Hey there, fellow rose enthusiasts! I’ve been growing roses for years now, and one question I get asked all the time is about the difference between climbing and rambling roses. Let’s dive deep into these beautiful garden climbers and figure out which one might be perfect for your outdoor space!
Quick Overview
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here’s a simple breakdown of the main differences:
Climbing Roses
- Less vigorous growth
- Larger, individual flowers
- Usually repeat flowering throughout season
- Grow to about 12 feet (3.6m)
- Thicker, stiffer stems
Rambling Roses
- More vigorous growth
- Smaller flowers in clusters
- Usually flower once in late spring/early summer
- Can reach up to 20 feet (6m)
- More flexible stems with sharper thorns
Growth Characteristics
Climbing Roses
I’ve found that climbing roses are like the well-behaved cousins in the rose family. They grow in a more controlled manner with
- Slower, measured growth
- Thick, sturdy canes
- More compact habit
- Width around 4.5 feet (1.4m)
Rambling Roses
These are the wild children of the rose world! In my experience:
- They grow super fast (sometimes too fast!)
- Have thinner, more flexible canes
- Can be a bit unruly
- Love to spread out wherever they can
Flowering Habits
Let’s talk about blooms – cuz that’s what we’re all here for, right?
Climbing Roses
- Bloom period: June through August
- Repeat flowering capability
- Larger, often double flowers
- Flowers appear in clusters
- Great for consistent color throughout summer
Rambling Roses
- Main flush: Late spring to early summer
- Usually one-time bloomers
- Smaller flowers in large sprays
- Flowers all along the stems
- Sometimes get a second flush in September
Growing Requirements
Here’s what I’ve learned about keeping these beauties happy:
Soil & Location:
| Aspect | Climbing Roses | Rambling Roses |
|---|---|---|
| Soil | Loamy, well-drained | Most soil types |
| Sun | Full sun needed | Tolerates partial shade |
| Location | Structured spaces | Flexible locations |
Care & Maintenance
Watering
- Climbing roses: Need regular watering due to shorter roots
- Rambling roses: More drought-tolerant with deeper roots
Pruning (This is important!)
Climbing Roses:
- Heavy pruning in late winter
- Cut back main stems by about 2/3
- Regular maintenance throughout season
Rambling Roses:
- Light pruning in late winter/early spring
- Just remove dead/diseased growth
- Thin out overcrowded stems
Best Uses in the Garden
I’ve seen these roses used in so many amazing ways! Here’s where each type shines:
Climbing Roses Perfect For:
- Walls
- Trellises
- Formal archways
- Smaller spaces
- Structured gardens
Rambling Roses Excel At:
- Growing up trees
- Covering large fences
- Sprawling over pergolas
- Large areas
- Creating natural, wild looks
Pro Tips from My Experience
-
When choosing between the two, think about:
- Available space
- Desired maintenance level
- Flowering preferences
- Garden style (formal vs natural)
-
For beginners, I usually recommend climbing roses because:
- They’re easier to manage
- More predictable growth
- Regular blooms throughout season
-
Consider your time commitment:
- Climbers need more regular attention
- Ramblers need less frequent but more intensive maintenance sessions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen, we’ve all been there! Here are some oopsies to watch out for:
- Don’t plant a rambler in a small space (trust me, it’ll take over!)
- Don’t skip the support structure (both types need something to climb on)
- Don’t forget about winter protection in harsh climates
- Don’t overprune ramblers (they won’t thank you for it)
Final Thoughts
Choosing between climbing and rambling roses really comes down to your garden style and maintenance preferences. If you want a more controlled, repeat-flowering display, go with climbers. If you’re dreaming of a spectacular once-yearly show and have plenty of space, ramblers might be your thing!
Remember, whatever you choose, both types can create absolutely stunning displays when given the right care and attention. And hey, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up with both types anyway!
Happy gardening, folks! Drop a comment if you’ve got any questions – I’m always happy to chat about roses!
More Info on Climbers
Climbing Roses are an oddball category in that they are variants of pretty much all the other modern rose groups, selected for their freakishly long canes. A famous example of this is the floribunda shrub ‘Iceberg’, and its ‘Climbing Iceberg’ version.
As a consequence, climbers’ flowers are often more showy, benefit from being viewed from below as they droop slightly, and they often repeat or seem to flower continuously, especially if you can deadhead the spent flowers. Climbing roses really need a yearly trim to stay in good form; each side shoot that flowered should be cut back by two-thirds.
To restore an overgrown climber, cut the oldest stems to the ground, leaving about five or six of the “youngest mature” stems to use as the framework for the new growth. Apart from the five or six younger stems that you keep, remove all other young shoots.
All of that energy expended on flowering twice means that climbers will not generally grow as tall as ramblers. They also produce fewer shoots each year, which need to be trained in a balanced fan shape. Climbing roses also insist on a more exacting pruning regime to ensure maximum floral impact; more on rose pruning.
Wherever possible, you should train climbing rose canes diagonally so they produce more flowering shoots. A vertical stem will only flower at the top.
What are the Differences Between Climbers & Ramblers?
Rambling roses are much more wild in their DNA than Climbing roses, and this shows in their appearance.
The easiest way to tell a Climber and a Rambler apart is to see how they bloom:
- Most climbing roses repeat flower over a long season from summer into Autumn, usually in two main waves.
- Most rambling roses flower once, profusely, during summer, like a wild rose does. There are exceptions, like the repeating rambler Narrow Water.
If you are looking at the rose in late Summer or early Autumn, and it’s covered in thousands of rose-hips, it’s probably a Rambler. If it still has flowers or the recent remnants of faded flowers, it’s probably a Climber
- Climbing rose flowers are usually more refined, larger, and come in all possible modern rose colours and bi-colours
- Rambling rose flowers are usually simpler, smaller, massed together in clusters, and are mostly limited to the natural rose colours: pink, yellow, and white
- Climbers are tidier and less vigorous than a rambler, reaching smaller mature sizes, with stiffer new stems.
- A climber’s lanky stems must be trained onto supports, otherwise they would flop onto the ground.
- Ramblers are bushier and more vigorous than a climber, reaching larger mature sizes, with lots of whippy, flexible new stems.
- Without support, ramblers will form a large, mounded bush with arching stems.
Rambling roses are less demanding than Climbers, and are the best choice for poorer soils and dappled shade.
Difference Between Climbing and Rambling Roses
FAQ
Are rambling roses the same as climbing roses?
While they may look similar, there are actually quite a few differences between these two types of roses. Here’s a reference table as a quick guide too. You might say that rambling roses are the “wild side” of roses compared to the more classical, and “formal side” that are climbing roses. This is how I view it.
What is the difference between a Rambler and a climber rose?
One of the biggest differences between climbers and ramblers is their vigor and growth habits: Climbing roses tend to be less vigorous in their growth than ramblers. Climbers generally grow 8 to 15 feet tall. Rambling roses are extremely fast growing and vigorous. They can potentially grow 20 to 30 feet or more in ideal conditions.
Are rambler roses more aggressive than climbing roses?
Climbing roses tend to be more compact and tidy, with larger flowers than ramblers. They bloom on new wood and most are repeat flowering. Climbers need some support to climb but are less aggressive than ramblers. Rambling roses are extremely vigorous, potentially growing 20-30 feet. They produce smaller flowers in big clusters.
What is the difference between a climbing rose and a Ramper rose?
Rambler Roses typically bloom once a season in a spectacular display, while Climbing Roses often have repeat blooming cycles. Ramblers are more vigorous and can cover large areas quickly, making them ideal for expansive spaces, whereas Climbers are more controlled and suitable for trellises and smaller structures.
Are rambler roses hard to grow?
Many Rambler varieties produce crops of decorative hips in the fall, which persist in winter and glitter in the sun. Tough and reliable, Rambling Roses are generally healthy and disease resistant, tolerant of partial shade and poor soils. Rambler Roses require less care than Climbing Roses.
What are rambler roses & climbing roses?
When it comes to adding a touch of timeless elegance to gardens, few choices are as captivating as roses. Among the myriad varieties, Rambler Roses and Climbing Roses stand out for their ability to scale structures and create breathtaking vertical displays. But what sets these two stunning types apart?