First is a red climber; something that stays fairly compact and would preferably be not super thorny. I have a arch over a garden gate that I would like to train a red rose up the arch and part way down the fence line.

Second, I plan on a wider arch in a lower part of the garden but between apple trees (we are keeping the fruit trees to the height they are pick-able from the ground with out ladders) so no house eaters for that spot either.

I have the cuttings of Pink Gate (from Kim) that so far are doing pretty well. I had planned on putting them on either side of the lower street gate, one on a post and the other up a fruit tree but maybe this would be a better spot?

Any suggestions?

A red climber? I've seen Red Eden in this area, and it certainly looks beautiful trained over an arch, but I think I've read online that its canes are rather stiff. Don't know about thorns.

It would be fun to put the rambler Apple Blossom in among the apple trees, but I'm afraid it is too much of a house eater. Oh, but the display of flowers in the spring (once bloomer only) is so spectacular......

Melissa

Love the pictures of your Baty's Pink Pillar climbing a tree. I'm very close to you (Redlands area), so same or similar climate. I was hoping to grow a climbing Souvenir de la Malmaison up a tree, but am wondering whether Baty's would be a better choice. Can you (or anyone) offer an opinion?

Thanks,
jannike

I planted Illusion last fall, which is supposed to be a great red climber, but it is very prickly!

Gean

Carol, I will check out Altissimo, I think Jeri said it is a good one here and I can find it at Ottos and see just how thorny it is in person.

Melissa, I will check out Red Eden since it is in the local Rose Fields. But I have heard the other Edens do not do that well here. They are stunning though.

Mendocino, do you think Senegal would be as deep a tone here if it was warm? Mom just told me she does not like the really dark color of Ebb Tide (which we got because she liked purple)

On a different arch in to the veggie garden, I am going to plant my pair of Louise Odiers. So a strong pink is a good back up. But I do want something with a scent. Closer to the house on that upslope with scent is a goal (neighbors "medicate" outdoors so it smells really skunky several times a day)

It is also listed at hmf, though, as 'Rhode Island Red' - it's there under both names, two separate entries.

Both entries are worth reading, picture-wise and information. I bought it in Alabama at Petals of the Past under even yet another name, but Malcolm Manners identified it for me as 'Fields of the Wood'/'Rhode Island Red'.

Gean