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Roses
Does anybody know how close I can plant climbing roses together? I am trying to squeeze a few more in my garden this year but uncertain of planting distances. When I look at Marlorena's beautiful roses they look quite close together, so I'm tempted to copy her example?
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They are mulched and fed every year. Manure and Top Rose in Spring after pruning, and another feed after first flowering for the two climbers.
...thank you Hilary, I'm delighted you like my roses.. I do have space limitations and combined with an excessive collecting habit, it results in close planting.. all rules are thrown out the window... not advice to follow for the average rose gardener though..
If you want a more professional look, then 6 - 8 feet apart is recommended and it does look better I have to say... or as Balgay Hill does, about 4 feet is sufficient if you're prepared for the crossing of canes, which on thorny roses can be tiresome - if you have one that's low thorn, it helps with this..
If you want to know what I do, well, I have some just 1 foot apart, planted in the same large hole - I can get away with this, by knowing the roses I'm planting, they should be planted at the same time, and have similar growth habits, so one does not overwhelm the other.. and the time to sort them out when they start to 'fight' for room, so to speak.. it's not a problem if you can cope with it.. a landscaper would be horrified but that's not what I'm into..
I've got groups of different climbing roses about 3 feet apart, and they all merge.. I like that look, but it's time consuming and troublesome when it comes to pruning..
Stick to what Balgay Hill does if you want to squeeze more in - good advice...
Also thanks Marlorena for your reply. I'm amazed you grow them so close together but they do look fantastic regardless. I know the sensible advice is probably the best but I do feel like going a little crazy in these trying times, so I guess the best place to go crazy is safely in the garden! I'm very tempted! Thanks again for both replies.