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.
Today I’m going to talk about my favorite climbing roses that do well in shade, along with some care tips. If you choose the right roses, you can enjoy beautiful blooms even in shady spots.
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
It is one of the climbing roses that grows the fastest and has lots of light pink flowers 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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Give the flexible canes a strong place to climb, like a trellis, wires, or a wall.
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 beautiful apricot-orange flowers that are neatly arranged in rosettes. The flowers have a strong, fruity scent. A well-rounded, slightly arching growth and a repeat flowerer too. Ideal for a shady spot.
- It was once voted the world’s favorite rose, and it has won the RHS award for garden merit. It has cup-shaped flowers that are an unusually rich shade of yellow. The flowers smell like fresh, lovely tea.
- Rose “Mortimer Sackler” is a beautiful flower with big sprays of soft pink flowers that are loosely double. It smells like a lovely old rose with sweet fruit notes. An exceptionally healthy and repeat flowering rose. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- Rose “The Generous Gardener” is a beautiful climbing rose with big, cup-shaped flowers that look delicate and are the palest pink color. Strong and delicious fragrance. Extremely healthy. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- Rose “The Pilgrim” has big, perfectly round, soft yellow rosettes that grow all the time. The flowers smell great, with a mix 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?
As long as they get at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun every day, they will bloom more and grow denser and fuller.
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.