-like blossoms open flat to reveal a center of golden stamens. The brilliant white flowers grow in large clusters and bloom once in the season. This historic rambler is perfect for fences, garden walls or pergolas as it spreads up to 20′. In the autumn, Rector bears masses of small hips, adding interest to the matte and medium green foliage.
6. Veilchenblau rambler rose: Often called “The Blue Rose”, this vigorous, nearly thornless rambler has small crimson or purple blossoms that fade to a grey-blue color. Although the literature indicates a tendency to re-bloom, we have not witnessed this occurrence. Seen up close, there are streaks of white in each flower and the gold stamens are brightly displayed. The fragrance is excellent.
7. Alberic Barbier: 1900 Breeder Barbier. Irregularly shaped double blooms open cream from apricot and yellow buds and then fade to gardenia white. In a sunny situation, there is a massive display of bloom over an extended period in the spring with occasional individual blooms later in the season. The lax habit would make a great ground cover on an embankment, etc. Dark green glossy foliage. 
8. American Pillar: 1902 Breeder Dr. Walter Van Fleet. This popular rambling rose is vigorous, disease resistant, and trainable to heights of 15 feet or more.  American Pillar is extremely prolific producing mid-summer clusters of bright pink, single flowers with white eye.  The mass display is spectacular and long-lasting. Glossy, dark green foliage.

Want more climbing and rambler rose inspiration? See this short video showing a rose garden that is to die for.

At the time of this posting I am working on creating my own Rose Alley and will share the journey. I admit it will be a challenge for me as my growing conditions can be tough for roses but I am hoping to find roses that are up for the challenge!

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