Gloriana Patio Climber Rose Bushes

• Variety: Gloriana
• Type: Climbing Rose (Patio Climber)
• Colour: Rich lilac-mauve
• Fragrance: Slight, sweet
• Height: 250cm (8ft)
• Flowering: June to October, repeat-flowering
• Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
• Support: Obelisk, pillar, fence or wall
• Good for: Patio gardens, small spaces, containers with support
• Sold as: Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered: By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Gloriana is a patio climber raised by Warner in 1997, reaching 250cm (8ft), with rich lilac-mauve small double blooms held in large clusters and a slight sweet fragrance. This is a genuinely unusual rose that flowers continuously from June to October, making it a remarkable choice for anyone tired of the same red and pink climbers.

Gloriana, The Unexpected Lilac Climber

Gloriana's lilac-mauve colouring is striking and uncommon in the climbing rose world. The small, perfectly formed double blooms arrive in generous clusters, creating a soft, romantic effect that sits somewhere between a modern shrub rose and a true climber. What makes this variety special is its restraint. It's a patio climber, not a vigorous rambler, which means you won't be fighting it back every spring. At 250cm (8ft), it's perfectly scaled for pillars, obelisks, and smaller fence panels where a full-sized climber would overwhelm the space.

The continuous flowering habit is the real gift here. From June right through to October, you'll have fresh blooms appearing in tight clusters along the stems. Unlike some climbers that exhaust themselves with one glorious flush, Gloriana keeps going. The slight sweet fragrance is delicate rather than heady, which suits the overall character of the rose. Plant it somewhere you'll walk past regularly, and you'll catch that gentle scent on warm afternoons.

Training and Supporting Your Patio Climber

Because Gloriana is more compact than a full climber, it responds well to deliberate training. Train the main stems horizontally along a pillar or obelisk, tying them in regularly during the growing season. This encourages side shoots to develop, which is where the flowers appear. An obelisk in a sunny border, or a pillar beside a patio seating area, will show off the unusual colour beautifully. It can also be trained against a smaller fence section, or even grown in a large container with a sturdy obelisk support if space is truly limited.

Continuous Colour from Summer into Autumn

What separates Gloriana from many other climbers is its commitment to flowering. There's no long gap between flushes. As long as you deadhead spent clusters and keep the plant fed and watered through the growing season, it will reward you with constant colour. This makes it invaluable for smaller gardens where every plant needs to earn its place. Pair it with late-flowering clematis or let it frame a garden room, and you've created a vertical feature that works for months, not weeks.

Companion Plants for Unusual Roses

Gloriana's lilac-mauve tones work beautifully with soft purples and silvers. Plant it near lavender or catmint for a coordinated colour scheme, or train a late-flowering clematis through it to extend the season. Silver foliage plants like artemisia or senecio will echo the mauve tones. For structure and contrast, consider underplanting with hardy herbaceous perennials such as salvias or eryngium. You might also explore other climbing roses with unusual colours for a coordinated scheme.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

We supply roses budded onto vigorous rootstock, grown for us by specialist growers. Award-winning service means you'll receive healthy, well-established plants by next-day courier. Explore our full climbing rose collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall does Gloriana actually grow?

Gloriana reaches 250cm (8ft) in height, making it a patio climber rather than a vigorous rambler. It's perfect for obelisks, pillars, and smaller fence panels where full-sized climbers would be too much. See our climbing roses guide.

Will Gloriana flower all summer long?

Yes. Gloriana flowers continuously from June to October with repeat blooms, especially if you deadhead spent clusters regularly and keep the plant fed and watered. This makes it excellent for small gardens requiring long-season colour.

Is Gloriana fragrant?

Gloriana has a slight sweet fragrance rather than a strong scent. It's delicate and pleasant on warm afternoons, suiting the rose's overall character and the romantic effect of its lilac-mauve blooms.

What support structure does Gloriana need?

Train Gloriana on an obelisk, pillar, or smaller fence panel. It can also grow in a large container with sturdy obelisk support. Tie stems in regularly during the growing season to encourage side shoots where flowers form.

When should I prune Gloriana?

Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead wood and shortening side shoots to 15cm. For detailed guidance, consult our climbing rose pruning guide.