Renae that should be a e at the end. Also Mel's Heritage. Maybe Peggy Martin or climbing China Doll or even climbing Pinkie. Hopefully someone from your area will pipe in. Take a look at Bay Area's posts I'll find a link somewhere. She grows a lot of climbers in your area.

I can't find the thread (and anyway the pictures are probably gone because Houzz seems to delete old pictures from the threads) but someone posted a picture of hybrid musk Felicia growing on a small arch, and it was really fabulous -- fluffy and pink and very cottagey. I can almost smell it, just thinking about it (Felicia has a great fragrance). I'm sure Cornelia would also be good, but the only Cornelia I've seen in person so far is a real whopper (like a 10-foot wide, 5 foot tall hedge) so I'm wondering what she might do in your zone if she can do that here in zone 8.

P.S. To add to what Vaporvac said, if you look at some Mel's Heritage threads you will probably see pictures of Jeri's Mel's Heritage on an arch. Looks spectacular.

I don't believe Houzz deletes those pictures. My experience it is the photo sharing sites hold the pics hostage if people don't pay up for once free hosting, or people move their pictures from the files they had them in when they originally posted them.

Mel's Heritage IS spectacular and I love it, BUT it is NOT thornless. It has sharp, hooked prickles and it WILL grab you. If you want thornless, the only suggestions made here that fit that requirement were Renae, Cl Pinkie, Peggy Martin and Cl China Doll. So, how important it the lack of prickles to you for that spot?

Thank you everyone for your input!!

Roseseek - I'm not sure about thorns - i want to stay away from the really visciously thorny roses, but a bit prickly is okay. I need to walk under this arch everyday, on the other hand I think it's big enough that i wont have to brush up against the roses.

There is plenty of space, in fact an old tree hangs close to the arch and it would be lovely for the rose to continue up into rambling branches - i'd rather have vigor and a quickly covered arch then a slow and mannerly growth i think ...

you guys are so helpful!

Look at 'Yellow Sweetheart, Climbing'. Ignore the description of "strong fragrance" as it's almost scentless, but it's about as smooth as they get and blooms repeatedly.

https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.23069

:-)

~Christopher

And, when you check out Cl Yellow Sweetheart, enjoy how this "extinct" rose was rediscovered. https://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/ezine.php?publicationID=587&js=0&tab=1

'Renae' or 'Climbing Yellow Sweetheart' should be at the top of your list: they meet all your requirements! But be aware that ALL plants of 'Climbing Yellow Sweetheart' have Mosaic Virus, since the original rediscovered specimen was virused. In this case, its only a minor cosmetic issue, since the plant has exceptional vigor and isn't bothered by the infection. But if you have a thing about roses with virus, then its something you should be aware of. And no, it does NOT spread to other roses by casual handling. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Paul is correct. The original source plant for that "extinct" rose was/is virused and to my knowledge no one has treated it to remove the infection. And, no matter who says what, EVERY plant known to exist came from Carol Aguilar's plant. Kippy's plant in Santa Barbara is spectacular! It LOVES Southern California, but it should. Mr. Moore allowed Marsh's Nursery in Pasadena to introduce it and his Dancing Doll. Marsh's Nursery was a short distance from the Aguilar's residence where Cl Yellow Sweetheart was collected. Marsh's Nursery should sound familiar as they also introduced Alfred Krebs' Red Sweetheart and Lady Ann Kidwell. Krebs also created White Wings, the wonderful white single HT.

Roseseek - such an interesting history, thank you. I actually grew up in Pasadena! never knew marsh’s nursery, but now I’m curious to know more :) my mom was born and raised in Pasadena as well, maybe I should talk to her more about rose History.

So Renae is my top contender now, but I still have such a soft spot for the ones I listed above in my original query - any reason not to go with rev d’ore, Clytemnestra, or Sally Holmes besides the thorns? I admit I like golds and peaches way more than pinks. Would any of these stay evergreen?

No reason not to choose 'Crepuscule' for your climate. It should be wonderful, and it has few thorns. It isn't likely going to repeat as generously as 'Renae', but its a lovely color and very well suited to a warm climate.

I love it when rose placement is so well planned. Please grace us with pics this year from your fence, Stephanie. What a lovely flower! OP, of your choices, I only grow Cornelia and SH. I adore both, but thus far SH blooms far more. It's not really too thorny and very lithe. I think you could even combine the two. My favourite in the yellowing colouration is Ghislaine de Feligonde, but I don't know her repeat possibilites yet as she's in way too much shade. at the moment. Zero thorns. Were it not for thorns and the fact I've only had it in the ground less than a year, I'd suggest a "modern" R. moschata hybrid Gold Blush. Such vigor and constant bloom once it's planted and happy. I'm unsure of it's final height in my zone.

P.S. While I'm at it suggesting roses for a completely different zone than mine, I might as well include the single Captain Thomas and Doubloons both of which might avoid BS in your area and are currently available from Freedom Gardens. :-))

Crepuscule is also much more likely to mildew than Renae, if mildew is an issue where you are.

Stephanie thank you sooooo much for the placement info on Rev - that is so good to know! I never considered roses that "look up" - mine would be on an arch so I wouldn't ever get a good view of Rev with that growth habit. SO he's off my list for now - phew.

Roseseek - mildew does come 'round my garden here and there so Renae seems like the winner over Crepuscule (also, is it just me, or does the name Crepuscule remind anyone else of some kind of ocean dwelling mollusk? Just such an inelegant sounding name compare to, say rev d'ore....LOL)

Vapor omg i love your additional suggestions - are you the little devil on my shoulder or the little angel, i can't tell! GAH! :)

Grace, Crepuscule is actually a very lovely name. Are you familiar with "crepuscular clouds"? A mature plant in full flower easily resembles the sun illuminating the edges of clouds. I've always imagined Crepuscule being perfect for slip covering a chain link fence. On the side facing the sun, it would usually be paved with those marvelous flowers.

Grace, the problem is that you have to imagine it said in a French accent -- then it is a lovely name. Dusk. The end of the day. Crepuscule.

The meaning of the word is indeed lovely! I just meant the phonetic sound in my mouth always feels clunky. Then again, I can't even actually pronounce any of the french named roses correctly ( "rev duh ore"? I'm hopeless)

Okay so my new short list is:

renae

cl pinkie

sally holmes

mel's heritage

doubloons

clytemnestra

I think I'd like to use 2 different roses on either side that meet in the middle, so now it's just making choices....hmmmm. Who to pair? I love daydreaming about the different combinations

So do you mean two types total, one of each on each side? That's a tough one. Can't you just have a double arch and then we won't have to make such hard decisions? FWIW, I've tried to alternate thorny with not-so-thorny, fragrant with less fragrant. I'll let others in your locale advise on choices, but you have some good ones.

P.S, Here's another one that I have as a cutting. I believe Jeri said it will grow large in CA. Climbing Jackie.

Grace, did you see this thread with pictures of Mel’s Heritage and Renae?
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5704003/best-climbing-rose-options-for-house

Thank you everyone so much - just a update that I finally made a choice! I'm going with Renae and sally holmes. I can't wait to see the two mingle! I just put my order in to rogue valley roses.

Weeeee!

Oh, they should look lovely together! :-)

Just a belated 'Welcome' to our Forum, too, from me. It's wonderful to have new members with an interest in older roses. Looking forward to seeing photos of your new' babies' whenever you feel like posting. :-)

ETA: Fingers crossed RVR will send you the right ones - they seem to have a bit of a habit of mislabelling... maybe check with us if you want to, if you're unsure?

You asked about Sally Holmes. It is a fine rose, but would be constant work to train the way you want. It is considered a climber and indeed can be trained that way, but its natural habit is to be a really, really big shrub.

Personally I'd go with Renae. Maybe two of Renae. My other choice would be Mel's Heritage.

Florence Bowers Pink Tea would also be great.