Rose
Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose
Rosa 'Joseph's Coat' · Rosaceae
Also called: Joseph's Coat
Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose (Rosa 'Joseph's Coat') is a moderate-water rose well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun, with a fast growth rate.
Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hrs) for best color; in Tucson, morning/eastern exposure with afternoon shade protects the multicolor blooms from fading and scorch
- Mature size
- 8-12 ft canes x 4-6 ft wide; trainable climber
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- Multicolor: opens yellow-orange and matures to pink and red, often all colors at once, Repeat-flowering; strongest flushes March-June and fall, color shifts as flowers age
- Cold hardiness
- USDA 5-9; hardy in Tucson 9a-9b. Cane tips may show minor burn in hard freezes but recovers.
- Soil
- Well-drained amended soil; amend Tucson alkaline/caliche soil with compost and provide a sturdy support structure
- Native range
- Cultivar bred by Armstrong & Swim, USA, 1964; genus Rosa native to the Northern Hemisphere
- Best used as
- Climber for trellis, arbor, fence, or wall, Vertical color accent, Screen
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and pollinators
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to pets and people; thorny canes
How to grow Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Deep-water to 2-3 ft: weekly in winter, 2-3 times weekly spring/fall, 3-4 times weekly in summer. As a large climber it needs ample, consistent deep moisture at the root zone.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Heavy feeder: slow-release rose fertilizer (N and P) every 6 weeks from after pruning through June, half-strength or rest midsummer, resume September. Iron/zinc chelates correct alkaline-soil chlorosis.
Pruning & care
Train, do not hard-prune like a bush. After the spring flush, remove dead/weak wood and tie long canes horizontally to a trellis/fence to maximize bloom; do major shaping in winter. Seal large cuts against borers.
Notes
Listed among proven heat-tolerant climbers for Arizona; prized for changing multicolor blooms. Provide a strong support and train canes horizontally for maximum flowering. Hose foliage in early morning to manage aphids and mites; watch for black spot in humid monsoon periods.
Sources: https://johndenson.com/roses/best-roses-for-arizona/; https://extension.arizona.edu/publication/rose-care-low-desert; https://www.gardeninginthedesert.com/a-guide-to-growing-roses-in-the-desert/