Question
Hi and thank you very much in advance!  I would like a vigorous and hearty climbing rose to use along a wooden wall that shields a pool area.  We live in upstate NY about 100 miles North of NY City.  The area gets plenty of summer sun.  I would like a white or pink variety that is hearty and will offer a long period of bloom.  Fragrance would be a plus but not a necessity.  Any particular rose that you might recommend?  What protection will it need during the winter? Thanks for your help, John

Answer
It is always a wisdom to chose a rose that will do okay in a zone that is colder than yours. This way you know that it is not borderline hardy and if you get a very nasty winter, you won't lose it. Most climbers have a tendency to grow slowly for the first couple of years and then when the roots get established, throw up tall canes from the base. The following climbers are hardy and should do well in your area and are fragrant. Pink Cloud, New Dawn, Viking Queen and White New Dawn. There are a few things you can do to get a climber throughthe winter. One is to take compost or any kind of mulch you can get in your area, and make a thick 12 inch blanket all around the base of the rose. Also don't fertilize the climber after the end of July so that it has time to harden off the canes. Make sure you tie in the canes so they won't wave about in the winter winds and snap off. Hope this helps. Lynnette