Climbing Roses

These are distinct from most ramblers in that they tend to have larger booms, the ability to repeat flower and be of stouter growth. Climbing roses form a most useful group of plants, the stronger growing varieties are often seen covering walls, fences, arches and pergolas, whilst shorter varieties can be trained around poles and tripods to form 'pillars'. They all require support and it is essential they are well tied to their structures. Plants are best trained horizontally at first to prevent any legginess and encourage a spreading habit. Pruning Guide: Once established they are pruned by reducing side shoots to two or three buds of the main stem and tying in any new long growths. A number of groupings exist for climbing roses of which the main ones are listed below.