Peggy Martin Climbing Rose

Size

A legend in pink, Peggy Martin smothers vertical spaces with cascades of soft, candy-rose blooms on nearly thornless canes. This climbing rose grows 1215 feet or more when trained, making it a strong choice for large trellises, pergolas, and fence lines that need height. We recommend it for gardeners who want a robust climber with history, size, and nearly smooth canes.This deciduous climber became famous after surviving weeks of Hurricane Katrina floodwater in Peggy Martins Louisiana garden. It is widely valued for strong disease resistance, heat and humidity tolerance, and a nearly thornless habit that makes training easier than with many climbing roses. The main bloom is in spring, with some warmer-climate gardeners seeing a lighter late-season rebloom. Grow it over a sturdy arbor, along a sunny fence, or across a large wall where its arching canes can be guided horizontally for more flowering shoots.Peggy Martin Climbing Rose CarePlant Peggy Martin Climbing Rose in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light each day. It grows best in well-drained, organically enriched soil with a slightly acidic pH around 6.06.5. Avoid soggy sites, and give the roots plenty of in-ground room rather than using a pot.Water deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, adjusting for rainfall and soil type. Once established, water during dry stretches when the top few inches of soil are dry or the newest leaves begin to flag. Feed in early spring with a rose fertilizer or balanced slow-release fertilizer, and repeat after the main bloom if growth is active.Prune in late winter after the worst cold has passed, removing dead, weak, or crossing canes first. After spring flowering, shorten side shoots as needed and tie the longest canes outward or horizontally to encourage more bloom-bearing laterals. A mulch ring helps keep moisture steady, but keep mulch pulled back from the crown.Peggy Martin Climbing Rose SpacingSpace Peggy Martin Climbing Rose 812 feet from other large climbers or shrubs so the canes can spread without crowding. Allow at least 35 feet from the base of a fence, arbor post, or trellis area depending on how you plan to train the canes. This rose is not recommended for containers because its root system and mature top growth need more room than a pot can provide. In the landscape, pair it with salvia and catmint at the base for pollinator activity and lower color. Plant boxwoods nearby for evergreen structure that stays below the rose canopy.