Abundant Summer Garden Color with Climbing Roses

Climbing roses are reminiscent of romance and strolling through garden walkways awash with fragrant flowers and for a profusion of summer garden color it is difficult to beat climbing roses such as ‚”Rosa Climbing Iceberg” with its masses of ice cool white blooms. Climbing roses are not climbing plants in the strict sense of the word – they grow tall and gangly but their profusion of flowers can hide the stems completely and with some tending they can be fixed to trellises, pegged along walls and coaxed through pergolas and front porches. They are unlike rambling roses in that they climb upwards whereas ramblers are inclined to go in any direction. They also differ in their blooming patterns, climbers bloom over and over again or incessantly while ramblers have one flush of bloom per year.

Planting Climbing Roses

Planting climbing roses is very similar to planting bush roses with one exception which is important and sometimes overlooked altogether. The oversight will be a problem for the beginner unless it is noted from the outset.

• When planting a climbing rose which is to be trained along a wall remember to tilt the rose rootstock towards the wall and not to plant it upright.

• Fill the hole so the root graft is slightly covered and firm well.

• Plant in semi-shade or full sun.

• Start the training immediately by fixing a trellis to a wall or by inserting pegs at strategic points for later securing of the vigorous stems.

Favorite Climbing Roses

Climbing roses can be small growing or gigantic and vigorous so at the outset it is best to read all the descriptive labels carefully. There will be no point in growing 10ft. tall ‚”Rosa Don Juan” under a 4ft. windowsill. There are climbers suitable for all garden situations and some favorites are:

• ‚”Rosa Peace” is the most famous rose of all. It was introduced after World War Two and it has won every conceivable award since. It grows to 10ft. and its 6″ flowers are light cream to yellow. It is hardy even in cold climate gardens once protected from harsh winds

• ‚”Rosa Climbing Cecile Brunner” can grow to enormous proportions and may exceed 25ft. with ease. It is ideal for a free rein area where ample support is provided such as a sturdy pergola. The countless flowers are of the palest pink on the outer petals, darkening at the center.

• ‚”Rosa Golden Showers” is without doubt a true beauty. It is one of the most prolific golden yellow roses available and grows to 10ft. It likes a sunny sheltered position in most soils with good drainage. It has very few thorns making it ideal for front porches.

• ‚”Rosa Danse du Feu” is a scarlet climber and does well in poor soil. It even manages to perform very well on a north facing wall. Its blooms are fragrant and plentiful and complemented by dark green foliage.

Two more scarlet climbers to look out for are, ‚”Rosa Tradition95″ and ‚”Rosa Dublin Bay”.

Training and Pruning Climbing Roses

If wall trellis or pegs are being used as the main support start training the rose to grow so that its stems are in a fan-shape and try to keep the main stems as low down the wall as possible. Also make the stems as horizontal as can be to encourage a low growth habit. Training through a pergola is very much a matter of style but always ensure the main stems are as unhindered as possible. Keeping climbers in check is done by pruning and dead-heading. Over time prune away the main stems altogether leaving space for new vibrant stems to take their place. Vigorous climbers should be pruned formally after flowering.

Roses are ideal for stunning garden color and roses grown as climbers add an old world touch to modern gardens. Climbing roses are scented favorites in any garden, give a continuous flowering season and are readily obtainable in red, white, cream, pink and yellow but it is wise not to forget such beauties as the variegated climbing rose and one much-loved rose is ‚”Rosa Fourth of July”. It has oodles of perfumed, red and white blooms from Spring to Fall.