Schoolgirl Rose Bushes

• Variety: Schoolgirl
• Type: Climbing Rose
• Colour: Warm apricot-orange
• Fragrance: Moderate, sweet
• Height: 300cm (10ft)
• Flowering: June to October, repeat-flowering
• Aspect & Support: Full sun to partial shade; needs tying in to wall, fence or pergola
• Good for: Walls, fences, pergolas, warm brick
• Sold as: Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered: By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Schoolgirl is a climbing Hybrid Tea rose with warm apricot-orange double blooms and a sweet, moderate fragrance. Flowering from June to October, it reaches 300cm (10ft) and is one of very few climbing roses in this distinctive colour range.

Schoolgirl, A Rare Apricot Climber for Warm Brick

Bred by McGredy in Ireland in 1964, Schoolgirl has never lost its appeal among gardeners seeking something different on a sunny wall. The large, classically formed Hybrid Tea blooms are a glowing apricot-orange, a colour so uncommon in climbing roses that once you plant this variety, you understand why it has remained in cultivation for six decades. It is not a vigorous grower in the mould of some ramblers, but that is part of its charm. Schoolgirl is controlled, manageable, and far more refinement than vigor.

The colour is particularly striking against warm brick or stone, where the orange tones seem to glow in afternoon light. Plant it where it catches the setting sun and you will see exactly what McGredy intended. It flowers repeatedly from June through the first frosts, so you get not a single flush but a genuine succession of bloom. The sweet fragrance, though moderate rather than overwhelming, makes cutting a few stems for a small vase a genuine pleasure.

This is a rose for the gardener who knows what they want and does not mind waiting a little longer to see it happen. It will reach 300cm (10ft) given patient training and tying in, and it prefers a sunny or lightly shaded position on a wall, fence or sturdy pergola. Feed it annually and it will repay you with reliable, lengthy flowering.

Training and Support for Best Results

Schoolgirl flowers on side shoots from horizontal or near-horizontal canes, so train it low across a fence or wall rather than simply tying it vertically. Tie in new growth gently in summer, and in late winter (February or early March) prune out any dead wood and shorten the flowering side shoots to 5-7cm. This method encourages dense flowering habit and prevents the bare lower growth that untrained climbing roses often develop. It is not a rampant grower, so you will not be fighting it back twice a season. One careful prune in early spring and regular summer tying in are all it needs.

Fragrance and Cutting

The sweet, moderate fragrance makes Schoolgirl excellent for cutting. The double blooms last well in the vase and the colour does not fade or muddy as some orange roses do over time. A few stems in a narrow vase on a summer morning is enough to scent a room without overwhelming it.

Companion Plants for Climbing Roses

Schoolgirl's warm apricot tones pair beautifully with lavender, clematis and tall perennials. Try it with lavender at the base for softness and complementary purple, or interplant with clematis to extend the flowering season. Herbaceous plants such as tall catmint also work well nearby. For a bolder scheme, combine with allium and warm-coloured perennials.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

Our climbing roses are budded onto vigorous rootstock and grown for us by specialist rose growers. We are winners of the Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award and hold the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Browse our full collection in the climbing roses range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Schoolgirl disease-resistant?

Schoolgirl is generally healthy when well-sited and fed, but is not documented as having special disease resistance. Plant it in open, sunny positions with good air circulation to minimise risk.

How tall does Schoolgirl grow?

It reaches 300cm (10ft) in ideal conditions. Growth is steadier than some ramblers, so allow three to five seasons for it to reach full height. Train it horizontally to encourage side shoots and fuller coverage.

Can Schoolgirl be grown in partial shade?

It tolerates partial shade but flowers more reliably and the colour is more vibrant in full sun. A south or west-facing aspect is ideal for showing off the apricot-orange blooms.

When should I prune Schoolgirl?

Prune in late February or early March. Remove dead or diseased canes and shorten the flowering side shoots to 5-7cm. Avoid hard pruning, which reduces flowering. See our climbing rose pruning guide for full details.

Is Schoolgirl a repeat-flowering rose?

Yes, it flowers repeatedly from June to October, with a good flush in early summer followed by secondary waves through summer and autumn. Regular deadheading encourages continued blooming.