This is a very very large climbing rose in warm climates. It may be possible to keep it as a shrub, but I think it would require constant pruning, and might not like it. Also, you might not like having to do that, given its amazingly grabby strong prickles and its very stiff canes.

In this pic you can see climbing 3 stories up our house after eating its arch my DH built for it.

Good Luck!

Jackie

I have done so.

In my mild climate, it became a HUGE fountaining shrub, easily 12 ft. across, and a good 8 ft. high. Remember that it is liberally endowed with rather vicious prickles, so such a shrub should be sited where visitors can avoid being too close to it. Particularly ladies in billowing skirts.

As it starts to mature it will produce 2-4 meter canes, and those canes will have secondary canes coming off of them that can get 1-3 meters.

looks great, jackie!

After a hard pruning:
{{gwi:302285}}

three months later
{{gwi:302286}}

Not only does it put out long canes, and secondary canes, but it can be stiff and yes, has very sharp and numerous prickles. I have mine against a fence and have to keep trimming it back. I can't imagine keeping it in a pot or free standing without a 10 ft wide spot to let it go. I think it could be dangerous :)

In fact, Buford, that's why we removed it. It "bit" once too often.

tuderte, the background scenery in your photo looks spectacular. It would be great to see more of your roses and your property in the future.

hoovb, what a superb pruning job on your Sombreuil. It looks like a painstaking and arduous (and prickly) task.

Ingrid

I should not have read this thread last night before falling asleep. I planted my baby where you don't really have to get super close but it already seems too close. This is what happens when you add to your walk way after planting. I had seen the ones at Descanso that are on a tall gazebo but stay fairly mannerly. My plan in to make rebar arches so it can climb a couple of them and leap over the seat that is now way to close.

But I am still scared.

Thank you everyone â¦. obviously I'm going to need to re-think my strategy - I do have plenty of room but I'm already doing battle with St. Swithun (which has reached 4 metres in two years) and MAC (whoever said she doesn't have prickles hasn't met mine). St. Swithun's prickles are the most vicious I've ever encountered - I think they're worse than Mermaid. What is it in its pedigree that gave it those prickles?

Back to the drawing board â¦.

Thank you Ingrid for the comment regarding the background - we do have a wonderful view towards Todi and its very beautiful 'Tempio della Consolazione'. My garden is still very much in its infancy - but I'm working on having something worthwhile - eventually â¦.

Cheers
Tricia

I think Kippy's strategy is good.

Kippy, WE have it over arbors, with no problems. HAVE had, for years. It's never been a problem.

It is as a free-growing shrub that I think it could be overwhelming and rather dangerous. I got too close to this 'Alba Odorata' in an old cemetery, while wearing a skirt. It took two people to disentangle me.