Sombreuil Climbing Roses

Sombreuil Climbing Rose

Sombreuil may be an old climbing rose but it still carries one of the most beautiful white/cream scented flowers in the rose world. Each flower is made up of a multitude of petals forming a neatly quartered, flat just off-white rosette. Occasionally there is a hint of pink at the centre and the blooms are magnificently scented. David Austin (and who are we to argue) says that 'In quality and refinement they compare with the very best Old Roses'. Unlike the old roses, however, Sombreuil is a good repeat flowerer and puts on quite a show in autumn when other roses tend to slow down a bit. We have had a flower on Sombreuil on Christmas Day. It is not too big reaching 12ft in a good spot and maybe 5ft wide (4m x 1.5m).

However, if you want something a little more modern or you are looking for companion roses to plant with Sombreuil then have fun going through the complete selection of British grown roses here

Great for your garden

Because Sombreuil climbing roses are so hardy they are an excellent choice for exposed sites and for frost pockets. It is, however, one of the most sophisticated roses and with its incredible scent, it really demands a position where it can be seen and smelt often. Brilliant on a pergola or a sunny wall behind a terrace or even just outside the kitchen door which is where we have it as Sombreuil is a family favourite. It is well behaved enough to be grown as a large pillar rose. In all cases, once established it looks magnificent as host to a smaller pink clematis such as Comtesse de Bouchard planted close by.

Rosa Sombreuil facts

• Type: Climber
• Colour: Ivory, sometimes with a touch of pink
• Flower shape: Complex, quartered
• Fragrance strength: Huge
• Final height and spread: 12ft x 5ft
• Flowering season: All summer
• Repeat Flowering: Yes
• Disease resistance: Good

Sombreuil Climbing Rose trivia

Probably bred in France by Robert in about 1850 and possibly named after an unlikely heroine of the French Revolution. The story is that Mademoiselle de Sombreuil saved her father's life during the Terror by being prepared to drink a glass of (human) blood offered to her by his persecutors. She always maintained afterwards that it turned out to be wine in a bloodstained glass but she may not have known until, as it were, it was too late. Unfortunately, it only brought about a stay of execution as her father was executed the following year.

How to plant Sombreuil Climbing Roses

Sombreuil can be ordered at any time - bareroot for planting between November to April, or pot grown for the summer.

Plant 12-18ins away from the support on which your rose will climb. Semi-shade will do but the more light the better. Dig a hole deep enough to allow the graft to finish at soil level when planted and with plenty of room for the roots. Improve the soil from the hole by removing large stones, weeds, roots and other rubbish and mixing in a goodly amount of well rotted compost or manure. Spread Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi over the bottom of the hole so it will make contact with the roots. If planting a pot grown rose gently loosen some of the roots before planting.

Position your rose so its roots are spread out and the union is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with the planting mix, firming it down as you go. Water in thoroughly. Water again a day or two later and then keep watering in dry spells.

Feed with a good top dressing and then mulch with well rotted manure in spring and (guess what) keep well watered during dry periods for the first year.

Climbing roses roses do not need the radical pruning that you give to ramblers. Just a gentle shaping and removal of growths that are old and tired or in the wrong place will do any time between late November and the middle of March. Sombreuil should be deadheaded throughout the summer to encourage continuous flowering.