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Rambling Rector versus Snow Goose

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants
I would like a rose to grow up this tree trunk which is approx 10 - 12 foot tall (it was a willow until late this afternoon).  The tree stump is on our lawn, which is fairly heavy soil with moss and grass among other things growing quite freely.  It is never actually water logged but always quite damp in winter.  There is now plenty of light.  In your opinion which would be the better rose to plant, or should I try something else?  I have read that R.R. only flowers once a year for a short period of time, so would the Snow Goose be a better plant for colour?
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  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I would imagine there is a very good chance it will resprout and happy all grow back.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes ... I think you’ve simply pollarded that willow ... it’ll be a mass of new shoots and leaves next year. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Agree.  Just a pollarded willow that will grow a new hair style next spring.

    As for the roses, Rambling Rector gets huge, far too big for that tree stump and yes, it does only flower once and then produces hips.   Have a look at the DA site for repeat flowering rambling roses - assuming you want to plant one elsewhere - and I'm sure Peter Beale and Harkness have some too.  
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited November 2018
    We recently got Snow goose it is still a young plant. It repeats nicely, but though sold as a rambler I get the feeling it is more a lax shrub that a climbing type rambler. Sorry to Mr Austin,  not being rude, as I like it.
    Its height is stated as eight feet, so nice and short which is what I wanted. Whether it will make more or stay there I do not know.
    Also relatively thornless.  But it might be what you want when fully grown.
    Edit. I just looked it up and it is only recommended for a sunny site, in good conditions on the DA site.

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Thanks for your input Rubytoo, I will look up the DA site as suggested, they may give me more information regarding soil, location, height and flowering etc.

    Yes, you are right the tree has been pollarded.  We intend to return the bird box onto the top of the trunk later this week.  We have planted 7 new trees this year and counting this willow we have removed/died 3 trees, so feel we are justified in taking this down as there were so many trees vying for space and the poor lawn was a mix of moss, ivy and weed with very little grass managing to survive.  The tree was 30 + feet tall with many large branches and plenty of greenery.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I would want to dig a hole about a couple of feet from the trunk, just to make sure I could plant something there... then if found to be suitable, I would be wanting something more exotic than the 2 roses you've mentioned, because anyone here in England can grow those roses, but on Guernsey, which I think is virtually frost free in winter?.. gives you scope to grow more types of roses that we would struggle with.. such as the glorious 'Lamarque'...'Marechel Niel'.. or 'Devoniensis'... however if you're leaving the tree to grow back again, then 'Mme. Alfred Carrier' would be another to consider... or 'Deprez a Fleur Jaune'...  all truly greats among repeat flowering climbing roses...

    best of luck with whatever you choose to do there...
    East Anglia, England
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Don't put the bird box on top!  It will be "uplifted" when the thing sprouts again in spring.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Thanks for all the rose suggestions Marlorena - I have no idea on climbing roses apart from the lovely pink rambling rose that my mother planted over 60 years ago and is still surviving in the old home garden that I often pass by.  We have a Masquerade rose here which does well in a different part of the garden.  Tbh I am not sure if I need a rambling or climbing rose for this position.
    We will be siting the bird box in it's original position Obelixx, approx three quarters up the tree trunk, the original holes for the nails are still visible to us.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Still not chosen the climber for this tree, however we have returned the bird box to it's original position, we have had blue tits nesting in here previously. The area is so much lighter now the tree branches have been removed, although I did grieve over it's demise.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's a willow so very unlikely to be dead yet.  Just sleeping.  Have you never noticed how much a pollarded willow grows in just one year?

    Scroll down here to see - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollarding

    The OH for a friend of mine in Belgium decided to cut back their weeping willow one year and did pretty much what you have done.   The tree responded by growing like topsy and thence needed cutting back every year or two.  I suspect that if you really want to maintain the new light levels you need to take the entire trunk down and grind the roots too - unless you plan on taking up willow weaving.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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