Adam, the climber Cecile Brunner only blooms once and gets massive. People who think they have a climber that reblooms (I was one of them) most probably have the intermediate version of Cecile Brunner which is a large bush that can be used as a climber. If you can find a climbing Duchesse de Brabant that would look gorgeous and it is fragrant. I don't know how good it is for cutting. I think a lot of the tea roses would consent to be climbers if they're propped up. My Mrs. B.R. Cant definitely looks as though it could be a climber. Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux might be another possibility.

I have the bush version of DdB which is beautiful, but the flowers fry straight away, even with afternoon shade from the neighbors ficus.I'lll have to keep an eye out for other options. I'm even considering Evelyn.

I have Mrs. B.R. Can't in partial shade, and she definitely wants to climb in those conditions. My Spray Cecile Bloomer repeats and is climbing my front fence, but doesn't throw those long, lanky canes that are so good for training. It has stiffer canes.

If you plan on the same cl Cecile Brunner I have....your gonna need a bigger pergola

Actually Cecile Brunner will sometimes repeat lightly in California. I've seen it. And I am talking about the tree scrambler, not the intermediate sized one.

Would maman cochet climbing build a ''roof'' like CB?

Look at the "Tea-Noisettes:" Madame Alfred Carrier, Wm Allen Richardson, Crepuscle....

In W.A, Maman Cochet would probably work for you, but Catsrose's suggestion of tea- noisettes is another good idea. Check out E.Veyrat Hermanos on HMF. I grew it against a north facing brick wall in Melbourne and it was a beautiful rose, with no problems. I think, with the added air circulation of a pergola, it would be magnificent! The photos on HMF show varying colours but mine was invariably towards the deep apricot/pink flowers.

So, I've kind of narrowed it down to..

Cecile Brunner

Mamman Cochet (pink climber)

Souvenir de la Malmaison

Souvenir Madame Leonie Vennot.

Are any of these ones I should really avoid?

I believe Souvenir de Madame Leonie Viennot is not a great repeater and Cecile Brunner won't give much, if any rebloom. CB is so vigorous it may bring your structure down with time. I don't know if SdlM as a climber is as prolific as the bush form, but if it is you would have a winner. Maman Cochet also seems like a good choice, although I personally prefer the white form which I believe also has pink tinges.

Adam, out of curiosity wouldn't any of Alister Clarke's roses go for your location?

I have seen Lorraine Lee (cl) growing nearby, but it is a scarcely foliated and mildewy mess.

I had also considered Black Boy, but it just doesn't feel right.

Ever considered Belle Portugaise? A whopper, but gorgeous.

So in the face of limited options, I settled on climbing pink mamon cochet. Let's hope she's vigorous enough to do what I want.

Original question: if you enjoy growing grapes, and if you want a variety not available in grocery stores, then yes, you need a grapevine. If not, then no.

Haha, thanks rose folly.

The grape is gone now. Not only did I get hardly any grapes, it took a lot of pruning and was quite unsightly for much of the year. Its only april and it was a horrible brown mess when everything else is lush and green.

No regrets about replacing it with a rose yesterday.

We'll need some pics of your Maman, Adam! I bet she'll be wonderful. I love the way her blooms nod down - would be perfect for viewing from under that arbour of yours :)

Here she is!

It will be interesting to see what she looks like aftef 12 months.

The man at the nursery said everything gets huge in Perth because we have one of the longest growing seasons in the world, we are the sunniest city in the world after all.

She looks like she's happily settled in already. Every time I mention roses, my husband rolls his eyes and goes through the litany ("Black spot, rust, powdery mildew, deer...."). I have a Rosa alba Maxima and it's growing quite happily. I want a couple of the hardier David Austin roses. As he chants his litany, I look at his 27 (I think) grape vines, in their fenced enclosure with its drip system and think, "You know, that'd be a great spot for roses...." You have lived my dream, Adam! ;)