If you read the books on roses, most advise that these versatile plants need a full day’s sun, or at least plenty of sunshine. But they will actually grow well with just four or five hours of sunshine. I have already written about shrub roses that will grow well in shade, now it is the turn of climbing and rambling roses.
What nearly all roses don’t like is growing under the canopy of trees or large shrubs where the combination of dryness at the roots and one-sided light will draw them and make them grow poorly. The exceptions to this are the rambling roses when planted to grow up through trees. Here they usually have to start off in fairly heavy shade but once they get their roots down the stems will be drawn up through the branches and out into the light and then hang down creating beautiful festoons of flowers.
When it comes to growing gorgeous roses, most people think you need a sunny spot. But that’s not always the case! Many climbing rose varieties actually thrive in shady conditions making them the perfect choice for north-facing walls fences or other dimly lit areas of your garden.
In this article, I’ll share my top picks for climbing roses that flourish in shade, along with tips on how to care for them. With the right selection, you can enjoy stunning rose blooms even in problem shady locations!
Why Choose Climbing Roses for Shade?
Climbing roses are ideal for shady areas thanks to their rambling growth habit. The long flexible canes can roam over structures, covering ugly walls and brightening up dull corners with cascades of charming blooms.
Compared to bush roses that need 6+ hours of sun, many climbing roses are more flexible. They can cope with as little as 2-4 hours of sunlight. This makes them perfect for spots getting just morning sun or dappled light filtered through trees.
Their versatility is amazing – from large flowering ramblers to repeat bloomers. I always try to incorporate climbers in any garden design, and especially for shade solutions.
Best Climbing Roses for Shady Spots
Based on the sites I referenced, here are some top shade-tolerant climbing roses to consider
New Dawn
One of the fastest growing climbing roses, with prolific light pink blooms from summer to frost. Perfect for quickly covering fences or walls.
Climbing Cécile Brünner
Features clustered, sweetly scented shell pink flowers from early summer onward. It’s a large rose that’s almost thornless.
Climbing Iceberg
Repeatedly bears semi-double white blooms throughout the season. A vigorous climber with few thorns on the long canes.
Madame Alfred Carrière
A tall, vigorous climber that produces mid-sized, light pink flowers with a lovely fragrance in summer and fall.
Gertrude Jekyll
An English rose with deeply colored pink blooms and intense, fruity fragrance. Does well as a short climber.
Veilchenblau
Small blooms give a pop of color in summer with violet-blue hue. This rambler can reach 15 feet.
The Generous Gardener
English climbing rose with pretty pink petals. It’s popular for its disease resistance and shade tolerance.
Albéric Barbier
Features cream flowers with yellow centers that bloom abundantly in June. Grows 13-26 feet tall.
Caring for Climbing Roses in Shady Areas
To help your climbing roses thrive in shade, follow these care tips:
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Plant in rich, fertile, humus-enriched soil to support growth and flowering. Improve drainage if needed.
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Water deeply 2-3 times per week the first year to establish a good root system.
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Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring to fuel the growing season.
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Prune lightly after blooming to shape and encourage new growth. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Provide sturdy support with a trellis, wires or wall for the flexible canes to climb up.
Transform Your Shady Garden with Climbing Roses
With the right variety suited to shade and proper care, you can enjoy rose blooms even in challenging shady spots. The rambling growth makes climbers ideal choices where most roses struggle.
Next time you’re looking to add color, elegance and fragrance to a shaded garden area, consider these climbing rose picks that thrive with partial sun. They’ll reward you with armloads of blossoms!
Climbing roses for shade
Many of the English climbing roses are excellent on north or shady walls especially the following:
- Rose ‘Crown Princess Margareta’ has glorious, neatly formed rosettes of lovely apricot-orange flowers with a strong, fruity fragrance. A well-rounded, slightly arching growth and a repeat flowerer too. Ideal for a shady spot.
- Rose ‘Graham Thomas’, once voted as the world’s favourite rose and holds the RHS award of garden merit. It has cupped blooms in an unusual rich shade of yellow, with a fresh, lovely tea fragrance.
- Rose ‘Mortimer Sackler’ is a graceful rose, bearing large sprays of loosely double, soft pink flowers. It has a lovely Old Rose fragrance with delicious hints of fruit. An exceptionally healthy and repeat flowering rose. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- Rose ‘The Generous Gardener’ is an exquisite climbing rose with large, cup-shaped flowers of delicate appearance and palest pink colouring. Strong and delicious fragrance. Extremely healthy. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- Rose ‘The Pilgrim’ bears large, perfectly formed, soft yellow rosettes which are produced freely. The flowers have a delicious mixed fragrance of tea rose and myrrh. A very healthy and reliable plant with attractive, bushy growth. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
26 Flowering Vines for Shade Best Shade
FAQ
What roses are good for shady areas?
Roses for Shady Areas
Varieties like Gallicas, Damasks, and Albas, which bloom only once, also do well in these conditions, as do climbers and ramblers, making them ideal for north-facing walls and other less sunny spots.
What’s the difference between a climbing rose and a rambling rose?
The difference between Climbers and Ramblers is that climbers are repeat flowering with single flushes of blooms and ramblers flower once but offer a plant smothered in blooms in their season, (normally June to July). Ramblers do not need dead heading but climbers will produce more blooms if you dead-head regularly.
Do all climbing roses need full sun?
While they tolerate some shade, they will bloom more and grow more dense and full when they receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sun each day.
Will New Dawn climbing rose grow in shade?
‘New Dawn’ has historical significance because it holds the first plant patent ever granted. Flowers appear singly or in small clusters on thorny canes and produce a prolific flush of blooms in the spring. This vigorous rose has good disease tolerance and will tolerate poor soil and partial shade.