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Buy rambler roses online
once-flowering and repeat-flowering rambler roses growing up to 10 m tall
Rambler roses: all the information at a glance
Rambler roses (ramblers for short) are easy-care, free-flowering climbing roses that climb very fast and very high. With its long, soft shoots, the rambler rose is a true climbing artist. Because of their twining, scrambling growth, ramblers are often also called scrambling roses.
Ramblers flower very profusely in early summer, with small, single to loosely double flowers in clusters. A rambler can easily be guided into trees, over fences or walls. The flowering season of these mostly summer-flowering climbers is in June or July. Rambler roses bloom for up to 6 weeks, which is very long. In full bloom, a rambler rose is one of the most beautiful and impressive plants in the garden.
There are also repeat-flowering rambler roses. These flower several times a year, with pauses of varying length. Many remontant rambler roses bear medium-sized, more double flowers. Newer, almost continuously flowering varieties, on the other hand, produce clusters of countless flowers that are only slightly double or not double at all. They usually only reach heights of 4 - 5 m and are therefore only moderately suitable for trees.
- Origin: Ramblers descend from various vigorous wild roses and are classed as climbing roses.
- Flower forms: The flowers of rambler roses are mostly small to medium-sized, single or slightly double. The climbing artists form countless flowers, mostly in large clusters. The single varieties are considered insect-friendly.
- Flowering season: Ramblers are either summer-flowering or repeat-flowering. Depending on the variety, they flower early or somewhat later. Some ramblers have a very long flowering season.
- Fragrance: individual flowers are lightly fragrant, often of wild roses or apple. Taken together, these plants are often a bee pasture.
- Use in the garden: climbing artists, up to 10 m with flexible, twining shoots. Most ramblers also grow in a difficult or shady spot. As facade greening, for covering fences, trees or pergolas. Weaker-growing ones can also be planted at a rose obelisk, climbing pillar or rose arch.
- Growth habit and height: very fast, vigorous and tall-growing plants with soft, flexible shoots. These plants climb to a height of 300 cm to 10 m and more. Note: Newer varieties of patio roses that grow up to 200 cm are also marketed as ramblers by some rose breeders. These cannot be compared with a classic, vigorous and tall-growing rambler rose.
- Caring for ramblers and overwintering: in general, a rambler rose is a robust, hardy and easy-care plant.
Pruning ramblers: prune if needed; there is no fixed pruning time for rambler roses. More on rose care and how to prune your roses. - Planting time: as container roses all year round, bare-root roses from October to May
Rambling Roses: 166 varieties buy online
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Rambler roses: growth and characteristics of a rambler rose
The exuberant abundance of flowers of a rambler rose, sometimes at airy heights, appears in mostly small to medium-sized, single to semi-double flowers in clusters in early summer. At this time many ramblers are also a real bee pasture with a strong scent - even if a single flower gives off only a faint fragrance. This, together with their vigour and softer shoots, is the most striking difference between a climbing rose and a rambler.
A rambler rose grows several metres in its first year. Depending on the variety and botanical origin, the shoots of these plants are rather soft or, similar to climbing roses, somewhat harder and stiff. Some rambler varieties are almost thornless, others very heavily armed. Fully grown they reach a height of between 3 and 10 m. Among the most vigorously growing rambler varieties are Paul's Himalayan Musk and Kiftsgate.
The colour spectrum extends mainly from white through pink of varying intensity and violet, in part mauve / bluish (e.g. Veilchenblau). Yellow and red ramblers are somewhat rarer but can certainly be found (e.g. Chevy Chase).
Overall these climbing artists are very easy to care for. Pruning rambler roses is neither necessary nor possible without considerable effort.
Before you rashly buy a rambler rose: if it does not absolutely have to be one of the "roses that grow into trees", do also take a look at the modern climbing roses, old climbing roses or our summary of all climbing roses and climbing shrub roses. In many cases these reach a sufficient height and are easier to control than a rambler.
Rambler roses: repeat-flowering varieties
Repeat-flowering rambler roses mostly do not grow quite as vigorously and quickly as the once-flowering varieties. This makes them suitable for a smaller garden or a spot with limited space. To encourage repeat flowering, prune lightly after the main flowering. Like the summer-flowering ones, however, they too form handsome rose hips in autumn and thus food for birds. For this, the late flower clusters should no longer be cut off.
Rewarding varieties among the rambler roses that flower several times a year include:
A successful combination: the two repeat-flowering rambler roses Ghislaine de Féligonde (AGM, almost thornless) and Perennial Blue (ADR + AGM) grow together on the climbing obelisk "Obelisk I" in the park version R2-S.Image: Classic Garden Elements
Pruning rambler roses - how it is done
Once-flowering rambler roses are normally not cut back. They may, however, grow so vigorously that they very quickly take up too much space in the garden.
After the second year in place, a rambler rose can be cut back if necessary. The timing of the pruning does not matter. The autumn and winter months are a good choice, though, because the basic framework of the rambler is easy to see without foliage.
When pruning, first of all remove dried-out shoots. After that you can cut out anything that is in the way. A radical pruning is possible; the best time is shortly after flowering. In autumn or spring it affects the following flowering period of the rambler rose.
Repeat-flowering rambler roses are shaped in autumn. After the main flowering and after each repeat flush, spent clusters are cut out. This makes the rambler flower a second and third time quickly. Until August this is also the right time to feed the rambler rose again.
Please also note our general information here => Pruning roses
Rambler roses: frequently asked questions
What is a rambler rose?
A rambler rose is a very vigorous, fast-growing rose plant and needs a suitable spot in the garden. Rambler roses belong to the climbing roses; by comparison they have softer, more flexible shoots that are easy to guide, and they reach a greater height.
Most rambler roses flower once, very profusely. There are also repeat-flowering rambler roses, however.
The flowers are small and appear in large clusters. In full bloom these fascinating plants are a real bee pasture. Many rambler varieties bear beautiful rose hips in autumn.
What height do ramblers reach?
Depending on the variety, a rambler grows between 250 cm and more than 10 m tall.
Because of this wide range, it is important to study the descriptions and pictures closely in order to choose the right rambler rose variety for your own project.
Which are the biggest rambler roses?
The fastest and tallest growing rambler roses are:
Are ramblers hardy?
Most rambler varieties in our range are very frost-hardy and need no winter protection. We point out exceptions in the variety description.
Does a rambler rose harm a tree?
Whether fast-growing ramblers planted in a tree harm it depends essentially on whether a variety with suitable vigour was chosen for the tree and how healthy and stable the tree is.
Above all, the tree should be able to bear the weight of the rambler rose. After heavy rain, especially in full bloom, the rambler weighs considerably more, and in winter snow that stays on it adds to the weight the tree has to support.
You can let a rambler grow into a fruit tree that is still bearing and is to be harvested further, but this will not go well for long. Whether it makes sense to plant a rambler against a tree should be weighed up carefully in each individual case. For less vigorous varieties in particular, there are also less problematic uses in the garden.
How and when should rambler roses be pruned?
Pruning rambler roses: The right time to prune a rambler rose is after flowering. If the rambler grows too vigorously, however, it can be cut back at any time.
When pruning, all dry or awkwardly growing shoots are removed. If you prune after flowering, spent side shoots are cut out close to the main shoot. If the rambler is already somewhat older, some of the shoots can also be cut back completely for rejuvenation.
Are repeat-flowering rambler roses hardy?
Repeat-flowering rambler roses, too, are as a rule hardy and robust climbing plants. Sensitive varieties that are not completely frost-hardy are pointed out in the descriptions.
When do you plant a rambler rose?
Depending on whether you buy your rambler rose bare-root or container-grown, the right planting time differs.
Bare-root rambler roses are delivered from October to May and can then be planted immediately. A container-grown rambler can be planted in the ground all year round straight after purchase.
In general the planting time for a rambler rose does not differ from that of other roses; you can find out more => here.
Rambler Rosen: Die verschiedenen Unterarten
Arvensis Rambler
Rosa arvensis, also called the "field rose", grows widely wild in the countryside. Rambler roses that descend directly from it have inherited its vitality. They are considered extremely robust and undemanding.
Boursault Rambler
Not a very large group, but an interesting one. Thornless, arching growth with unusual foliage ranging from pale green to shades resembling a plum. The flowers vary from pink to red and are subtly fragrant. In autumn, the unusual foliage of these special rambler roses is a pleasant sight.
Bracteatas
Not the hardiest among the ramblers, but each one quite charming in its own right. All Bracteatas share the same, almost vicious, hooked thorns. Often also called "barbed-wire roses" and ideal for persuading the neighbour's pet to stop using a particular path.- Examples:
- Mermaid
- Happenstance
- Rosa bracteatea
Brunoniis
Rambler roses of the Brunonii group have fine, light grey-greenish foliage that looks somewhat unusual. They bloom in clusters in July.- Examples:
- La Mortola
- Rosa brunonii
Filipes
A group of very vigorous rambler roses with strong shoots. They feel most at home when left to their own devices in natural situations, for example in the branches of a tree. In small gardens their vigorous growth can quickly become a problem.Foetida Hybrids
An interesting group because they brought the colour yellow into many modern roses. Vigorous shrubs and moderate climbing roses that are very resilient.- Examples:
- Lawrence Johnston
- Le Rêve
Giganteas
Not the hardiest among the rambler roses. Interesting because they carry on the old tea-scented roses from China.- Examples:
- Belle Portugaise
- La Folette
- Sénateur Amic
Glauca Hybrids
All descendants of Rosa glauca are very easy to tell apart from roses of other origin thanks to their rich, purplish-greyish foliage. In autumn these ramblers bear large rose hips.- Examples:
- Sir Cedric Morris
Laevigatas
Most roses in this group prefer sheltered sites. Laevigata ramblers bear single flowers, are of normal vigour and have healthy foliage.Macrophylla Hybrids
Roses from this group are often chosen more for their decorative rose hips in autumn than for their flowers. These vigorous varieties originate in the Himalayas.- Examples:
- Auguste Roussel
Moschatas
These sometimes very vigorously growing musk roses are quite closely related to many other rose species. Their flowering brings huge clusters of blooms above healthy, dark green foliage.
Multifloras
As the name suggests, Multiflora hybrids can produce a large number of flowers at the same time. Because they were often used as grafting rootstock, they are found in many older gardens. They are a parent of many roses.Sempervirens Rambler
This useful group of ramblers keeps its leaves in milder winters, which is why they are often also called 'Evergreen Ramblers'. They are healthy and vigorous, and the semi-double flowers appear in clusters.
Setigera Hybrids
A useful group of medium-sized climbers. Usually lush with healthy foliage, often repeat-flowering.- Examples:
- Long John Silver
- Baltimore Belle
Sinowilsoniis
Vigorous roses with excellent foliage, which often set impressive clusters full of rose hips in autumn.- Examples:
- Wedding Day
- Rosa sinowilsonii
Soulieana Hybrids
A small group of densely growing, mostly rather thorny, summer-flowering ramblers. Mostly with light green, greyish foliage.- Examples:
- Chevy Chase
- Kew Rambler
- Wickwar
Wichurana Rambler
These rambler roses owe their vigour and the flexibility of their shoots to their descent from Rosa wichuriana. If you let them 'ramble', they can cover large areas, whether on the ground, on a tree or even on a building. The flowers, which appear in large clusters in early summer, are fragrant, and in autumn some have decorative rose hips. The foliage is a rich green. The well-known climbing rose 'New Dawn' also belongs to this group.
