It isn't difficult to grow roses beneath trees. Some roses have no fear of dappled shade and they scramble out of it happily in search of the sun. The gardener need only find those roses that will work to fulfill her vision. Ramblers with R. Multiflora or R. Winchuriana in their parentage may work best for this purpose. They will be vigorous roses. But there are many roses with some degree of shade tolerance.
Shade-Tolerant Roses
Morning sun is best. And if the gardener has a tree with an open view to the east and south, she may be able to give the rose at least 4 hours of bright sunlight. These roses are some of the best choices for this purpose.
Roses for Height
Rambling Rector is an old rose with R. Multiflora and musk rose parentage. It can grow to 30' or more, well into the tree's canopy. It has small white flower clusters and a lovely musk scent. Zones 5-9
Alberic Barbier has R. Wichuriana parentage. Produced by the Barbier nursery in France, 1901, and is known as a modern rambler. The flowers are creamy white with yellow centers. It grows well in shade and can grow to 20' in a year in some locations. Zone 4-10
American Pillar is a rambler traditional to American country gardens and often considered a good rambler for climbing into trees. Offers large clusters of bright pink flower on strong canes. Will grow to 20'. It has R. Winchuriana parentage. Zones 5-10
Kiftsgate has Rosa Filipes parentage. It has similarities to Rambling Rector, but it is a climber rather than a rambler. It offers clusters of small creamy white flowers on strong arching canes and a scent that fills the air. This is a vigorous rose and will climb into the treetops very quickly. Zones 4-9
Rosa banksia lutea, also known as Lady Banks Rose or Yellow Lady Banks has the R. Banksia parentage. It is very floriferous and offers an abundance of bright yellow flower clusters. It is a rambler with very dense growth and thornless canes. Will grow to 30'. Zones 4-10
Veilchenblau is also known as the Blue Rambler. It has the odd distinction of appearing blue in some light conditions. It is a German rambler with R. Multiflora characteristics. The flower clusters are very fragrant, and they are violet with streaks of white fading to gray as the flowers age. It is an earlier flowering rose growing to 15'. Zones 5-9
A Few Shorter Roses for the Base of the Tree
The rugosa, Blanc Double de Coubert has clusters of large ivory-white wrinkly flowers. Semi-double blooms. It has a more open characteristic than most rugosa roses and is a hardy rose choice for colder climates. Average rugosa height to 6'. Zones 3-10
Zepherine Drouhin is an old Bourbon climbing rose, well known for its lack of thorns. The flowers are deep pink and have a lovely scent. It thrives in shadier spots and is a good choice for growing beneath trees. Grows to about 10', but can be trained as a shrub. Zones 5-10
Konigin von Danemark is an old Alba rose. The bright pink petals of the flowers are tightly packed and can be as wide as 3" across. It blooms once in clusters in mid-summer and can grow to 4' on average. This is a very prickly old rose. Some old roses may be prone to proliferation. Zones 4-10
More Good Things About Growing Roses Beneath Trees
In northern climates, roses should be grown with protection from the north or prevailing winds. High shade from trees in north and west situations will protect the rose from the dangers of late spring frosts, just as the first new leaves are unfurling. It will also protect the rose against early autumn frosts when some roses are still in flower.
If the rose is grown through a tall evergreen, the evergreen protects the canes from the bitter drying winds.
When roses are situated in the scorching mid-day sun, especially in poor or light soils, bluing or fading of the flowers can occur. Roses prefer the range of garden zones mentioned in the above lists.
References
Online
Schneider, Peter, Peter Schneider on Roses, 1995, McMillan, New York. pp. 205-206
Beales, Peter, Peter Beales Roses, 1992. Henry Holt and Companty, New York, p.79
Botanica's Pocket Roses, Whitecap Books, 2001
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