Climbing Roses Create Vertical Garden Beauty

You can add drama and color to your home with climbing roses. They can be trained around a trellis, a column, or a boundary. You can even let them climb up a wall of your house.

Some seasoned gardeners are leery of climbing roses because of concern that climbing roses can be damaged by cold weather; also because some types take years to reach full maturity. However, a wide selection of climbing roses can sustain harsh weather and bloom beautifully.

Rose Planting Time

The best time to plant any type of climbing rose is early spring. Follow this advice and your roses will have 6 or 7 months to become established before the cold sets in.

Before choosing your climbing rose, first get acquainted with the 3 distinct categories of climbing roses: rambling roses, trailing roses, and true climbing roses.

Ramblers

The most intrusive climbing roses are the ramblers. These exuberant roses can grow up to 20 feet in 1 season. Although most of the roses from ramblers are quite small, many of the newer varieties produce larger roses. Unfortunately, ramblers have a tendency to be susceptible to mildew.

Trailers

If you're looking for a climbing rose that is tougher and less prone to mildew and disease, you might prefer a trailing rose. These climbers look great planted alongside walls. It's suggested that you stake them, because otherwise the long canes will grow along the ground instead of upright. Trailing roses typically bloom approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter. 2 of the more popular trailing roses are the cultivars and Rosa Wichurana.

True Climbers

If you enjoy climbing roses with large flowers, true climbers may be exactly what you're looking for. These types of roses produce flowers in large clusters. There are 2 categories of true climbers: bush climbers, and climbing hybrid teas. Bush climbers will continue to bloom throughout the season, while climbing hybrid teas may last only a few weeks. The bush climber has more resistance to mildew and disease than the climbing hybrid teas.

How to Plant Roses

Planting your roses is an easy task. The first thing you'll need to do is choose an area to dig a hole. Your hole should be approximately 1 foot from your trellis or wall, and should be about 1 foot deep by 1 foot in diameter.

Once you've dug a hole, you'll need to add organic matter. Well-rotted manure or compost will be fine. Next, carefully remove the rose from its container. If you come across tangled outer roots, gently untangle them with your fingers. Place your plant in the hole and fill it in with any extra soil. Water it thoroughly once you've planted it.

How To Water & Train Your Roses

You should water your climbing roses at least once a week. The soil should be saturated.

Once your rose's canes have grown long enough to reach the trellis or arch, tie the canes to the structure. Unlike a vine, which is equipped with tendrils, climbing roses need help to attach to a structure. You can tie them with a soft cloth or string. Remember to give the canes enough room for growth and expansion. Be sure not to tie them too tightly.

Choose the right climbing roses and they’ll beautify your home for years to come!