Cover an arbor, fence, or pergola with fragrant pink blooms - even in partial shade - on this nearly thornless heirloom climber.
Strong raspberry fragrance, nearly thornless canes, and 15- to 20-foot growth make this 1868 Bourbon rose remarkably useful more than 150 years later.
Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose brings beautiful roses to garden spaces where many climbers are difficult to grow or difficult to handle. Vigorous 15- to 20-foot canes can be trained over an arbor, across a fence, or along a pergola, covering vertical spaces with richly colored pink flowers and strong raspberry fragrance. Unlike most roses, Zephirine Drouhin tolerates partial shade, and its nearly thornless canes make this substantial climber easier to train, prune, and enjoy up close.
This beloved Bourbon rose has been grown since its introduction in 1868, and its enduring popularity is easy to understand. Long, pointed buds open into loose, old-fashioned 4-inch flowers with approximately 24 ruffled petals in saturated shades of cerise-carmine pink. Flowering most heavily in its major flushes with additional blooms through the season, Zephirine Drouhin combines the romantic beauty and fragrance of an heirloom rose with unusual versatility in the landscape.
Why You'll Love It
Vigorous 15- to 20-foot growth transforms arbors, pergolas, fences, and trellises
Nearly thornless canes are easier to train, prune, and handle than heavily thorned climbers
Performs in partial shade as well as full sun
Strong raspberry fragrance perfumes the garden
Large 4-inch cerise-carmine pink blooms have romantic old-fashioned form
Repeat flowering extends color and fragrance over a long season
Heat tolerance and disease resistance add useful garden performance
An enduring Bourbon rose introduced in 1868
Why This Rose Stands Out
Most climbing roses ask gardeners to provide plenty of sun and then contend with thorny canes as they train the plant onto a structure. Zephirine Drouhin offers a remarkably different combination. It tolerates partial shade, grows 15 to 20 feet tall, and produces long, nearly thornless canes that are easier to guide across a fence, over an arbor, or along a pergola.
Then there is the fragrance. Strong raspberry perfume accompanies richly colored pink flowers with the loose, ruffled character of an old-fashioned rose. Introduced in 1868, Zephirine Drouhin has remained a garden favorite for generations because its heirloom beauty comes with qualities that are still genuinely useful in today's gardens.
Best Garden Uses: Arbors, pergolas, trellises, fences, walls, cottage gardens, semi-shaded garden spaces, and cut flowers
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose special? Zephirine Drouhin combines three unusual qualities in a large climbing rose: nearly thornless canes, strong raspberry fragrance, and the ability to grow in partial shade. Its vigorous 15- to 20-foot growth makes it an excellent rose for covering substantial vertical garden structures.
Is Zephirine Drouhin really thornless? Zephirine Drouhin is considered nearly or virtually thornless. Its relatively smooth canes make it easier to handle and train than many heavily thorned climbing roses.
Can Zephirine Drouhin grow in shade? Yes. Zephirine Drouhin can grow in partial shade as well as full sun, making it especially useful for fences, walls, arbors, and other garden spaces that do not receive full sun all day.
What does Zephirine Drouhin smell like? The flowers have a strong raspberry fragrance. Fragrance is one of the defining qualities of this heirloom climbing rose.
How tall does Zephirine Drouhin grow? Zephirine Drouhin is a substantial climber that can reach approximately 15 to 20 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Give it a sturdy structure and enough room to develop its long canes.
Does Zephirine Drouhin bloom repeatedly? Yes. Zephirine Drouhin is a repeat-blooming climber. It produces its strongest flushes during the season with additional flowers appearing intermittently between major flushes.
Where should I plant Zephirine Drouhin? Plant it beside a sturdy arbor, pergola, trellis, fence, or wall where its long canes can be trained as they grow. Its nearly thornless stems and strong fragrance also make it especially appealing near garden paths and outdoor living areas.
Care Tips
Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil beside a sturdy support. As the canes grow, secure and train them across the structure rather than directing all growth straight upward. Training long canes more horizontally can encourage flowering shoots along more of the plant. Water deeply while the rose becomes established and during dry periods. Prune to remove dead or damaged wood and manage mature canes while preserving the climbing framework.
Grow with Confidence
For more than 150 years, Jackson & Perkins has helped gardeners grow exceptional roses with confidence. Explore our expert resources for planting, care, pruning, seasonal maintenance, and more.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
I ordered plants July 3rd and received them September 22nd. They are very small maybe 9 - 12 inches. Look healthy but for 100 dollars a small result, not impressed. Hope they do well as I had high expectations.
bboucher from OR
August 14, 2026
Zephirine Droughin Climbing Rose
This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars
When will the $29.95 be in stock again. I would like to have (4) four when they are available...please advise.
Victoria from NC
July 16, 2026
Zephirine Drouhin
This shopper rated the product 2 out of 5 stars
Lovely flowers, enchanting citrus/rose scent. Beautiful in cut flower arrange arrangements. But seems to have no resistance to black spot.
Claudia from OR
July 06, 2026
Disappointed
This shopper rated the product 2 out of 5 stars
Bought two in February 2023 and it's now July 2026. Here in North Florida, neither have ever bloomed. I've had them in he ground in shade and part shade (protected from the harsh afternoon sun), then in large pots in full sun and not so much as a bud. They have been bushy, but even when supported they don't climb. This year, one decided to call it quits. Done with both.
Andy from FL
June 26, 2026
Smaller than Anticipated
This shopper rated the product 4 out of 5 stars
The small plant arrived healthy and in secure packaging. I knew that it would be a small plant but the container only seemed to be maybe 3 inches. For the cost, I would rather purchase the next size up.
Bare root roses are the most common form of roses for spring and early season planting, and come in two types: grafted and own root.
Grafted roses, sometimes referred to as budded bare root roses, have roots that belong to a different variety of rose than the shoots. While the shoots will grow into the variety of rose you've selected, the root variety has been specially grown and developed for hardiness, improved resistance to common diseases, and improved resistance to certain weather conditions. The roots on any grafted rose you receive are usually already two years old, so they'll establish in your garden more quickly when planted.
Own root roses are grown from rose shoot cuttings and develop their own root system. Unlike grafted roses, both their roots and shoots come from the same variety of plant.
All Jackson & Perkins bare root roses are maintained in a suspended state of growth in our state-of-the-art wet cooler, so they'll be delivered to you with no foliage or blooms. The wet cooler has a uniform storage temperature set just above freezing and uses a fog system to provide consistent humidity of 100%, ensuring the roses remain fully hydrated and don't exit dormancy before leaving our facility. While you might see some variance in size, even within the same variety of bare root rose, all our roses meet the same rigorous standards of quality.
So, not sure which type of bare root rose you should choose? Don't worry, we've got that covered. We've researched which varieties of bare root roses grow better as grafted or own root, and both types can be planted in the early spring months, so just choose the variety of rose you're most interested in and get planting.
Though you might be surprised or intimidated when you receive a box of bare root roses filled with roots and shoots, rest assured, with the proper care, these little bundles will grow into stunning roses.
Container Roses
Container roses are typically available in 2-quart sizes or larger and come with established foliage that may or may not have blooms. While bare root roses should generally be planted in early spring, container roses allow you quite a bit more flexibility in planting time, from spring all the way through fall in many zones. Fall can be a good season to plant container roses because it allows them enough time to establish themselves before cold or freezing temperatures arrive.
Jackson & Perkins World's Finest Roses
The Jackson & Perkins Difference
Jackson & Perkins is one of the most recognized names in the gardening industry. In fact, for decades rose lovers have considered Jackson & Perkins synonymous with great roses. How has Jackson & Perkins earned this reputation? Simple, for over 100 years we have brought our customers the world's finest selection of roses.
Jackson & Perkins became a leader in the world of roses by producing dozens of award-winning roses. Jackson & Perkins has won more All-America Rose Selection awards than any other US company. In addition to the AARS awards, Jackson & Perkins has won numerous other awards, including the coveted Golden Rose of The Hague and the Royal National Rose Society’s President’s International trophy, among others.
From seed to market a new garden rose can take 8 to 10 years to develop. Every year, thousands of seedlings are grown but only a handful are selected to move into the trial phase. During this time, potential new roses are grown and evaluated in different climatic regions of the country. Our rosarians are looking for rose bushes that have stronger disease resistance, vigorous growth habits, and clean healthy foliage. When it comes to blooms, they are looking for improved flower form, unique colors, and strong fragrance.
Today Jackson & Perkins offers over 200 varieties of roses that includes a broad selection of exclusive roses, historical favorites, and innovative genetics from hybridizers around the world. We have two seasons each year for roses. In the spring, we offer bare root rose bushes, bare root 36” trees, 24” patio trees, and container grown roses. Our fall season is all bush roses, and they are available in 2QT and 1GL containers.
Whether you are new to roses or are an experienced rosarian, our online store has rose varieties for you. Our website is packed with information. You will find each rose fully described and lots of articles and videos that will help answer all your questions. Our call center staff have decades of experience and are just a phone call away.
Jackson & Perkins is here to help you in every way on your rose-growing journey. There is no other plant in the garden that comes in more colors, fragrances, shapes, or forms, or performs as many functions than roses do.
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