I guess the biggest question, to anwswer your questions, is what happens to Crimson Sky in your winters? If it doesn't die back, then I'd say provide a trellis and you've got a new climber! If it does, then I'd trim it as a shrub every year.

But thank you for posting this; I've never heard of this rose yet and if it's growing that well in your Zone 4, I'm going to try it as a climber here in 5. I always need climbers!

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Musings Blog

Thanks, Prof. Yes, Crimson Sky does die back in my garden. How do you suggest I trim it as a shrub? And when?

I hope you do try it. The color is a standout, and I love the form. Here's another picture, taken a couple of years ago.

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Alisande,
Your Crimson Sky is very pretty. I will recommend it to my MIL. Red is her favorite color. I am not one to give advice as I am new but, I would wait 'til spring to prune. It seems the canes die from the tip inward. So, if you wait 'til spring, when you'll have to prune anyway, you'll probably have a larger bush. I think I would try to grow it as a small climber on an obelisk or trellis. I am definitely no expert so, take this with a grain of salt.
Best of luck,
Kitty

I have several climbers in my zone 5a rose garden. All are hardy to some extent and a few and have little if any dieback. Most though, dieback severely and require extensive pruning each spring. Only a couple die back father than two feet.
I seldom prune back in the fall. I tie longer canes to the trellis or together with string. I've placed a steel post behind them and held them to the post with a bungie cord for the winter until I see how they perform.
A thought regarding fall over spring pruning. You can always prune more but once it's cut, it's gone and can't be undone.
By allowing the canes to remain over winter, I let Nature show me where to prune. Fall pruning doesn't lessen dieback and possibly removes canes that may have survived. The only reason I'd prune in fall would be to lessen the chances of cane breakage under heavy snow or ice. This can be avoided by tying the canes together and supporting them as mentioned above.
Crimson Sky appears to be hardy having survived several winters in your zone 4b.
Because modern roses bloom best on new wood, I don't fret cutting back eack spring. Actually, on cane hardy roses, I'll severely prune after a couple of years just to get new wood on the lower portion of the bush. I've marked several for this task next spring.
A few of my climbers, such as Pele' and Aloha reach only five feet each year so I grow them as tall shrubs. Several more grow like weeds and throw really long canes. Dublin Bay, Autumn Sunset, Clair Matin, Berlin, and Fourth of July, to name a few that have to be reined in by late summer.
Mine are all own root and took 3 years or more to mature before realizing their full potential.
Your Crimson Sky looks like one I may buy.

I have a ten year old Don Juan that is up to the second story this year..have actually thought about anchoring his height with hooks in the eves. Seems my climbers, New Dawn and DJ, have had a HUGE growth spurt this year. Alchymist is so tall my lawn service asked me to cut it back so they can get through my gates, as it's growth hangs over the walk. I did very little to winter protect last year and did inefficient pruning in the spring. I usually cut down in the fall( later) and hard prune with the forsythia. MONSTERS, all!

I never heard of Crimson Sky before and thinking it was just another J&P rose of little merit was about to dismiss it. Then in looking further I saw it was a Meilland introduction. A rose house that has introduced not only Peace but many other great roses.

Currently I have only one Meilland, Andre le Notre, that is proving itself to be tough and hardy. Along with many of my favorite Kordes roses.

Anyway CS looks like a winner one that I'll have to try. Oh and also it is mentioned favorably in Peter Schneider's book, Right Rose Right Place

I never heard of Crimson Sky before and thinking it was just another J&P rose of little merit was about to dismiss it.

So.......you were thinking I buy J&P roses of little merit, eh? LOL

Well, this is not to say I haven't done just that. But I learned my lesson with Cherries 'n' Cream.