I don't know. Someone I know has one here in Seattle, and it only blooms once per year for her -- but she keeps it in a less-than-wonderful situation. It has a great reputation amongst the Californians on this forum -- maybe yours wants even more sun? Just a thought. If I were you I'd definitely put something else in that spot if it isn't working there. But you might move it and try it elsewhere?

Mine is still only a year or two in the ground, but FWIW it's reached the top of the 6' fence already. It is growing in quite a bit of shade in the narrow area between house and fence AND under a tree. So maybe it needs MORE shade that what you have, in order to encourage it to climb?

I agree the scent is not very strong for me. Also, it hasn't been the strongest bloomer, but that's to be expected since it is (a) young and (b) still not tall enough to really benefit from the afternoon sun that it will eventually get.

Thanks for the info and the amazing photos!!

Beautiful Jackie! Is there a pale yellow rose to left in your first photo? I wish mine had a little bit of that exuberance. Yes, perhaps the humidity affects its ability to open all its buds, but it doesn’t result in any foliar problems. If I can get my hands on Lunar Mist, I think I’ll be shovel pruning.

Yes, the pale yellow/buff on the left is Reve d"Or (and the red one is Blaze). Reve d"Or is one of my most favorite roses. It grows very well in partial shade, and blooms forever.

Jackie

Northland Rosarium had 'Lunar Mist' last year! I know I emailed them asking about it the year before, and I'm pretty sure some other posters here did too. You might have to contact them, and they come as bands, but that's one place that still has it!

I've had good luck with 'Sombreuil' myself. I chose it as I wanted a white climber that could take some shade. I would say it gets about 7 hours of sun in the summertime. For me, it has been an almost continual bloomer and very disease resistant. I was worried the flowers would ball in our damp spring weather, but they don't. It's also very fragrant.

I've had it for two full seasons and it has covered an 8 foot tall arch (there's one planted on each side). I've been very happy with it!

I got 'Lunar Mist' last year from Northland. I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom this summer. I have 'Colette' and it is a very charming rose, although for me it hasn't been very vigorous. It's stayed rather short and shrubby...but the flowers are very pretty!

Sombreuil:

Here it is at the end of last summer (end of its second season). My wonderful garden helper Alfonso keeps it excellently tied and trained...he's very good with roses!

Whoahh... what gorgeous pics Jackie and Rosylady!

(Any chance you could post us all cuttings of Alphonso... sounds like a treasure we all need in our gardens!)

I also thought I'd heard of Sombreuil not doing so well in generally damper - and maybe seasonally cooler(?) - climates.

There again a change of garden location could do the trick, or it could just be a dud plant... :-(

Rosylady this is a great example of how a rose can be grown well or poorly and respond differently in the same climate! My friend's rose is not grown in enough sun. It is still fragrant, but only blooms once per year -- and yours is a fabulous example. Very inspiring to see!

Jackie and Roselady, your Sombrueils are inspirational! Mine is about 2 years old, growing moderately, after being moved last year.

When I moved her, I was surprised at how small her rootball was. I think she’s a heavy feeder and with minimal roots right now, and needs help until the root mass can collect nutrients on its own. I then noticed a burst of bloom each time she got a shovelful of compost. I’m feeding and watering her more this year, and have seen more bloom already.

Not sure about yours, Chris, but maybe give her more water and food this year? When she blooms, I think it’s one of my favorite fragrances, so I vote for giving her another shot at staying! :-)

Thank you all for your kind words about my 'Sombreuil'...and also Alfonso! You should see what he's done with my 'Florence Bowers Pink Tea'! He never worked with roses in his life until he came to work for me, and he has a natural talent for pruning and training. Also, he's a wonderful happy person who always has a smile and laughs all day long while working in the garden. It's a real pleasure to work with him.

I agree with you Perma, I think Sombreuil benefits from regular watering. I am pretty sure Jackie has an irrigation system, as do I. I also feed this rose 3 times a year with RoseTone and once a year with horse manure. Finally, because it's relatively small I'm able to keep it deadheaded, which I think helps it to bloom a lot.

Mine is over 20 years old, and of course it gets irrigation during our normal 6-7 month dry season. Dead head? No, but when it puts out new long canes which need to be tied up, my DH gets out his 35 foot ladder and does that. As you can see from the far away pic, it is to the top of our 3 story house, and it would have grown taller if there was anything to grow on!

Jackie

All your lovely photos have reminded me why I wanted this rose in the first place (well, maybe not to consume the house but at least to smother that pergola), and why I've been so disappointed with it. I think I will try another rose here and maybe see if I can find a new home for Sombreuil. This rose is actually on our drip system, so it should be getting enough water, but I will investigate.

-Chris

Yes, I wonder if the drippers could be blocked there or the moisture not getting deep enough down?

Jackie and Roselady, beautiful roses.

Jackie, I‘m thinking of planning a climber against a wall of my house. What do I need to do so it won’t affect the house’s foundation? How about termite? Helen

bayarea_girl_z9ca - I don't think rose roots are able to hurt the foundation of your house - they are not like tree roots, which can do that. We have climbing roses all over our house, and my DH is a contractor, and always checking for termites, and he has never found any in 31 years. However, I hate to say it, but you might check with your local fire department about any new laws or regulations they have about foliage climbing up your house before you plant a rose there. With all of the fires in Northern Calif, most cities and counties are passing new rules about gardens. I am just waiting for the City I live in to finish their new law, so I can see what it actually says, instead of just reading the press reports.

Jackie

Thank you Jackie. Helen