Rosa ‘Chevy Chase’

A climbing rose of long-lasting, double, bright red flowers that don’t fade in the sun.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Flowers 4–6 cm across, double, deep red, very numerous; appear in VI; strongly fragrant. Gathered by dozens on short pedicels. Typically, the shrub does not repeat blooming but in some cases it will bloom twice throughout the season. Leaves are grey-green, wrinkled. Stems long, thick, thorny.

HOW IT GROWS: A vine that leans against supports rather than climb along them. The cultivar belongs to the Ramblers group. Requires tying up. Strong-growing. The plant height depends on its support – in Poland it reaches 4.5 m. The supports should be sufficiently extensive and solid.

WHERE TO PLANT: Requires a sunny or semi-shaded site. The soil should be fertile, moist but well-drained. Neutral or slightly acidic Ph is the most advantageous. Hardy (zone 5–8).

HOW TO PLANT AND MAINTAIN: Before planting immerse the plant container in water for 10-30 min.  Place the root ball in a 40 x 40 x 40 cm hole with a 10 cm layer of well-rotten manure or compost, 0.5-1 cm deeper than it was before. Fill the hole with fertile compost soil. Regular pruning is not necessary. The only measure that should be taken is removal of dead or damaged shoots in spring. Formative pruning may be performed also following the bloom, in VII.

HOW TO APPLY: The cultivar is recommended  for house gardens, public greenery and parks, both in formal and natural areas. It may be trained along hedges or walls, entrance gates and romantic arbours. Grown without supports, it may be a feature in a large rock garden.

ORIGIN: U.S.A. Raised in 1939 by Niels Hansen.