Few plants rival the elegance and romantic charm of climbing roses. With their arching canes and cascading blooms, these ornamental beauties add vertical interest, fragrance, and timeless grace to garden walls, arbors, pergolas, and trellises. Whether you prefer classic, full-petaled blooms or modern reblooming varieties, climbing roses can transform bare spaces into blooming masterpieces. Here are 10 breathtaking climbing roses to elevate your garden’s vertical spaces with color, perfume, and old-world charm.
1. Eden Rose (Rosa ‘Eden’)
Also known as ‘Pierre de Ronsard,’ the Eden Rose is a French-bred climbing rose that’s become iconic for its large, cup-shaped blooms with soft pink centers fading to cream. Its romantic, peony-like flowers appear in flushes from late spring to fall. Eden Rose grows vigorously to 8–10 feet tall and is perfect for walls or arched entryways. With excellent disease resistance and a light, fruity fragrance, this rose is a favorite for romantic gardens with a classic European feel.
2. Zephirine Drouhin (Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’)
One of the few nearly thornless climbing roses, ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ is ideal for pathways, patios, or areas where people may brush against the canes. This rose blooms in a rich, deep pink with a strong, sweet damask fragrance. It thrives even in partial shade and reaches heights of 10–15 feet. A repeat bloomer from spring through fall, it’s known for its reliability and vintage charm. Its combination of fragrance, beauty, and near-thornlessness makes it perfect for intimate garden spaces.
3. New Dawn (Rosa ‘New Dawn’)
A classic and vigorous climbing rose, ‘New Dawn’ offers soft blush-pink flowers with a delicate, fruity scent. It’s a repeat bloomer and can grow up to 20 feet high, making it ideal for covering walls, pergolas, or large trellises. Introduced in 1930, this rose is one of the first officially recognized repeat-blooming climbers. It’s known for its resilience, tolerance to poor soil, and minimal maintenance needs. ‘New Dawn’ is an excellent choice for adding grace and light color to vertical spaces.
4. Don Juan (Rosa ‘Don Juan’)
For deep red drama in the garden, few climbing roses rival the bold beauty of ‘Don Juan.’ This velvety red rose features large, fragrant blooms and glossy dark green foliage. It grows up to 10–12 feet tall and makes a stunning statement on arbors or garden walls. ‘Don Juan’ is a repeat bloomer, often flowering from spring through frost, and has a strong rose scent. Its classic red color adds passion and sophistication to any garden structure.
5. Golden Showers (Rosa ‘Golden Showers’)
If you’re looking to brighten a wall or fence with sunny color, ‘Golden Showers’ delivers radiant yellow blooms that fade to a buttery cream. This cheerful climbing rose is hardy, disease-resistant, and blooms repeatedly throughout the season. Growing up to 10–12 feet, it adapts well to trellises, fences, or even as a pillar rose. Its lightly fragrant blooms and vigorous growth make it a favorite for gardeners who want a pop of sunshine and a reliable performer.
6. Iceberg Climbing Rose (Rosa ‘Iceberg’)
A climbing version of the beloved ‘Iceberg’ floribunda, this white rose is known for its prolific blooming and clean, pure color. ‘Climbing Iceberg’ blooms in clusters of semi-double, slightly fragrant flowers from spring to late fall. Its elegant white blooms stand out beautifully against dark green leaves, making it ideal for nighttime gardens or pairing with more colorful companions. It can reach up to 12–15 feet and thrives in both warm and cooler climates with minimal fuss.
7. Lady of Shalott (Rosa ‘Lady of Shalott’)
From the famed David Austin collection, ‘Lady of Shalott’ is a repeat-flowering climber with orange-apricot, chalice-shaped blooms that carry a warm, spiced tea fragrance. The arching canes can be trained as a climber to 8–10 feet or left to sprawl beautifully. Its rich, warm colors add an exotic yet elegant touch to walls, trellises, or fences. It’s one of the more disease-resistant Austin roses, making it an excellent choice for those seeking beauty with ease of care.
8. Fourth of July (Rosa ‘Fourth of July’ / ‘Crazy for You’)
Bursting with bold, striped blooms of red and white, ‘Fourth of July’ is a fun and festive climbing rose that offers a unique twist on traditional rose colors. This repeat bloomer is highly fragrant and grows up to 12 feet tall. It adds personality and flair to any garden wall or archway. Its strong apple scent and eye-catching pattern make it a conversation starter and a favorite for those who want something different from the usual pastels.
9. Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose (Rosa ‘Climbing Cecile Brunner’)
Known as the “Sweetheart Rose,” ‘Cecile Brunner’ produces clusters of small, perfectly formed pink blooms with a light, tea-rose fragrance. The climbing variety can reach up to 20–30 feet, making it ideal for covering large walls, pergolas, or garden structures. Though it has one heavy bloom in spring, its sheer mass of flowers is breathtaking. This rose combines delicate beauty with an impressive scale, creating a fairytale-like effect when in full bloom.
10. James Galway (Rosa ‘James Galway’)
Another stunning David Austin rose, ‘James Galway’ features large, old-fashioned blooms in a soft shell-pink that deepen towards the center. This nearly thornless climber grows up to 12 feet and offers repeat blooms throughout the growing season. It’s perfect for archways or garden walls where a soft, romantic touch is desired. With its classic form and reliable performance, ‘James Galway’ is a top pick for gardeners who want the charm of English roses with climbing versatility.