Zéphirine Drouhin is the climber to plant where people walk past it. Its canes are thornless or close to it, so it suits doorways, arches, gates and paths. Introduced in France in 1868 by Bizot, this Bourbon climber carries loose, deep cerise-pink blooms about 8 cm (3") across, with a strong, fruity fragrance. It repeats from early summer into fall, flowering almost continuously over a long season. It is also one of the few roses that will cope with a north-facing wall or part shade, though it flowers best with more sun. Its open blooms attract pollinators. Expect a climber of about 3–4.5 m (10–15 ft). It isn’t the healthiest rose in the garden: it can get blackspot and mildew, so give it good airflow, ideally on a freestanding pillar or obelisk rather than tight against a wall, and don’t crowd it. Hardy to about zone 5b. If your plant is grafted, cover the graft over winter in colder regions.

A thornless heirloom climber with strong fragrance for the shadier spots other roses won’t take.