Rose Alister Stella Gray

'Alister Stella Gray', also known as ‘Golden Rambler’, is a powerful climbing Noisette rose distinguished by its vigorous growth, long flowering season, and luminous yellow blooms. This exceptionally robust rose develops long, flexible, almost thornless canes that can reach up to 5 m (16.4 ft) in height, forming either a classic rambler or, if left untrained, a large, fountain-shaped shrub. Its glossy, dark green foliage provides a striking backdrop to the cascading clusters of small yet richly colored flowers.

The buds are long, pointed, and tightly curled, initially a deep egg-yolk yellow. As they open, they transform into medium-sized, double flowers measuring 5 - 7 cm (2 - 2.8 in), most commonly around 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, with 26 - 40 petals. The blooms are quartered, rosette-shaped, and silky in texture. Color evolves throughout the life of the flower: opening amber-yellow, the outer petals lighten to soft yellow or creamy tones, while the center remains a warmer, richer yellow. With age, flowers fade further to creamy hues. In autumn, coloration intensifies again, shifting toward apricot and golden-yellow shades.

Flowers are borne in clusters that vary with the season. Early in the season, 3 - 5 (occasionally up to 8) flowers appear on a single peduncle; later in the season and especially in autumn, the inflorescences become much larger and may contain up to 35 flowers. Flowering occurs continuously in flushes throughout the season, ensuring long-lasting ornamental interest. The fragrance is moderate, sweet, and refined, with a classic Tea rose character.

The plant is very vigorous, forming a large shrub or tall climber 200 - 500 cm (6.6 - 16.4 ft) tall and up to 300 cm (9.8 ft) wide. The canes are flexible and bear very few or no prickles, making training easier. Foliage is small, dense, glossy, and dark green, contributing significantly to the plant’s ornamental appeal and emphasizing the warm yellow tones of the flowers.

Disease resistance is good, particularly in dry, well-ventilated locations, where the plant shows strong resistance to black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. It is a frost-resistant variety, suitable for USDA Zones 5b - 10b, and performs best in dry climates, tolerating hot summers well.

'Alister Stella Gray' is highly versatile. It may be used for walls and fences, arches and pergolas, hedges, or trained as a climbing rose on supports. It can also be grown as a large arching shrub in spacious gardens. The flowers are suitable for cutting, and the plant’s combination of vigor, resilience, and romantic appearance makes it a striking feature in both historic and informal garden designs.

This continuously flowering old rose captivates gardeners with its unforgettable Tea-scented fragrance, abundance of golden-yellow to creamy double blooms with warm orange-yellow centers, and its charming rosette form with delicately twisted petals. Its flexibility, relative lack of prickles, and general low maintenance make it a rewarding and characterful rose for many garden situations.

The rose is named after Alister Stella Gray (1877 - 1957), the only son of the hybridizer and Marcella Kerr (1847 - 1877). Alister Stella Gray was born in East Ferry, Dunkeld, Scotland; his parents were married on May 2, 1867, at St. Paul’s Church in Edinburgh. His mother died four days after his birth.

 Royal National Rose Society – Award of Garden Merit, 1993

 American Rose Society – “Victorian” title, AARS competition, 1999

‘William Allen Richardson’ × ‘Madame Pierre Guillot’

USDA 7