Tess of The d'Urbervilles® English Rose

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 9

This intensely red English Rose has the fragrance of an old-fashioned climbing rose with the low-maintenance traits of a modern variety. Tess of the d’Ubervilles has fully double petals on extra large blooms, yet stays a manageable size. It can be trained as a climber or used as a specimen shrub to form a loose vase shape in a large area. Deep green foliage stays fresh and perky all summer due to its high disease and pest resistance. The long blooming period of this rose will add color and serious drama to your garden all summer long. 

This climbing rose stays relatively short at 8 feet, making it very manageable for small gardens or outdoor spaces. Train it along wires to cover a garden shed or other structure that could use some dressing up, or grow it on a trellis to add a lovely vertical element to a cottage garden. Deer may browse the flower buds early in the growing season, especially those around 3 feet high. Never fear, this shrub will rebound from light browsing to produce more flowers. Annual maintenance is minimal; light pruning and seasonal fertilization will keep this star of the garden growing well. 

Tess of the d’Ubervilles® English Rose Care

Roses require as much sun and warmth as possible, along with moisture-retentive soil. That may seem like a tall order, but annual mulching with organic compost, shredded arborist chips, or other decomposable materials will help to enrich garden soils and conserve moisture. Plant this climber along a wall with a southern exposure for the most reliable growth and winter hardiness. Plants growing in southern climates will appreciate some shade during the afternoon. Water with soaker hoses or drip irrigation to keep the foliage dry and the root system deeply watered.

Climbing roses should be pruned at the end of winter or in early spring, just before new growth emerges. This timing makes the overall structure easy to see and prevents damage to the plant by late-season frost. Choose the strongest canes to tie into wires, pergolas, or other supports. These canes produce side shoots that will become the flowering stems for the season. Deadheading as the season continues into late summer will encourage more flower development and help to keep the plants tidy. 

Deep mulching of the root zone and crown is beneficial in zones 4-7. Uncover the crown in the spring to allow the soil to warm and to prevent the rotting of new shoots. 

Tess of the d’Ubervilles English Rose Spacing

With an overall height of 4-8 feet and a narrow width of 3-4 feet, Tess of the d’Ubervilles English Rose is easy to fit into smaller spaces. Allow at least 2 feet all around the base of the rose when interplanting with other perennials and shrubs. This allows the root system room to spread without competition from other plants. Provide a sturdy trellis or obelisk when growing this climber in a planter or other container. Use a container with at least a 20-inch diameter or 8-gallon capacity.

SKU:

1231007551-pc