I have a Caldwell Pink that was sold by Moore Farms botanical garden in South Carolina. It has bloomed only in the spring and has long octopus arms that extend out at least 8'. I am disappointed because I thought it would bloom all summer.

I didn't realize there was a climbing caldwell pink. I planted Caldwell pink this past spring and it is one of my best new roses. It has grown like a weed and blooms like crazy. I see more CP in my future :)

Sometimes the climbing sport of a re-blooming rose turns out to be a once bloomer. I have the bush version of Caldwell Pink, and it has been blooming since March. It is 3 years old, and about 2 -3 ft. That is nice and small - roses in my garden usually get many times larger than they are "supposed" to, so I am very happy with it. Recent pic of some blooms:

I think that what Jackie described is what has happened--some vendors are propagating the climbing version without realizing, or admitting, that it will perform differently from the bush version. I think I am going to remove mine.

Don't know if you know, but Caldwell Pink is good for budding. Someone might want it for that.

Many of the climbing sports of hybrid teas are once blooming, though not all. This is a common phenomenon.

You mean to use as the root stock? I don't know of anyone who does that right off hand, but I'll ask around. Thanks for the idea.

Yes, that is what I meant. I just realized that you are in Augusta. I'm north of Greenville, SC! It may not be virus free, but it is my understanding that it roots easily, but is very thorny. I don't have it, but that is what I have heard. of course, it was the standard version, but I would suspect the climbing would work too.

junco - Hmmm...I looked up 'Cl Caldwell Pink' (aka "Pink Pet") on HMF and it says it blooms "continuously and perpetually". Rose Petals Nursery also says it is a re-bloomer. How long have you had yours? Sometimes climbing roses need to climb first, before they settle down to blooming a lot. This can take 2-3 years. It would be a shame to get rid of it if the only problem is that it is too young.

The "octopus arms" you mention are new climbing canes - to be celebrated! If you keep the rose don't cut them off - just train them on some sort of support, preferably as horizontally as you can. This will stimulate them to produce blooming laterals. Climbing roses take more time to get going than bush roses - CP is such a wonderful rose, I would keep it and see what happens, if it were mine.

Jackie

Thanks, Jackie! I would keep it also if I had a good place for it to climb. But I bought it thinking it was the bush version and planted it at the front of a large mixed bed with other roses, shrubs and perennials. It is kind of overwhelming its spot there! I will search for a better home for it. Thanks again.

I was at Chamblees today and asked about it. Though they don't grow it, they thought it bloomed recurrently. I plan to get it at the upcoming SFA Fall Plant Sale. Would love to hear other comments or any photos.......

Judith

It has never had a heavy flush here but does throw occasional blooms all year. It's hard to control--flings long canes everywhere--and covered in vicious prickles. I'm going to give it another year, but I wouldn't plant it again. There are better options.

Doesn't sound like anything I want to plant. SFA always has interesting roses - like the Scottsville Rose, a gallica which is supposed to be the oldest rose in Texas, found around Marshall. Heaven knows I don't need any more roses [went to Chamblees yesterday] so will just pass on this one. Was hoping it was a climber that bloomed like the wonderful Caldwell Pink. Same with Belinda's Dream - the climber [which I have] is a once bloomer and nothing to write home about. Thanks for the information!

Judith

That's exactly what I thought it was going to be, Judith. I was really disappointed.

I have both Caldwell Pink and Belinda's dream both climbers. Not yet flowered after 2 years. Next year will have to get rid of them. I have a bush Caldwell pink that flowers profusely during spring and intermittently otherwise. I see my neighbors bush Belinda's dream flowering very well. So no more climbers for me

Where are you located Tessy? Climbers can take longer to establish.