I am looking for two climbing roses...one for over an arbor in the entry to my yard and one is for a pergola in my yard. I am in z6 (MA) and I am looking for as disease resistant a rose as I can get cuz I won't be spraying them. I really love Eden, but I was told she isn't a repeat bloomer and can be susceptible to rust (or some other nasty). Stinks cuz I love that kind of rose. I was also looking a Zephrine Dourhin cuz she is supposed to be thornless, but I think she may get too big. I like Jasmina & Renae also. I just would like a rose that can grow well w/o spraying and that flowers a lot without having crazy thorns or trying to eat my arbor. Should I rub a lamp? Lol. Also, I have seen roses sold online that say they are "banded". I am a newbie & have no idea what that means. Anyone have an idea? Ty in advance

We, here in Ontario, are forever reminded of how B.C. has no snow....you don't have to shovel rain. But, while snow is not thought of as something to admire---many people do wait for it and cant wait to get to the slopes...B.C. knows all about that what with Whistler raking in all the tourist dollars. Roses anywhere, everywhere, have common problems, from disease to winds, especially winter winds, that can dry out a plant in no time. So do put up a barrier to how winds might confront your rose bush. So too can winds dry out the soil--so make sure the plant goes into winter with lots of water--but not too much, roses don't like wet feet. Mound the plants up at least 12" with what you feel proper....soil, leaves, boughs...and don't remove the protection until all chance of frost has passed in the spring. Don't get antsy about a spell of warm weather in March which turns nasty again and have your plants succumb to the weather. Make sure the canes are tied together securely and to the trellis, post or fence you have them on. In the spring, separate the canes by how your hand and fingers are splayed out. That is how you want to have the canes grow and gives the best chance of sunlight to all parts of the plant. Don't do major pruning at this time --remove what is weak or damaged but otherwise, leave pruning for the spring. Open wounds on ends of canes can invite disease and freezes.

Hi Flowernay! I just discovered this forum--usually go to ponds as have a pond but did a search on cold climate gardening and low and behold! I grow William Baffin, John Cabot and John Davis--favorite is the last as blooms all season. Have had it planted for 5 years and is only 6 feet tall--the other two are only 2 years old so havn't reached their growth yet. If your friend wants a really tall climber my Polestar, sometimes called Polar Star is over 9 feet tall. It was taller (almost 15 feet spread along the fence) but I moved it last spring and it didn't like the move much. Had to cut down the canes to 6 feet to move it. They grow on old wood so you are not supposed to cut the canes--just prune out side canes. The flowere is very interesting white with a green bud in the center--only blooms in early spring, but I like the foilage as is a good cover for an ugly wall. The only problem is is that the thorns are about 3/4" long which is why I moved mine from beside the sidewalk to an area where I won't get bitten when I pass by. Sorry for the late post--I guess this may be e-mailed to you. Happy rose gardening! Jalal

You can try to root it, but the bud will not survive.