BIG BEN™ – creamy yellow climbing rose - O’Connell
Imagine afternoon tea under a light-scented arbour: BIG BEN™ rises in graceful arches, draping creamy-yellow blooms that soften to ivory above dark, glossy foliage. This robust climber quickly creates a romantic, storybook backdrop for family gardens, with long, well-anchored canes that cope reassuringly well when exposed to brisk coastal breezes and unsettled weather. Its strong, lasting fragrance and semi-double, cluster-flowered blooms make it as reassuringly traditional as it is easy-going. As an own-root plant, it settles steadily, with roots establishing first, then stronger shoots, before the full ornamental picture develops by the third season. In everyday care, light annual trimming and simple spent-bloom tidying are usually enough to keep its framework neat, while its medium disease tolerance suits hobby gardeners who prefer occasional, not constant, attention.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Family pergola or garden arbour |
BIG BEN™’s climbing habit and dense foliage create a sheltered, storybook pergola within a few seasons, giving dappled shade for seating or children’s play. Simple tying-in and light pruning keep the structure inviting for family gardeners |
| Romantic cottage-style house wall |
Trained on wires or a trellis, its long, flexible canes and glossy leaves soften bare brick or render with a classic cottage look, while strong fragrance by doorways or windows enhances everyday routines for traditional-style homeowners |
| Arch over a garden path |
The abundant creamy-yellow blooms, fading to soft white, frame a walkway beautifully, especially when viewed from the kitchen or patio. Moderate vigour makes it easier to keep an archway tidy without constant clipping for busy urban gardeners |
| Low-maintenance focal point in small gardens |
Vertical training allows generous flowering in a small footprint, ideal where border space is limited. Own-root plants age gracefully, so once established, BIG BEN™ remains a stable, long-lived feature with minimal intervention for time-poor beginners |
| Cut flowers for the home |
Large, cup-shaped blooms on long, straight stems suit casual cutting for jugs or vases, bringing their strong scent indoors. Regularly cutting a few stems doubles as light pruning to encourage fresh growth and repeat flowering for creative home florists |
| Screening and privacy on boundaries |
Its height and dense, dark foliage form a soft green screen along fences or pergolas, breaking up views without feeling heavy. In windy, exposed spots it anchors well when given a sturdy support and careful initial training for practical homeowners |
| Raised beds on heavier or clay soils |
Planted into improved soil or raised beds, its own-root system develops steadily, supporting long-term health and reliable flowering even where drainage is challenging. Over time it builds a resilient framework with repeat blooms for problem-soil gardeners |
| Large containers on terraces or patios |
In a 40–50 litre or larger container with a trellis or obelisk, BIG BEN™ offers a classic climbing rose experience where borders are not available. Regular watering and occasional feeding are usually all that is needed for courtyard rose lovers |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Archway – Train BIG BEN™ over a metal or timber arch, underplant with Lychnis ‘Magenta’ and catmint for a frothy, pastel walkway – ideal for lovers of romantic English cottage gardens
- Kitchen Door Arbor – Frame a back door with this fragrant climber, edging the path with dwarf box for structure and rosemary for practicality – appealing to home cooks who like scented, useful planting
- Storybook Pergola – Let its long canes weave across a simple pergola, mixing with clematis for layered colour and dappled shade – perfect for families wanting an atmospheric tea-and-play corner
- Soft Screen – Use BIG BEN™ on tensioned wires along a boundary, combining with airy grasses and foxgloves to create a gentle, semi-transparent privacy screen – suited to small-garden owners seeking subtle seclusion
- Patio Feature Pot – Plant in a 50-litre terracotta container with an obelisk, and surround with low-growing herbs for a compact yet romantic vertical accent – for balcony and terrace gardeners short on border space
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
BIG BEN™ – creamy yellow climbing rose - O’Connell; commercial large-flowered climbing rose; ARS exhibition name Big Ben; part of the climbing rose collection for garden and ornamental use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Spontaneous sport of ‘Compassion’® discovered by Colleen O’Connell; breeder based in New Zealand; introduced by Matthews Nurseries in 2008 and later by Jackson & Perkins in 2024 for wider international distribution. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Climbing habit with 240–390 cm height and 90–160 cm spread; dense, dark green glossy foliage; moderately thorny canes; best trained on supports such as arches, walls, pergolas and robust trellis systems. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double blooms with 13–25 petals, large cup to goblet-shaped flowers in clusters; remontant with an abundant second flush; flower size typically 7–10 cm, suitable for decorative cutting from established plants. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Creamy-yellow blooms, RHS 158C outer and 11D inner; buds butter-coloured, opening to pale creamy-yellow with lemon centres, gradually fading to almost white with a lightly yellowish throat as flowers age on the plant. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent typical of classic climbing roses; fragrance character not fully documented but noted as robust and persistent, making it well suited near seating areas, entrances and frequently used pathways. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces moderate quantities of ellipsoidal hips, 10–14 mm in diameter; hips colour to orange-red (RHS 40A) as they ripen, adding seasonal autumn interest if spent flowers are left untrimmed after the main blooming period. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy to around –26 to –23 °C, corresponding to USDA Zone 5b and Swedish Zone 4; medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, likely needing occasional protective care in damp, high-pressure seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers sunny positions with well-drained soil; recommended 140–150 cm planting distance, or 250 cm as a specimen; moderate maintenance with tying-in and periodic deadheading; partial pollinator value due to semi-double flower form. |
BIG BEN™ – creamy yellow climbing rose - O’Connell offers fragrant vertical colour, long-lived own-root reliability and an atmospheric pergola or arch effect; an excellent choice if you would like a classic, enduring garden feature.
