Gardening Guides
Great Design Plant: Sally Holmes Rose
This simple yet versatile climbing rose grows vigorously all year; plant now for abundant spring and summer blooms
In the plant world, little can rival the beauty and legacy of a rose. It’s a classic choice for any garden, and I find myself transfixed by their perfection yet intimidated by all that encompasses the rose world. Which type should I choose, and can I even grow one? I enlisted the expertise of Lenkin Design to demonstrate that contemporary landscapes can be rose-colored.
“Roses are typically reserved for use with more formal architectural styles, but Sally Holmes’s simple charm gives her much greater versatility,” says designer Heather Lenkin. “A stunning and vigorous climbing rose, Sally Holmes blooms continually throughout the year in Mediterranean climates, produces floral displays fuller than many other climbing roses and can easily be trained to grow along fences, trellises, arbors, and walls.”
Plant Sally Holmes as a bare-root rose in winter; nurseries will begin to carry containers in spring. By early summer, abundant flower clusters will cover new canes and persist through fall.
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“Roses are typically reserved for use with more formal architectural styles, but Sally Holmes’s simple charm gives her much greater versatility,” says designer Heather Lenkin. “A stunning and vigorous climbing rose, Sally Holmes blooms continually throughout the year in Mediterranean climates, produces floral displays fuller than many other climbing roses and can easily be trained to grow along fences, trellises, arbors, and walls.”
Plant Sally Holmes as a bare-root rose in winter; nurseries will begin to carry containers in spring. By early summer, abundant flower clusters will cover new canes and persist through fall.
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Distinguishing traits. The blossoms are what make a rose, and the flowers of Sally Holmes definitely leave an impression. As new buds, the petals are a vivid coral pink and apricot. By the time the flowers mature, they fade to a soft creamy white with just a hint of pink at the tips. The subtle scent of Sally Holmes has a spicy hint. Blooming from June through October, clusters of large single blossoms last through summer.
How to use it. Use as a climber or train as a shrub. Grow Sally Holmes on a trellis or arbor, or simply allow the plant to spread naturally through the garden.
“At Lenkin Design we often combine Sally Holmes with a mixture of vines to coordinate seasonal scents and floral displays," Lenkin says. "These can include Pink Jasmine, climbing Clematis, or other climbing roses such as the glorious Eden. The coral shading in the creamy white Sally Holmes rose make it a perfect companion for the beautiful apricot, peach and pale yellow Heather Lenkin rose.”
“At Lenkin Design we often combine Sally Holmes with a mixture of vines to coordinate seasonal scents and floral displays," Lenkin says. "These can include Pink Jasmine, climbing Clematis, or other climbing roses such as the glorious Eden. The coral shading in the creamy white Sally Holmes rose make it a perfect companion for the beautiful apricot, peach and pale yellow Heather Lenkin rose.”
Keep it growing. Water regularly in well-drained soil, making sure that the soil doesn't dry out. While roses prefer full sun, Sally Holmes is more tolerant of shade. A vigorous and persistent grower, Sally Holmes is also resistant to most rose diseases. Plant bare-root roses in winter or wait until spring to plant containers. Be sure to get your roses in the ground and established before the summer heat, and new buds will abound by June.
More great design plants:
Pacific Coast Iris | Redtwig Dogwood | Hens-and-Chicks | Snake Flower | Toyon
Black Mondo Grass | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass | Red Kangaroo Paw
Blue Chalk Sticks | Catmint | Slipper Plant | Golden Creeping Jenny
Great design trees:
Chinese Witch Hazel | Manzanita | Japanese Maple | Persian Ironwood
Smoke Tree | Bald Cypress | Tree Aloe
More great design plants:
Pacific Coast Iris | Redtwig Dogwood | Hens-and-Chicks | Snake Flower | Toyon
Black Mondo Grass | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass | Red Kangaroo Paw
Blue Chalk Sticks | Catmint | Slipper Plant | Golden Creeping Jenny
Great design trees:
Chinese Witch Hazel | Manzanita | Japanese Maple | Persian Ironwood
Smoke Tree | Bald Cypress | Tree Aloe
Common name: Sally Holmes Rose
Breed: Hybrid Musk Ballerina and Ivory Fashion Rose
USDA zones: 5-9
Water requirement: Regular
Sun requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Climbing to 15 feet; can be trained as a shrub
Tolerances: Disease, shade and heat