Posted on by susurrus

Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’ Climbing On A Pergola At Kew

'Maid of Kent' rose at Kew Gardens

One climbing rose was outperforming the others during our recent stroll down the long pergola at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

Rosa 'Maid of Kent' close up

Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’ has small, lightly scented flowers that open pink, then ruffle a little more as they pale to white, creating a lovely mix on the plant.

Maid of Kent climbing rose with heavy panicles of roses

Double roses are held closely together in long, heavy panicles, giving a very distinctive effect, as if the plant is wearing garlands.

Maid of Kent roses open pink and fade to white

The day before had been very rainy and I was impressed how the blooms were showing no signs of suffering from their drenching. The foliage was a clear, glossy green at a time when other roses were showing clear signs of their vulnerabilities.

Maid of Kent rose climbing over a pergola

‘Maid of Kent’ is a vigorous climbing rose, making it ideal for a sturdy pergola that will allow the panicles to hang overhead where they can be admired. On a rose arch you’re unlikely to get that disappointing bare expanse at the top (and more likely to completely swamp the structure if it is too petite).

Looking our through a climbing rose

The experience of being by the rose was quite remarkable. Few people passed without lingering or taking a picture of themselves or their sweethearts under it (I was called over to take a picture of one lady).

Rosa 'Maid of Kent' Pink and white climbing rose

I wondered if we were lucky with the timing – we had certainly caught it at or near its peak when the other roses were resting. I’d guess ‘Maid of Kent’ begins to flower a little later in the season than most, so would be a good addition to help tide a rose garden over a lull. It repeat-flowers well.

This is a genuinely vigorous climbing rose that can reach 4.5 to 6 m within 5 years, depending on which authority you consult. Its stems are pliable so there’s less likelihood of them snapping off or sticking out awkwardly when being trained against a wall, tall fence or structure.

Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’ was bred by Rumwood, a British company, and released in 1999. I am not sure how widely it is available worldwide. I note that Shoot Gardening are listing it as a floribunda-type rose that reaches 1.2 m high, ironically under the warning ‘99% of plants die because they were the wrong plant choice’. As so often when researching roses, I’m left uncertain whether theirs is a different rose of the same name, perhaps a sport, or a mistake. 

21 Replies to “Rosa ‘Maid of Kent’ Climbing On A Pergola At Kew”

  2. I have a similar rose, but it was grown from a cutting 30 years ago. It is supported by a large tree and has the same colour combination. Blooms only once, but there are so many buds the display lasts from late May through July.

    1. It’s one of those plants where the individual flowers are not highly scented but it produces so many of them that hardly matters.

  6. Garlands indeed! And what buds! I note the bud in the second picture, the one that appears so tight it’s still green and seems to be saying “Move over!” And the bud in the middle of the held cluster — how clever of nature to arrange such things! That’s a great photo from underneath; it shows a different beauty. I cannot imagine being there, but I’m loving the vicarious visit! Thank you!

    1. The peeping out from its mother’s skirts effect? You feel more of the lightness of the blooms when you’re looking outing their greenery is delicate too.

  8. Dear Susan;
    thanks for all the info about this rose. Nicely photographed. Amazing how the flowers can stand the rain.
    All the best
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    1. I often think of a red Golden Celebration one of my friends reported seeing in Russia. It should have been golden yellow, need I say?

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