I have Benjamin Britten, but even though left to itself to get 10-12 ft tall, I would call it a stretch to consider it a climber. It can be a tall shrub. For covering a 10 ft pergola, it would probably be too short if you are in the cool, coastal PNW. It blooms quite reliably all summer here even though the flowers are on the small side and fade rather badly from a bright vermilion to a watermelon pink. You might have a look at Polka, Night Light, Cl Sombreuil, Soaring Spirits, Fourth of July, Altissimo, Sally Holmes, or Westerland as alternatives. The spring rose shows are coming up in a few months. Perhaps you could visit one or more to have a look at some of the climber entries to see if any of them catch your eye.

One of the things you need to do with clem-rose pairings is match the sizes so one doesn't overwhelm the other. Gertrude Jekyll comes both as a climber (8') and as a shrub 4'x3 1/2' (both sizes taken from the David Austin website - they may be a bit smaller in NH if they get killed back to the ground in winter.) Can you check with your friend to see which one s/he has? and also when bloom time is so we know if the colors need to coordinate? Betty Corning is a really large clematis that would be better with a large shrub of some type. I don't think I'd pair her with a rose unless it was a really large, vigorous one and I don't think any of the David Austins will be vigorous enough in NH.

Beautiful! And the fragrance is indeed wonderful, one of the very best. I grew GJ at my last residence along with her parent, Comte de Chambord. I still grow CdC for his very similar gorgeous blooms and delicious scent. I'm so glad GJ is thriving in your zone and that she has become a shared family rose! Carol

Well, I'm in Seattle, so my experience probably won't be very informative for your situation. For what it is worth, I have found Gertrude Jekyll to do quite well here against a south-facing fence -- full sun for most of the day, with shade in the late evening (due to the shadow cast by a massive Graham Thomas). I've read that she has an annoying growth habit for some people (lanky, angular) but mine (obviously with pruning) has maintained a good, bushy habit and is quite an attractive plant. I've wondered if the large amount of sun she gets is part of the reason for this, or if it is because she is grafted. I do a bit of self-pegging with her longer canes too, to keep her from reaching out and grabbing someone on the sidewalk. I've been meaning to move her, wanting to stick someone else in her place (a tea or a noisette, probably) but looking at this pictures, I feel kind of guilty for wanting to evict her. She is doing so well... She is one of my favorite roses to cut for a vase, as her fragrance is heavenly.