Clematis and Climbing/Rambling roses
johnmcbrien
Posts: 6
Hi all, Firstly apologies as I am completely new to any aspect of gardening yet the excitement of my first home and the ability to at least try has got me keen to start.
So bear with me as no doubt there will be several flaws in my thinking
I have a large wooden fence 6 ft high by 8 ft wide with a flower bed running at the bottom of the fence the full width of the fence. Ideally I hoped to plant a colourful combination (if possible) of clematis and climber/rambling roses. I understand I have much more research to under take and a lot no doubt to try and pick up as I start out but fundamentally I wished to ask if anyone can advise if a combination of these plants would
a) give a good height and width coverage of the fence and if so am I looking at a planting multiple plants along the flowerbed
b) is thinner tressil better to allow for shoots and stems to be trained rather than wider chunkier tressils (was thinking wooden tressil but wire and vine eyes seems potentially better)
c) I like the idea of of colour for as long as possible throughout season - so given that is its possible to pick a combination of plants that would flower at different times without yet competing with each other
Without sounding like I want it done for me can anyone offer me some guidance at all for a rough number of plants to cover the fence and combination of possible plant types. The fence remains cool morning and night yet catches sun the best part of the day as it moves around.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks
Posts
Is this a boundary fence or an internal fence within your garden? I'm trying to picture the fence, if it's only a single structure 6 foot high by 8 foot wide, then you wouldn't want any more than 1 climbing rose and 1 clematis really. The use of wire and vine eyes would be preferable, but it would be good to see a photo of the fence in question.
Hi Marlorena,
I have went through my phone and don't actually have one of the fence. I have one where the fence was almost but just not completed before we got the house, and, then a second photo where you can just about see what I am talking about. It would be the facade behind the car.
Looking at it you may think my idea silly but was just what I was thinking at the moment - perhaps on what you have said flowers planted in the flower bed might be more visually appealing
You cant actually see the flowerbed in this photo as the fence line was pushed back after this photo and the flower bed created at that time also (to give an extra car space) but the width of the fence and the height remained the same as in the photos below
Thank you
Oh that's alright, great photos, thanks for taking the trouble. Nice fence, perfect for what you want to do, and no problem whatsoever, so don't be deterred, however as it's just that one fence you want planted, I would still stick to what I said earlier, about 1 rose and 1 clematis, as otherwise you would have too much going on, on that fence...
Given the colour of your house wall, if it was my choice, and this is entirely personal depending on what colours you like, I might plant 'climbing Iceberg' up that fence, planted in the middle of the fence, and perhaps a dark blue clematis, one I like is called 'The Vagabond', both these plants repeat bloom all summer, and pruning of both is simplistic..
Just an idea, but it would be good to know your colour preferences then others too can chime in with suggestions...
It would be great to clothe that fence so onwards and upwards...
Asides from the fence we have talked about; the fence travels on down along the kerbside next the road Marlorena which I suppose would not be mine to cover (technically - albeit its the outer side of my fence) can I ask do you think it would it be hard work to curtail the clematis/climbing iceberg to the one fence panel?
Assuming I set the climbing iceberg to the middle of the fence would it matter which side I placed the Vagabond for example? I really do love the idea of the fence enthralled with flowers and colour but I think if it doesnt cover well it will look poor..
Really love the colours you suggested after looking at both especially the climbing iceberg. I had oranges/yellows and reds in my mind originally - I seen what I think was a clematis mentioned only by 'Flamethrower' but I may have picked that up wrong.
Thanks for the ideas by the way - theres so much to try and grasp and take on board but it does make it a little easier when someone else can throw a few combinations out that should work.
John, it would not be hard work trying to curtail the rose in any way, and in fact I would probably allow some meandering of the climbers along that fence line, but that's up to you..
'Clg. Iceberg' doesn't have that many thorns either, to contend with but there are many other variety of roses and clematis to choose from, and this rose would have no problems covering the height and width of you fence, the clematis would need more time, and if you are worried about that, there are others you might look at, such as 'Etoile Violette' and 'Mme. Julia Correvon' to name but two, these are incredibly vigorous and so easy to prune, as they are cut down to the ground each February.
Here are some photos to give you a flavour of what you can do, from my own garden..
'Mme. Julia Correvon'.. this is a type 3 clematis [prune to ground in Feb.] very vigorous, and you would
need to keep it away from the rose for the first couple of years, to allow any rose to get itself established, otherwise it will swamp it. Plant any clematis 3 foot away from the rose, but I would suggest on the opposite end to the roadside.
'Etoile Violette'.. same as above, a very vigorous clematis, in bloom June-Oct.
You said you liked orange and red roses. This orange one is 'Lady of Shalott', and is in bloom
from May to December. It will easily cover a 6 x 8 foot width. I keep mine pruned somewhat.
It's one of the best roses you can buy of this colour. The red rose is an obscure German bred, but there are plenty of climbing red roses on the market.
This is 'Blush Noisette', this blooms from May to December, strongly scented of clove spice and trouble free.. None of my roses need spraying. Easily trainable across a fence.
Wow, some really nice pics there. Love the orange rose you showed.
I think with all that you have said and the advantages you pointed out with the Climbing Iceberg and Vagabond (and I know as you say its my own choice) but I reckon that I will try that combination
I do love the colours and and I am glad now I asked first, for I wrongly assumed I may need a number of plants to begin with
Can only hope to end up with something as nice as your photos.
Thanks a lot for all the comments and advice today Marlorena, really appreciate it
Oh that's ok, thanks so much. I know it'll look just great when it's established.... best of luck with your choices...