Great mountain climbers - climbing roses

Sunset, May, 1999 by John Starnes

Climbing roses add color and fragrance to arbors and fences. But the harsh climates of the West's mountain regions won't tolerate wimpy plants. Which climbers are tough enough to resist our freezing winters and dry summers? Rosarians and nursery growers helped us compile the list of winners (source information is abbreviated after each item; see key at end). Select and set out any of them this month. Plant deep in a large hole amended with plenty of compost or aged manure, and water deeply during summer. Keep plants mulched year-round.

'Dortmund' (HCR). Large, single, bright red blossoms with white eyes and bright yellow stamens; sharp fragrance; 8 to 10 feet.

'Eden Rose' (HOGR). Fully double blossoms are creamy white tinged with lavender pink; faint scent; 8 to 10 feet.

'Fourth of July' (ER). Red semidouble blossoms striped with white; apple-and-rose perfume; 6 to 8 feet.

'Henry Kelsey' (HCR). Clusters of bright red semidouble blossoms; 6 to 8 feet.

'Mme. Alfred Carriere' (HOGR). Old rose with hybrid-tea-style blooms of softest pink; heady scent of musk and citrus; 15 feet.

Mr. Nash (HCR). A "mystery rose" discovered in Denver in 1940, it bears masses of 4-inch apricot-buff blossoms; spicy fragrance; 10 to 15 feet.

'New Dawn' (HCR). Light pink blossoms; apple-and-rose perfume; 10 to 15 feet.

'Zephirine Drouhin' (HOGR). Bright cerise pink semidouble blooms; intense spicy scent; 6 to 10 feet.

Source key:

ER Edmunds' Roses (888/481-7673).

HCR High Country Roses (800/552-2082).

HOGR Heirloom Old Garden Roses (503/5381576; catalog $5).