Clotilde Soupert, Climber

1902

10 to 15 feet

There is something undeniably nostalgic about Climbing Clotilde Soupert; the kind of rose that feels as though it belongs in a faded oil painting or climbing the walls of an old European garden.

Discovered by Fruitland Nurseries in 1896 and introduced in the United States at the turn of the century, this climbing sport of the beloved Polyantha Clotilde Soupert carries all the charm of its parent, but with graceful, reaching canes that can climb 8 to 15 feet when given support.

Her blooms are small, yet irresistibly romantic. Double flowers open in flushes throughout the season, each creamy-white petal softly blushed with lilac-pink at the center. One of her most endearing traits? The canes carry very few thorns- and those that do appear are minimal- making training and tying far more pleasant than many climbers. Reaching in to gather blooms is refreshingly gentle work.

Foliage shows good resistance to blackspot, though in cool, damp weather, the tightly packed buds may occasionally ball before opening. Once warm summer temperatures arrive, however, she flourishes beautifully, with blooms opening freely and abundantly.

Elegant yet approachable, Climbing Clotilde Soupert is well-suited for trellises, arbors, fences, and cottage-style plantings where her old-world charm can truly shine.