Roses are not true vines in the botanical sense. A true vine, or liana, is a plant that has evolved specialized structures, such as coiling tendrils or adhesive aerial roots, allowing it to self-climb. These adaptations enable plants like grapes, ivy, or wisteria to ascend a support structure independently. The confusion arises from “climbing roses,” which have a growth habit that allows them to be trained vertically, but they lack the anatomy for genuine self-climbing.
Why Roses Are Not True Vines
The distinction lies in the fundamental anatomy of the rose, which is classified as a woody perennial shrub in the genus Rosa. True vines possess a specialized mechanism for attachment and a thin, flexible stem. Roses are structurally dependent on their environment for upward growth, behaving more like scrambling plants. They lack the tendrils, twining stems, or sticky rootlets characteristic of self-climbing species.
The sharp prickles found on rose canes are a defense mechanism and an aid to grip, but they do not actively attach the plant to a surface. These prickles can help the long canes hook onto other vegetation. However, they are not sophisticated enough to provide the secure attachment needed for climbing. Without an external support system and manual tying, the long, arching canes would simply flop onto the ground, confirming their status as non-vining shrubs.
What Climbing Roses Really Are
The term “climbing rose” is a horticultural classification, not a botanical one. It describes rose cultivars with naturally long, arching canes that can be trained vertically. These plants are essentially long-caned shrubs that rely on a gardener to secure them to a support structure. The two primary types are Climbers and Ramblers, which differ significantly in their growth patterns and blooming cycles.
Climbers
Climbers are generally repeat-flowering, producing blooms in successive flushes throughout the summer and into autumn. Their canes tend to be stiffer and more manageable. This makes them suitable for trellises and fences in smaller garden spaces.
Ramblers
Ramblers are much more vigorous, often sending out long, flexible new shoots that can cover a large area quickly. They typically flower only once per year in a spectacular, profuse flush, usually in early summer. Ramblers are better suited for covering large arbors or scrambling into trees.
Training and Supporting Vertical Growth
Since these roses cannot climb on their own, successful vertical growth requires a robust support system and mechanical training. Structures like trellises, pergolas, arches, or horizontal wires fixed to a wall are necessary to bear the weight of the mature plant. The long canes must be physically tied to this support using soft ties or garden twine to prevent damage.
To maximize flower production, the main canes should be secured as horizontally or diagonally as possible, rather than trained straight up. Bending the cane away from the vertical changes the plant’s hormonal balance, encouraging dormant buds along the cane to sprout. This redirection stimulates the production of lateral flowering shoots along the entire length of the cane, resulting in a much fuller display. The lowest wire should be placed about 18 inches off the ground, with subsequent wires spaced roughly a foot apart, providing a framework for this lateral training.