I just bought Penelope yesterday and your photo sure doesn't make me regret my purchase! What is her scent like?

'Penelope' has always been shrubby for me, while the Pemberton HMs 'Moonlight' and 'Cornelia' have more flexible canes and make fine pocket climbers. But I've never tried to make 'Penelope' climb, either. She is a lovely, lovely rose (and very easy to root!).
Melissa

Ronda, I don't think that Penelope is the best candidate for tree climbing. She is a spreader.

I think there are roses that are more vertical and will shoot up towards the light. Take a look at some of the pictures from the Old Sacramento Cemetary, there are a number of roses that are just beautiful and complimentary on a tree. I think they have a banksia that is just stunning.

Carol

Carol,

This is a small tree--I think a banksia would bury it. lol

I just wondered now that she has tangled herself on the branches of this maple...if it would be possible for her to continue up. It certainly wouldnt hurt my feelings!!

The question becomes how big will the maple get?

Japanese maples are smaller trees and the white flowers will look beautiful against the leaves. The worst that could happen is that Penelope would get to much shade, but in your climate, it will probably like the protection.

Carol

Carol--

I selected a smaller maple for that area since it is up on a hill already. The maple is only supposed to get 18-25 feet tall. Its considered a smaller maple since some can get huge. I would love it if Penelope could stay with the tree...I just never had a rose in a tree before so I was wondering if maybe the more lax roses like Penelope would let a cane die off if it were going too vertical.

I specifically planted the Penelope near this maple since she can take some shade, and as you said, would likely appreciate a bit of shade. Right now the tree is small so she is in full, all day sun.

Ronda

Not long asfter I had made the acquaintance of Penelope I recognized her growing up, across and down a full sized arbor. I have had more respect for her since then. I think she could take on a small tree with the bit in her teeth.
la

Oh thanks Luanne!! This is just what I wanted to hear!!!

Penelope can definitely take to trees! Mine is about three years old and is climbing my burford holly which is about 9' tall. What's nice is she spread out in the front of the holly first before she decided to climb. Combined with lady banks and veilenchblau going up a now dead sweet bay magnolia, the whole area is in bloom.

I just bought Penelope yesterday with the idea of letting her climb or sprawl on a fence. If I trained the canes that way, would this work? Love this rose - it is January and she has blooms!
Judith

After reading this, I decided I REALLY need to move my 2 Penelopes. They only have about 5 feet for their spread and, obviously, that is not enough. I have a couple of eastern cedar trees that I can plant them next to. The growth on these roses is very horizontal and I have had a difficult time keeping them within their space.
Molly

I suppose you could train Penelope to be a short climber. I have had 5 in a hedge for about 6 years and its natural habit is widely arching. I believe the hedge has become about 5 feet tall, and the widely arching canes are somewhere around 8', give or take, probably less.

Here's an image I took in July. The one to the far left, at the end, gets part sun and was planted at the same time as the ones to the far right, which get more sun. Behind the image is a large rhododendrun, and in the center is a wheeping cherry tree, a young one. There's a knock out in there too and a hydrangea. The bulk of Penelope is on the right, where there are about 3 or 4 together. It's a little bit of a mishmosh, this island. I hate to say it, but I find the rebloom to be among the worst of my roses. That said, it gives a great big show in the spring and the blooms are very charming. I have many more shots at different angles and I can get more if you want.

Here is a link that might be useful: Penelope in July

This is strange. Can there be a shrub Penelope as well as a climber? I have several that I grew from cuttings from one I bought. They are all reliable repeaters but the mother bush is 8 or so years old and is still less than 5 feet tall without any pruning except for cutting out dead wood. I have given most of the babies away but the ones that I have planted in my garden act exactly the same way as the mother plant. I do have to admit tho that for the last few years we have had horrible summers. Very hot and dry.
Patsy

I had wanted to add more images, but I was away when I wrote my previous post. I spent some time putting together some of my images from this year's flush in June.

You can see a very tall cane, which is resting against the small tree. That shows the height of the cane, and I thought I'd point it out.

There is one plant on the far end of the island (you see both sides of the entire island in the images) and that single plant has less sun, as I mentioned before and you can really see a difference, as they were all planted the same time.

Here is a link that might be useful: The first of FIVE images

Susan, that is beautiful. I have three, and have measured them at about 10 feet square - each, and about 5 feet high. Mine have huge branches, and hold themselves up at that height, then spread and spread.

I don't know about going up in a tree, but do agree that the plant wants to arch. I have no branches that want to go straight, and I don't know how well you could train them to do that.

Sammy

Susan, as always, that is a lovely part of a wonderful garden you have grown. Penelope is a sort of big girl for me and does throw some long canes. If she is stretched out, she is long enough to climb a short tree. Felicia, on the other hand, is a stubby shrub for me, but I have seen Jon's of Wessex and no, his is not same as mine or even similar.