In The Garden Now ... Kiftsgate Rose Hips

Clusters of white flowers in June

Kiftsgate Rambling Rose

Text and photos by Victoria Gilleland

Kiftsgate Rambling Rose is a very large climbing rose that puts on a spectacular flower display for several weeks around the summer solstice in June. It produces large sprays of honey scented white single flowers that perfume the entire garden on warm days. By summer’s end clusters of bright red berries have replaced the white flowers. Rose hips develop from pollinated flowers. Roses such as Kiftsgate that have flowers with a single row of petals are easier for bees and other pollinating insects to pollinate than those with many petals and are therefore more likely to produce rose hips. Kiftsgate produces tons of bright red hips!

 

This vigorous climber grows 20 to 30 foot canes in a single season. In our garden well armored canes with wicked thorns have rocketed over a 10 foot high arbor with ease and then across the roofs of house and carport. My husband and son have been known to attack our Kiftsgate with a machete which I see as an unnecessary assault on a beautiful rose. On the other hand, given some leeway, Kiftsgate has the potential for engulfing  the entire garden … hasn’t happened yet and we’ve had Kiftsgate in our garden for 20 years.

In Fall red berries replace the flowers

We’ve had great success growing Kiftsgate up the tall evergreen trees on the street side of our garden. Visitors have been amazed by the ”blooming” Douglas Fir trees they come across as they walk down the garden path. In June clusters of white flowers festoon the boughs of the trees. By fall red berries have replaced the flowers. It’s quite a sight!

Rambling Kiftsgate grows happily in full sun to shade. It may flower more heavily in full sun, but produces very nicely in the shady garden. Our plant has been disease free ... no blackspot or other rose diseases and is maintenance free except for the obvious … pruning. Pruning can be kept to a minimum by growing this climbing giant in an appropriate place. We do not fertilize Kiftsgate other than with the decomposing leaves nature provides.

Kiftsgate Rambling Rose could be a fabulous addition to your garden if you have the right place to let it climb …. Otherwise beware!

Botanical Name:  Rosa filipes Kiftsgate

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.