Here in the low desert we have at least two different types of cane borers. One is a little bee that drill the perfect holes in the cut ends of the canes. I still swear that any cheap nail polish used as a pruning sealant can keep them out of the roses. The other type of cane borer is a flat-headed side borer. It's an ugly little creep that can kill a cane all the way down to the graft within very little time. The leaves are still hanging on the cane and the borer is all curled up at the bottom sucking the life out of the graft, I guess. Nasty, nasty things. We find them in the public garden, too and cut the whole cane off to the graft. I don't know any way to keep them out. I suppose a systemic might make the cane toxic to them. I don't use chemical controls at home or in the public garden.

I'm a bit late to Darren's party here but just to say that your arch at 2 foot wide is very narrow. Is there a path to walk under? it will be quite a squeeze if so, or perhaps there is no path? Either way, that width won't make it a very sturdy arch, generally you would want one about 4 foot width and cemented in, bearing in mind our windy climate, especially where you are with, what regular 60 mph gusts in the N.W.? I'm in East Anglia and it gets bad enough here. With that in mind, I would have gone for a smaller climbing rose, and thornfree if you intend to walk near it. 'Zephirine Drouhin' is much recommended but it does black spot and mildew in damp climates and grows quite large, I would suggest it needs a bigger sturdier arch if it's not to pull it down in a gale. You might not like my choice here of 'Wild Rover', as it wouldn't be as sumptuous as some of the older fashioned roses and Austin's, but it's virtually thornless and has a strong scent of spicy cloves, it even wafts a bit, and the foliage is large and glossy. It's a climbing Floribunda and blooms all season. It suits my makeshift wooden arch and is just the right size. If I were you I would plant one rose one side of the arch and a clematis of your choice on the other, I feel 2 roses would be overpowering. I like a clematis called 'The Vagabond' it's dark blue but quite striking, but so many to choose from as you know. A pruning group 2 type clematis only. 1 and 3's would not be suitable. 'Wild Rover' in June... it's normally purple but turns reddish in warmer weather. ..in my [crowded] landscape... I also have a narrow path but the arch is wide enough. Hope it gives you some ideas, if not for now, then later on. Best of luck with your choices...

Some bouquets of fragrant roses bought from Roses Unlimited. My all-time favorites from RU are: Sonia Rykiel (a dozen blooms per flush in 1st year as own-root), Versigny (the scent is worth buying), Poseidon (going to frost with 30+ buds), Summer Sun (compact & small for a Kordes rose), Savannah (non-stop blooming), Pink Peace (great for the vase), Sweet Mademoiselle and Firefighter (both last 5 days in the vase), Betty White, Twilight Zone, About Face, Liv Tyler, and many Austins that RU sold before 2021. Below upper pink is Sonia Rykiel, dark red is the Dark Lady (from RU): Below dark red is Munstead Wood, and and orange About Face, red is Firefighter. Below orange is America, light pinks are Gene Boerner (thornless), and blue is Poseidon. Big red is Peter Mayle (survives 5+ years in my zone 5a winter): Below yellows are Moonlight Romantica (smells just as good as Golden Cel). Upper light pinks are Princess Charlene de Monaco (now 10' x 3') needs space. Blue is Poseidon lasts 5 days. Below deep oranges are Sweet Mademoiselle, light left pink is Savannah, and reds are the Dark Lady (going into Nov. frost with many buds): Below bouquet is picked Oct. 29, 2023 before frost. Red is Veteran's Honor. Pink is Radio Times, white is Bolero, dark pink is Dee-lish, and dark red is the Dark Lady. All are from Roses Unlimited. Below large dark pink is Peter Mayle (eucalytus rose scent, so unique), light pinks are Evelyn, deep pink is Comte de Chambord, gaudy orange is Solitude (worth having for hot summer). Liv Tyler (right deep pink) never ball like Sweet Mademoiselle, Liv Tyler gives twice more blooms than Sweet M. Left dark pink is Pink Peace (worth buying with its buttercream frosting scent). Right light pink is Frederic Mistral (petals get spoiled often in rainy climate, worse than Betty White) Below was Liv Tyler in my garden at above 90 F, it's best for hot climate.

Definitely Belinda's blush if you like Belinda's dream. Beverly is new to my garden this year and it is wonderful, lots of blooms, healthy no spray in high black-spot pressure and fragrant. I want to also second Lilifynch's suggestion of Flamenco rosita she is wonderful. They have a huge specimen at the Biltmore.