It can definitely be grown as a climber. I've yet to trellis mine (just plonked it around an obelisk), and it's sending out long shoots. I've found it to be very floriferous and super fragrant in an odd bubble gummy sort of way here in Cincinnati 6b. Quite healthy thus far. I think this is another one Cori Ann is also growing as a climber. If so, I'm sure she'll pitch in. I'm finding her colour variable sometimes exhibiting a more hot pink. Last year, as a pathetic plant from Lowe's, her flowers were tiny and barely recognizable as Tess. She's really coming into her own this year in both colour and form. I only wish I'd bought another.

Thanks, vaporvac. This rose will go next to Eden, so I think a more pinkish red will look nice. Glad to hear its healthy and has some long canes to work with.

Tess is a climber here and in really hot weather, its more of a hot pink than red. Don Juan always stays a beautiful dark red no matter what the temperature.

Yup. I agree with what has been said so far about color, fragrance and comparison against Don Juan. For me though, the canes are very pliable and it will produce a lot of laterals when trained sideways.

I have had to keep cutting it back because it crisps in the heat... so it don't think it will ever be a HUGE climber here, but I like it manageable anyways (I'm anticipating 6-8 ft?) and crisping like that probably won't be a problem for you right? It doesn't handle intense dry heat that great.

Thanks, Cori Ann. I wonder why your canes are pliable while Deborah's are not? I would like to be able to train it along a trellis so pliable canes are a must. Also, the spot where it will go gets dappled shade from 3 pm on, which it sounds like it will need if crisping is a problem.

Mine has pliable canes thus far. Perhaps that's because they're young canes. My New dawn have canes that are bendy when young , but stiffen with age. Tess may be the same. Mine is a younger, grafted plant, while
Deborah's is older. Just a guess.

I might just be training them when they're younger. If left to grow, I'm sure they get stiffer.

Ha! Just cross posted with you Vaporvac! Same idea. Great minds. ;-)

Yes, I agree the younger canes are more flexible. When I moved it two years ago the existing four canes were spread over a fence and laterals were tied in over that summer. This year I have let it do its thing. I don't mind, shall we say, an informal look. It does not crisp in my zone and I really have not noticed much variability in the color. Tess is a decent cut flower as well.

Thanks for all the info, everyone! Though I have to admit, I was poking around and found Cori Ann's old post about Souvenir du Dr Jamain, and now I am seriously considering that one instead of Tess. The tales of blackspot have always scared me off. But that color! This rose will go next to Eden, and I can just picture those wine-red blooms making a dramatic statement next to the soft pink/green of Eden. Anyone care to make a decision for me? Do I go with reliable Tess, or wildcard but stunning SdDJ?

I wouldn't go with SdDJ. I may just have a magical spot with the dry heat here... or it may just be doing well temporarily. Almost everyone, professionals included, have said SdDJ gets LOTS of diseases. Especially in wetter climates. I wouldn't chance it. There's probably others that you can grow there that I can't, that flourish in your climate and have that same dark color.

It will be a completely different look, but equally gorgeous. There are actually a few fabulous climbers in that colour when I researched what to plant with my New Dawn. I'll look on my old thread for other possibly healthier options in that colour. I went with a non-climber in the end (Munstead Wood), but bought Cl.Crimson Glory for an arbour I'm planning.

Thanks, vaporvac! I'd love to hear your suggestions. I just planted a 2nd Munstead Wood because I love the color so much. Also very interested in Baron Giraud de l'Ain, though that would go in a different spot since its not a climber. If there were a climber in that color family I would be sold.