Which climbing rose to choose for container growing?

The Basics for Choosing a Climbing Rose in a Pot

Growing a climbing rose in a pot is indeed possible. That’s the good news! But it’s important to remember that roses are fundamentally meant to grow in open ground. Their root system consists of deep taproots that anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

A Suitable Pot

When planting in a pot or container, you must adapt a climbing rose (this applies to all types of roses) to its container by choosing a pot with an appropriate volume of soil. A large container with a depth of at least 60 cm and the same diameter is essential, representing a volume of around 100 L.

→ Also read our advice in: How to calculate the volume of compost needed for a pot?

Tall… but not too tall!

Another factor to consider is the growth of the climbing rose, as some climbers can become lianas. In confined spaces or small gardens, opt for the most compact varieties, both in height and spread. Ideally, choose roses with a spread of no more than 1 m and a maximum height of 2.50 m, making them suitable for urban balconies with height restrictions or small terraces.

Perpetual-Flowering Climbing Roses

Also prefer perpetual-flowering roses (blooming from May to October), as in small spaces—less vegetated than a garden—you’ll want to enjoy their flowering for many months.

Exposure

A climbing rose in a pot is more vulnerable to intense heat. Its soil volume is limited, and the pot material itself can sometimes dry out the substrate. In short, partial shade, rather than scorching sun, is best for growing a climbing rose in a container.

Which climbing roses for planting in pots?

Many of you have asked us which climbing rose to choose for container growing. This selection takes into account the criteria mentioned above, namely a limited spread, perpetual flowering, and compact growth to suit confined spaces.
English roses are often recommended as they produce abundant shoots and stems from the base, offering lower flowering—always an advantage for container cultivation.

Here are six varieties that tick all these boxes:

The climbing rose ‘Blush Noisette’

This is arguably the most suitable climbing rose for container planting due to its modest size, perfect for lovers of pastel-toned roses.

The ‘Blush Noisette’ rose is an old variety, bred in 1814 by the Noisette brothers. It is a highly perpetual rose, ideal for small spaces thanks to its compact dimensions. It flowers multiple times in the season, from spring to autumn. Its double flowers are pale pink to creamy white and emit a delicate fragrance. In a pot, this rose reaches a height of 2 to 2.5 metres. It is particularly valued for its good disease resistance.

♥ Its special feature: it is highly perpetual, a marvel for small spaces.

The climbing rose ‘Mini Pierre de Ronsard’

The ‘Mini Pierre de Ronsard’ is a compact version of the famous ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ rose, bred in 1985 by the Meilland nursery. It is ideal for container growing due to its reduced size. This rose produces magnificent double flowers, creamy white with pale pink hues, and is lightly scented. Like the other roses in this selection, its flowering period extends from spring to the first frosts, reaching a height of 1 to 1.2 metres and a maximum width of 1 metre.

♥ Its special feature: unlike its larger counterpart, its flowers are particularly weather-resistant.

The climbing rose Long Island ‘Oralinco’

The Long Island ‘Oralinco’ rose is a modern climbing rose, bred by Orard in 2021. It is vigorous and hardy, perfect for large containers. It blooms profusely, almost continuously from June to October, producing clusters of three to five highly fragrant, bright pink double flowers with citrus notes, reaching 8 to 10 cm in diameter. Choose it for its old-fashioned charm, bringing a touch of vintage garden to a terrace.

This rose can climb up to 2.5 metres in a pot.

♥ Its special features: its intense fragrance, perpetual flowering, and vigorous foliage that shows excellent disease resistance.

The climbing rose ‘Sourire d’orchidée’

‘Sourire d’orchidée’ is a modern climbing rose, bred by Delbard in 1997. It is very elegant, prized for its pearly white to pale pink double flowers, emitting a light, delicate fragrance. It flowers in waves from spring to autumn and typically reaches 2 metres when grown in a pot. It also shows good resistance to diseases and cold.

♥ Its special feature: the freshness of its pale roses, with flowers that are highly weather-resistant (ideal for rainy regions).

The climbing rose ‘Cornelia’

‘Cornelia’ is an old climbing rose, bred in 1925 by the renowned Kordes nursery. It is vigorous and cherished for its small, very double flowers in pale pink to peach tones. They are highly fragrant, with a musky scent, and particularly abundant in autumn when their colour intensifies. It flowers in waves from June to October, with a brief pause in the height of summer. This rose climbs up to 1.5 metres in a pot—an ideal size for city balconies. Its flowers are weather-resistant, and its foliage is disease-resistant.

♥ Its special feature: a charming, nostalgic appeal, with a trailing habit perfect for a romantic balcony.

The climbing rose ‘Papi Delbard’

I must admit, I have a soft spot for this rose and its divine colour, blending pink, apricot, and a hint of yellow.

‘Papi Delbard’ is a modern climbing rose, bred by Delbard in 1976. Yet it is perfectly suited to container growing. It is vigorous, fast-growing, and remarkable for its double flowers in pale to bright pink, grouped in fragrant, fruity clusters. It flowers in successive waves from May to October and will grow up to 2 metres in a pot (slightly wider than the other roses in this selection). Its flowers are particularly weather-resistant, and it is disease-resistant.

♥ Its special features: unmatched floribundity, large flowers, and heat tolerance.

Of course, there are a few others, such as the ‘Strawberry Hill’ rose, a creation by the famous English breeder David Austin, with an exquisite lemony fragrance, or ‘Narrow Water’, which performs well in shadier spots and suits east-facing balconies, or even ‘Perennial Blue’, with delicate bluish tones and a white centre!

Left: ‘Perennial Blue’; right: ‘Strawberry Hill’ (top) and ‘Narrow Water’ (bottom – ©Wikimedia Commons-Willrooij)

Caring for Climbing Roses in Containers

To ensure abundant flowering and a beautiful appearance for climbing roses grown in pots, three essential aspects must be considered: fertilisation, watering, and training (staking).

Fertilisation

Use a potassium and phosphorus-rich fertiliser specially formulated for roses to encourage generous flowering. Apply the fertiliser in early spring and after the first flowering to support a second wave of flowers. Organic fertilisers, such as compost or well-rotted manure, are even more valuable if you have them available!

Watering

Like any pot-grown plant, climbing roses require regular watering to keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells. Water directly at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Ensure water drains freely through the drainage holes.

Training a climbing rose in a pot

A sturdy stake or an obelisk suited to the size of the pot will help support the rose’s vertical growth—install it at planting time. For small spaces, an obelisk 1.5 to 2 metres in height is often sufficient and very attractive. For larger pots, a fan-shaped or ladder trellis is necessary for more vigorous varieties. Ensure the structure is securely anchored to support the weight of the mature rose.