I would like to have a rose arch but our garden is very open and exposed to high winds. Can anyone recommend a climbing rose that could cope with these conditions please?
I think you need to look at the scaffolding first. A flimsy arch with the weight of a climbing rose on it is likely to come down in high winds. Look at Agriframes or Harrod Horticultural. I have an Agriframes Pergola made of 3 arches, been up 20 years, the nephews used it as a climbing frame when young. In high winds, with roses, clematis and a wisteria on it, it goes nowhere.
Some years back, not long after I moved to this very windy place, I went to RHS Rosemoor looking for some information and inspiration. I had a chat there with a man who was looking after the apple trees about rootstocks etc. One thing he said which may be helpful to you in your search, is that a lot of 'rose' family plants (apples being one) are tolerant of the wind but it reduces the vigour of their growth and makes them smaller than they would be if grown somewhere sheltered.
In your case, you need to go for a reasonably vigorous rambler - not a monster like Kiftsgate, perhaps, but one that would normally be suggested for a fence, rather than an arch, as it will grow smaller than 'the book' says. If you go for a nice well behaved one, it'll probably never get going enough.
I've got American Pillar growing like topsy on a very windy fence - definitely going to be too big for you. But I also had 'Warm Welcome' and it just shrivelled. I'd be tempted to try something along the lines of 'Sanders White' - although that's probably too thorny for an arch, that sort of size. I'd also go for a late bloomer, so there's less risk of young leaves and buds being burnt off by the very cold winds of March.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I don't know Belgium... I'm in East Anglia, England.. Fenland area, and you won't get much windier than that... the land is totally flat, no trees around here, so my only shelter is from properties and they create wind tunnels... it's also very dry,.. driest part of UK... That doesn't interfere with my rose choices.. so the main thing for you I think is your arch... it's essential to have it cemented into the ground, buried at least 1 foot.. 18 inches is better... leaving the height of the arch at the apex at least 7 foot and with a 4 foot minimum width to walk through... anything less isn't satisfactory..
My arch cost £50... not too much, and it fits those requirements... it didn't break my bank and it suits my purposes...
Choice of rose is personal, and is really dependent on what kind of arch you have and its size... do let us know on that..
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Ally, I think rugosa grows in a Bush habit not climbing, unless they have a climbing one now.
In your case, you need to go for a reasonably vigorous rambler - not a monster like Kiftsgate, perhaps, but one that would normally be suggested for a fence, rather than an arch, as it will grow smaller than 'the book' says. If you go for a nice well behaved one, it'll probably never get going enough.
I've got American Pillar growing like topsy on a very windy fence - definitely going to be too big for you. But I also had 'Warm Welcome' and it just shrivelled. I'd be tempted to try something along the lines of 'Sanders White' - although that's probably too thorny for an arch, that sort of size. I'd also go for a late bloomer, so there's less risk of young leaves and buds being burnt off by the very cold winds of March.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
That doesn't interfere with my rose choices.. so the main thing for you I think is your arch... it's essential to have it cemented into the ground, buried at least 1 foot.. 18 inches is better... leaving the height of the arch at the apex at least 7 foot and with a 4 foot minimum width to walk through... anything less isn't satisfactory..
My arch cost £50... not too much, and it fits those requirements... it didn't break my bank and it suits my purposes...
Choice of rose is personal, and is really dependent on what kind of arch you have and its size... do let us know on that..
We are across the channel right on the coast. It's close to Holland border so very flat here too.