From £6.00
Rosa Filipes Kiftsgate is one of the most famous (and largest) roses in the world. It is a giant rambling rose producing the most unbelievable show of cascading trusses of beautifully scented, creamy-white flowers in midsummer which are followed in autumn by masses of bright red hips. (Being a bit of an anorak, I have actually tried to count the flowers on one truss and gave up when I reached 100 - Ed). It does not repeat flower, but the sight of the Kiftsgate Rose in full bloom is unforgettable and the space it occupies is worth every penny. It is a little bit like the firework that ends the show.
See the full range of rambling rose bushes and plants available for sale.
Great for your garden
Because rosa Filipes Kiftsgate can easily grow to more than 40ft (13m) it is clearly not for your average back garden. At Kiftsgate Court it is nearly 30m tall which is about 100ft. However it is the perfect rose for covering double garages and clambering into large trees, as it grows to great heights and is shade tolerant. Whatever you grow it into however needs to be strong as, when fully grown, Kiftsgate is heavy. It is disease resistant, shade tolerant and the first rose to put on your list if you have the space.
The Kiftsgate rose was found in the gardens at Kiftsgate Court in the 1930s and was named in 1951. Given its rate of growth it is hard to see why it was not taken note of before! Its complete parentage is unknown, but it is almost certainly a seedling from rosa filipes which is a giant rambler (although not as large as Kiftsgate).