Climbing Roses Part 2

Climing Roses

Come in so many varieties - it’s had to decide which one is my favorite

The month of May sends roses climbing

I am lucky to live near the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. I stroll through the many gardens every week, including some of my favorites like the Desert Garden, Jungle Garden, Camellia Garden, Shakespeare Garden, winding up at my favorite, the Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden was first established in 1908 for Henry and Arabella Huntington when the expansive property was their estate. Roses were a favorite flower of Arabella's, and she would feature them in her elaborate floral arrangements throughout her home. Henry was an art collector and a connoisseur of unusual plant specimens. He gathered indigenous plants on his worldwide trips hoping they would grow in Southern California's mild climate.

Margaret Mae is one such climber in a brilliant magenta

The Rose Garden stretches over three acres and contains more than 2,500 individual plants and more than 1,300 different cultivated varieties. Most impressive to me are the climbing roses. The Huntington has trellises and pergolas to display the many gorgeous varieties. The names are interesting, like Good Day Sunshine, Fourth of July, Cupid’s Kisses, and Margaret Mae. The blooms begin to peak out in the spring in March and can last beyond Thanksgiving, thanks to Southern California’s long growing season.

Colette is a deep blush color with many petals.

Cupid’s Kisses is a smaller flower but very abundant.

Climbing roses need tender loving care and patience to get them to maturity.

The popular Iceberg Rose is also a good climber

and is a repeat bloomer!

Let’s get started. To learn how to grow your own climbing roses, read this article by The Spruce.

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Photos by the author.

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