I really like your trellis. Very unique looking!

I can only comment about John Davis, as he is the only climber I have. I have JD on the west side of my house, so it gets full sun from about 1:00pm on. I've had it for about 7 years now, and it only gets to about 5' or slightly taller, so may not be tall enough for what you want to cover.

Four hours of sun may be a bit of a challenge for roses to bloom properly. I think I've heard that 6 hours is what most rose growers classify as the minimum amount of sun required. But, this being said, you could still try with roses (it wouldn't stop me, as I love a good challenge;^)).

I don't winter protect JD at all, and actually it's in a fairly wind-swept corner, so doesn't get a whole lot of snow cover either. And I think your trellis is plenty strong enough for roses too.

Good luck on your search,

Laurie

I think it's a pretty trellis too. I personally would use Henry Kelsey since it's tough, shade tolerant, and gets rather large. So it would cover as much as you want without being skimpy and you could prune it to shape. On that shape of trellis I would be inclined to plant three roses, one in each segment, and prune to espalier them so they cover it well rather than growing tall. Just MHO.

I totally hear you about asking questions here - it just seems so much easier.

Here is a link that might be useful: Henry @ Helpmefind

Henry Kelsey is beautiful. Thank you for the suggestion and the link. However, even though the picture looks pink, the color description says medium red. I'm afraid it is too dark for my pastel garden blooms. I like John Davis too, even though it might not get enough sun, maybe it just won't bloom a ton. I read that the Buck rose Applejack takes part shade and can do winter in zone three without protection. Any thoughts? (Is "medium red" really just wordy for "pink"?)

Well, Henry K. is definitely not red, he is pink, but if you're going for a pastel effect he's not that either.

I'm not familiar with the others you mention. What's coming to mind is another great vigorous climber, New Dawn. Palest shell pink. It's a monster in some locations. For us, I'm not even sure how hardy it is as I just bought it for my mom last year. Supposed to be zone 4-ish. It grew and grew and greeeeew, so even if it dies back some from the winter I'm sure it will grow back. If you want to wait until late May or so, I will report for certain on its hardiness. Oh yeah it's shade tolerant too. But not a good choice if you don't like prickles! It's like a box of fishing tackle.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Dawn @ HMF

I would consider Lillian Gibson. At the Morden research station they grow it on a trellis about as high and wide as yours. It is only a one time bloomer, but to me the fragrance and mass of bloom more than makes up for that.
Leo

John Cabot is a beautiful rose. It's a double dark pink. One of mine is 15 yrs old already, so that should prove it's hardiness. It grows to about 7 ft here too. I also have John Davis and last year planted America and Prairie Princess. They only grew to about 5 ft. This year (on order) I am getting Rosarium Uetersen, which is a very double med pink. Bred in Germany and hardy to zone 4. I also have ordered William Booth, a single pink Explorer with a lighter eye. There are lots of other hardy climbers out there. Others that I wouldn't mind getting in the future are Dortmund, Ramblin Red, Alchymist, and Polstjarnan. Polstjarnan is a once blooming white that is supposed to be very vigorous and iron clad hardy. I've never heard of Dr. Harry Upshall, I'll be checking that one out.
I don't protect my roses with anything but extra snow. We have no shortage of the white stuff right now. Last week we had another 20" or so. I have wind blown banks of at least 5 ft in my yard. It's going to be a long time before I can get my hands into the garden dirt.

John Cabot was one I was gonna mention along with Rambling Red. Where in WI are you? I gardened in Green Bay for 20 years but the only climber I ever tried was Dortmund but it didn't survive its first winter. Folks in the NEW Rose Society up there used Explorer roses as climbers along with JC and Rambling Red.

But folks she wants a pastel colour...

I thought of Polestjarnan too but a lot of people won't grow a once-bloomer. Lillian Gibson looks nice too but same thing.

I don't think I would bother planting anything that isn't specifically described as shade tolerant. 4 hours is not much sun at all. BTW would you be able to cut down a tree or two to open the area up? Just a thought.

I live in Northwestern WI. The USDA Hardiness zone map for the division of 3 & 4 runs right through my area. But I am also on a small strip of land on a hill between two lakes, surrounded by trees. I've easily killed zone 4 plants that were suppose to be indestructable.

The electric company cleared out quite a few trees, so it might be closer to six hours now of sun, but it is definitely part shade. The intesity of the few hours of direct sun have killed shade plants (I lost a brunerra and a really cool looking geranium[cranesbill]).

The lack of sun also decreased the pallet of my garden to pastels. Lots of pinks and purples and yellows. That New Dawn might just be the trick. It's lovely, and the pale color at that higher field of vision should play well with my other lower plants.

I still like the Dr. Henry Upshall. It was cultivated by Hortico in 1993 according to Google. Still not sure if it can handle the lack of lots of sun though.

I won't put anything new into the garden until Mother's Day, so I still have lots of time to research. Will be putting the Godkids to work in April on hardscaping after the frost finally heaves. Dr. says I can garden in April, but I doubt that means I can haul rock.LOL