Question
I live near Jersey Village and have a pergola-type arbor - 10 ft x 16 ft. - with sturdy trellis at each corner. I want to plant two climbing roses, one on each of the two west sides. As they scamper over the roof, they will encounter some shade. I've been thinking of Climbing Souvenir de Malmaison, climbing Old Blush or New Dawn. Which would you recommend - or is something else better? I want something pink that will be a blooming machine. Fragrance is a bonus. Also, it would be nice if I could plant a companion vine on the other corners. Any thoughts? Thanks for your advice!  

Answer
Hi Teri-

The roses you mentioned all all good roses.  I have Souvenir de la Malmaison - it seems to bloom a lot only in the spring.  Old Blush is pretty but to me - not really good in form for cut roses.  New Dawn - is very pretty and from what I've heard has good repeat bloom.  I have First Prize climbing, but the problem with climbing hybrid teas they usually don't repeat much after the spring. There is a sport of New Dawn that is pinker called "Awakening".  Another beautiful climber you could consider is Devoniensis (pink in bud, white when fully open). I have Madame Alfred Carriere and it is a monster - very large and usually has at least some blooms all year round, but it is white. For pink climbers - I would pick Elie Beauvillain (a noisette/tea) or Parade (hybridized by Gene Boerner - the master hybridizer).  They are both repeat blooming. Both these roses get up to at least 15 ft.  You could purchase any of the roses I recommended on the Antique Rose Emporium website, or you can do a search or check on the Help me Find Roses website for other web sources of these roses.  But if I was you - I would get Elie Beauvillain.  Teas and Noisettes do very well in our area, and it is a cross of both.

Good Luck-

Carlene