Large-flowered climbing rose (Rosa 'Wekroalt' FOURTH OF JULY)
Get vibrant red and white striped blooms yearly with Rosa 'Wekroalt' FOURTH OF JULY. This Large-flowered climbing rose is a showy repeat bloomer for zones 5-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY, known commonly as a Large-flowered climbing rose, offers spectacular, patriotic color for vertical landscapes. This cultivar is highly valued for its profuse clusters of semi-double blooms featuring striking red and white striping, providing continuous interest from May until the first frost. As a repeat bloomer, it ensures prolonged color display throughout the growing season.
This robust deciduous shrub typically matures between 10 and 14 feet tall, requiring strong support to showcase its vigorous climbing habit. Achieving its best flowering and disease resistance generally requires placement in full sunlight, although it can tolerate very light shade. Gardeners appreciate the deep green foliage complementing the highly ornamental, sweetly scented flowers, making the Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY a centerpiece for sophisticated garden structures.
As a 1999 All-America Rose Selection winner, the quality and reliability of this Large-flowered climbing rose are well-established. It combines the classic appeal of a climbing rose with modern performance, rewarding careful cultivation with exceptional beauty across USDA Zones 5 through 9.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-14 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Red and white striped
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting should ideally occur in late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant, ensuring deep rooting before summer heat. The Large-flowered climbing rose thrives in well-drained garden loams that are slightly acidic. While it tolerates light shade, full sun exposure is critical for maximizing both flower production and natural disease resistance—a key consideration for any successful Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY specimen.
Water deeply and regularly, prioritizing morning irrigation to minimize wet foliage during the evening, which helps deter common fungal issues. Apply summer mulch around the base to maintain consistent soil moisture, keep roots cool, and suppress weeds. Deadheading spent blooms encourages the plant to produce successive flushes of its signature striped flowers.
Good air circulation is paramount for vigorous health. Ensure adequate spacing when training this climber onto its support structure. In colder climates within its range, such as the edges of Zone 5, provide winter protection for the crowns. Pruning should be executed in late winter or early spring when new growth begins to emerge, primarily to remove dead or crossing canes and shape the structure. Always destroy diseased or fallen foliage promptly to reduce overwintering pathogens.
Landscape Uses
The primary architectural role of Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY is as a vertical accent. This Large-flowered climbing rose excels when trained against substantial supports such as privacy fences, sturdy trellises, or dedicated pillars. Its height of 10 to 14 feet makes it perfect for softening imposing wall surfaces or framing entrances.
When integrating this climber into the garden design, pair it with plants that share its cultural demands for full sun and medium water. Consider low-growing perennials or groundcovers at the base that won’t compete heavily with the rose’s root system but will hide the lower canes. Its dramatic, striped flowers make it a spectacular specimen plant, drawing the eye upward.
For arbors or pergolas, allow the canes to weave naturally once secured, creating a ceiling of fragrant, vividly colored blooms. The repeat blooming nature of this rose ensures that structures it covers remain visually dynamic throughout the entire warm season, maximizing the impact of this superb climber.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY is a repeat bloomer known for its profuse clusters of semi-double blooms, which possess a lovely fragrance and measure up to 4.5 inches in diameter with distinctive red and white striping. This cultivar features deep green foliage and typically reaches 10 to 14 feet tall over time. It earned recognition as a 1999 All-America Rose Selection winner, confirming its esteemed status among rosarians.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses are genetically susceptible to numerous diseases and pests that require proactive management. The most common foes include black spot, powdery mildew, and rust; in some regions, rose rosette disease is a concern. Cultural control is the foundation: ensure excellent air movement, water correctly, and sanitize tools. In humid climates, preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season are often necessary to keep foliage clean.
Pest pressure commonly involves aphids sucking sap, beetles chewing foliage, and spider mites exploiting dry conditions. Inspect canes and leaves regularly, especially during spring and early summer. Early intervention, such as washing off aphids with a strong jet of water or applying targeted, labeled controls for more persistent pests, is more effective than waiting for severe infestations to develop on your Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Large-flowered climbing rose suitable for?
The Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9. Gardeners should confirm their classification before planting.
How large does Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY grow?
This Large-flowered climbing rose typically reaches a mature height between 10 and 14 feet, with a spread ranging from 3 to 6 feet, necessitating substantial support.
When does Large-flowered climbing rose bloom?
This variety offers an extended season of color, blooming consistently from May until the arrival of frost, featuring attractive red and white striped flowers.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY need?
For optimal flowering and best disease resistance, this rose requires full sun exposure, though it can briefly tolerate very light shade.
Conclusion
The Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY delivers spectacular visual appeal with its intensely striped blooms and reliable repeat flowering, making it an outstanding choice among climbing roses. Its fragrance and stature ensure it brings drama and beauty to vertical garden elements. Before purchasing, confirm that your site offers full sun and that your climate falls within USDA Zones 5-9 to ensure the best performance from this celebrated Large-flowered climbing rose.
Companion Planting
Companion planting around roses focuses on improving soil health, deterring pests, and providing aesthetic contrast without competing aggressively for root resources. Consider planting low-growing garlic varieties near the base to potentially disrupt soil-dwelling pests, or calendula, which attracts beneficial insects.
Chives and marigolds are often recommended companions grown close to roses. While scientific evidence for strong pest repulsion is mixed, their presence offers low-growing color that complements the height of the Large-flowered climbing rose without blocking necessary air circulation around the base of the canes.
When selecting companions for Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY, ensure they do not require excessive moisture, as climbing roses prefer soil that dries slightly between deep waterings. Choose plants suitable for full sun and medium water needs consistent with the requirements of a healthy rose garden.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation is key to a successful season for your Rosa ‘Wekroalt’ FOURTH OF JULY. As the threat of hard frost passes, prune out dead wood, thin overcrowded centers, and begin your preventative fungicide program if prone to common rose diseases. Apply slow-release fertilizer formulated for roses once new growth emerges.
Summer is focused on maintaining bloom quality and health. Water deeply, especially during dry spells, and deadhead faded flowers regularly to promote rebloom. Monitor closely for aphids and mites, treating localized outbreaks immediately to prevent spread. Mulch should be maintained to regulate soil temperature.
In autumn, transition care by stopping fertilization to encourage hardening off before winter. Conduct final sanitation by diligently gathering and destroying fallen leaves, which harbor fungal spores. If you reside in colder portions of Zones 5 or 6, prepare winter protection for the base of the climber before the ground freezes hard.
