1759 5 to 15 feet A native of southern China and Taiwan, this rose was introduced early to North America and has now become thoroughly established here. It was first botanically described from a specimen growing in Georgia and is that state's official flower. 'The Cherokee Rose' is a mounding bush to about 5 feet, or a thickly foliaged climber to 15 feet with neat, apple-green leaves. In the spring, fragrant, pure white, 5-petaled flowers appear and cleanly drop their petals to disclose star-shaped sepals. It is one of the best for naturalizing in the South since it does not sucker (unlike the 'Macartney Rose', with which it is often confused) and offers an outstanding floral display in return for very little care. Please note: Depending on the variety, it's possible your climber can take longer to bloom than a regular shrub. The old garden saying is "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap". Some climbers can take a few years before they put on their first blooms, but we promise... it's well worth the wait!
