Those climbing roses whose names start with 'Climbing' or 'Cl' are sports (genetic mutations of the bush varieties of the same name). They generally have a heavy spring bloom followed by scattered blooms throughout the season. The individual blooms on climbing roses can be of a finer quality and larger than those of the bush form. Climbing roses whose names are not prefaced with ‘Climbing’ or 'Cl' are bred by crossing two roses. They generally have a heavy spring crop followed by a better repeat bloom and usually a good fall crop of blooms with a few exceptions. A few seedling Climbing roses bloom only once and are so noted here.
Climbing roses are a diverse group with many different heritages, which makes this a wonderfully useful collection of roses. More climbing roses should be grown as they provide wonderful color in the garden without taking up much ground. Large flowered climbing roses differ from Ramblers in that they have fewer, yet larger blooms (4-6 inches in size) and are not quite as vigorous growers. Being so diverse, they vary in winter hardiness. Generally climbing roses are hardy zones 5 or 6 through 10 except as noted, some with more hardiness as noted.
