Rose lianas: the 10 best varieties

Paul's Himalayan Musk rose

Rose ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ is a vigorous, sturdy variety, able to grow very large since its long woody climbing stems can reach up to 10 metres tall. In early summer (June–July), it is adorned with a multitude of small pale pink flowers! These offer delicate shades, ranging from white to pink. They are semi-double, forming small rosettes, and the petals reveal at the centre a cluster of yellow stamens. They give off a powerful, very pleasant fragrance. It is an ideal variety for training up a tree! All these qualities earned it the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Delicate flowering of rose ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ (photo T.Kiya)

Albertine rose

‘Albertine’ is an old rose that produces pale pink flowers in June–July – slightly coppery. Its flowers are fairly large, 8 to 9 cm in diameter, and double, made up of numerous petals that appear “crumpled”. This gives them a tousled, untidy look! They are also pleasantly scented. With its exuberant, slightly vintage character, ‘Albertine’ has all the charm of old roses! It also tolerates partial shade quite well. It has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Double, crumpled flowers of the ‘Albertine’ rose! (photo Spedona)

Banks' rose 'Lutea'

This Banks rose has the advantage of flowering early: from April–May it is covered with countless pale yellow, double flowers forming small pom-poms! Its flowering is very bright and abundant. Moreover, it has no thorns! It is robust and very vigorous, not very susceptible to disease. It grows quickly and can reach impressive proportions. It is particularly suited to Mediterranean gardens and the climate of southern France, where it will thrive best, although it is fairly hardy, able to withstand down to −12 °C.

Banks rose ‘Lutea’ offers abundant, radiant flowering (photo Midori)

→ Discover our articles about this wonderful rose: Banks roses: discover these exuberant liana roses! and Banks rose: how to grow it successfully

Rose 'Dentelle de Malines'

Rambling rose ‘Dentelle de Malines’ offers a delightful pale pink and white flowering in early summer — spectacular! It then produces clusters of small semi-double, cup-shaped flowers about 5 cm in diameter. It is prized for the delicate flowering, in shades of pale pink and white, beautifully highlighted by yellow stamens that appear at the centre of the flower between the petals. It tolerates partial shade quite well and is disease-resistant. You can train it up a support, or use it as groundcover!

A delicate flowering display in shades of white and pale pink!

Blush Rambler rose

In June–July, ‘Blush Rambler’ rose literally becomes covered in flowers! They are gathered in dense clusters that seem to hide the foliage beneath them. The flowers are semi-double, soft pink and scented. It is a remarkable rose for its generous flowering in pastel tones. It reaches up to 4.50 m in height and can be used to cover an unsightly building or to climb a tree and cloak it in a profusion of flowers! Moreover, it bears very few thorns! It is a hybrid of Rosa multiflora, bred in 1903.

Pink flowers with yellow stamens of ‘Blush Rambler’ rose

Bobbie James rose

‘Bobbie James’ is a rose that produces a pure white, very luminous flowering! The flowers are single, cup-shaped and fairly small, measuring only 4 to 5 cm across. The petals surround a centre of golden-yellow stamens, which adds a lovely touch of colour to the flowering. They give off a clove scent. After flowering, it bears orange hips, which prolong its appeal. It is fairly disease-resistant. It is particularly vigorous and can reach 8 to 10 metres in height. In the garden, do not hesitate to train it up a tree or use it to cover a large pergola. This hybrid of Rosa multiflora, raised in 1961, was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

‘Bobbie James’ offers a bright and abundant flowering

Malvern Hills rose

‘Malvern Hills’ is a reliable variety, offering small orange-yellow flowers, gathered in clusters. They are double, made up of a large number of imbricated petals, and measure only 4 cm in diameter. Its bright colour is much admired! Unlike most liana roses, ‘Malvern Hills’ has the advantage of being perpetual! It is thus able to flower from early summer through to the first frosts. It climbs to 3–4 metres in height and has healthy, glossy green foliage. This is a David Austin introduction.

Bright, refined flowering of ‘Malvern Hills’

Kew Rambler rose

‘Kew Rambler’ is an old rose that bears simple flowers composed of five petals, soft pink on the outside and rather white in the centre, surrounding yellow stamens. Its flowering is fairly late, but abundant and fragrant. After flowering, it produces orange-coloured fruits that are very decorative. It is a large, imposing variety, capable of reaching 7 metres in height! It was raised in 1912 at Kew botanical garden, which is how it got its variety name.

Simple flowers of rose ‘Kew Rambler’!

Rose 'American Pillar'

‘American Pillar’ flowers in June–July, producing single flowers gathered in clusters. They consist of five broad, undulating petals, deep pink on the outside and white at the centre, with a heart of yellow stamens. Its flowering stands out nicely against its glossy dark green foliage. In autumn it bears fairly large, decorative rose hips. It is a vigorous, robust rose, whose long canes allow it to reach up to 6–7 metres high. It is not perpetual, but do not hesitate to plant it with a clematis which will then take over!

Vivid colour of flowers of rose ‘American Pillar’ (photo Spedona)

Seagull

‘Seagull’ is a liana rose offering large clusters of white flowers with golden-yellow stamens in spring. The flowers are semi-double and give off a slight fragrance. They are abundant and beautifully cover foliage. It is a very early variety, often flowering as early as May. It bears light green leaves and produces red hips in autumn. Feel free to plant it at the base of a tree and train it to climb up.

Semi-double white flowers of ‘Seagull’ rose