Designing a Rose Garden in Northeast Pennsylvania

Site Assessment and Rose Selection for a Hillside Property

A gardener on a south-facing hill in NE PA wants a rose garden with climbers in partial shade and bushes in full sun.

Climbers for Morning Sun / Partial Shade

Recommended: Altissimo, Albas (Madame Plantier), Magic Dragon, Red Cascade, Veilchenblau, Zephirine Drouhin (thornless), Climbing Pinkie, R. mulliganii, Dorothy Perkins, Moonlight.

Companion Shrubs (Disease-Resistant, Shade-Tolerant)

Old European roses, Rugosas, Hybrid Perpetuals, Albas, Aloha, Betty Prior, Musks, Cécile Brünner, Grüss an Aachen, John Franklin, Poulsen roses, Lafter, Marie Pavie, Nearly Wild, Rise n Shine, Sitka, The Fairy, White Pet, The Gift, LaMarne, Sally Holmes, Rosa alba semi-plena, Species roses (woodsii, nitida, moyesii, etc.).

Underplanting Suggestions

Gooseneck loosestrife, lilies, columbines, caryopteris, sedums, Johnny-jump-ups, catmint, catnip, Siberian iris, lily-of-the-valley, campanula, lamb's ears, daylilies, yarrow, forget-me-nots, snapdragons.

Key Principle

Avoid hybrid teas in challenging sites. Choose proven, resilient classes for your conditions.