William Paul and Son bred Mermaid in 1906, crossing Rosa bracteata with an unnamed tea to produce one of the most distinctive climbing roses in existence. The single bright yellow blooms with their prominent golden-amber stamens are startling in their simplicity among roses known for extravagant doubling, and they appear in near-continuous succession from summer well into fall. Against the large, hooked prickles and glossy dark green foliage, the flowers read as both elegant and slightly wild. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded it the Award of Garden Merit, recognizing its exceptional garden value.

This is a rose that thinks in architectural terms. At 15-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide, Mermaid needs space and a strong structure, whether a substantial trellis, a wall, or a tall fence. In milder climates it holds its foliage into winter, providing year-round presence. Full sun yields the best flowering and the most disease resistance, though it tolerates some shade. Hardy in zones 7-10, it is a rose for warm-climate gardeners who want drama on a grand scale.