Mary Wallace is a deciduous perennial cultivar climber in the Rose family (Rosaceae). Bred by Dr. Walter Van Fleet and introduced to the United States in 1922 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Parentage is R. wichuraiana and an unnamed hybrid tea rose. This vigorous climbing rose will grow 10-20 feet tall and 8 feet wide with few to no prickles. Plant in well-drained soils in full sun for best results. Prune after blooming in fall to control size and to remove damaged or diseased canes. The large, fragrant semi-double flowers will appear in spring with a summer flush and occasional fall blooms. Grow this climber on fences, trellises or any vertical surface. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Very disease resistant, but is susceptible to blackspot. See pests of roses to the left. Deer and rabbits will browse roses. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheRosa America™ 'JACclam'Rosa 'Belle de Baltimore'Rosa Morning Magic™ 'RADmor'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
shiny, medium green leaves
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
4-5 inch flowers that appear singly or in small clusters with large, long pointed buds. The semi-double blooms are cup-shaped and moderately fragrant with 8-15 petals.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Green stems are nearly free of prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
USA
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Barrier; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#deciduous #thornless rose #climbing rose #fragrant flowers #climber #showy flowers #vigorous #arbor #fence #trellis #pink flowers #repeat flowering #vertical spaces