Family

Rosaceae

Description

‘William Baffin’ is a hardy, vigorous climbing shrub rose developed as part of the Canadian Explorer series. Known for its resilience in cold climates (USDA Zones 3–9), it blooms profusely with deep pink, semi-double flowers that appear in clusters throughout the summer and into fall. Unlike many climbing roses, it requires minimal winter protection and remains largely disease-resistant. Its upright canes may reach 8–10 feet and can be trained against walls, trellises, or allowed to arch naturally for a more informal effect. This cultivar is ideal for tough conditions and lower-maintenance landscapes where more delicate roses might fail.

Though bred in Canada for extreme hardiness, ‘William Baffin’ does not occur in the wild. It’s a complex hybrid with parentage tracing to Rosa kordesii and other species adapted to northern climates. Its name honors William Baffin, a 17th-century Arctic explorer, reinforcing the cultivar’s reputation for thriving in harsh environments.

Bloom Time

June to frost