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Spacing for Alberic Barbier

jbh78jbh78 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi. I’m going to plant alberic barbier roses along the front of my house either side of the door. I’ll be planting one on the left side (yellow marker). Do I plant 3 along the 4m wall (blue markers) or just 2 (green markers? (See picture)

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2021
    Hi @jbh78 and welcome to the forum 😊 

    R. Alberic barbier is a lovely rambler but huge …  it’s the rampant sort I would choose for covering an old ruin in a large garden, or training up and covering a large old tree. Just one will cover up to 8m in any direction and will need substantial trellising or sturdy supporting wires on that wall, and a lot of training and tieing in etc. 

    There are other roses with similar blooms that would be much more suitable for the front of your home. 
    I’m sure you’ll get lots of helpful suggestions from the very knowledgeable rose growers on here. 

    😊 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure it's suitable for any of those walls @jbh78 , for the reason @Dovefromabove gives.
    If @Marlorena is looking in, she'll advise on the best choices, and many others will also offer suitable types for your space. 
    It would be a shame to buy something and find it isn't right, and you don't get the best from it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jbh78jbh78 Posts: 2
    Thanks ok. What climbers or ramblers do people suggest? We’re in NZ and it is SW facing wall so mainly shaded.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    edited September 2021
    You could go for a smaller rambler like Ghislaine de Féligonde https://eu.davidaustinroses.com/products/ghislaine-de-feligonde or shrub roses. How tall is your wall? Looks maybe not tall enough for most climbers and ramblers.

    Some shrubs that may suit you are Penelope (can be grown as a shrub or a small climber, I've tried both), Tall Story, Pax and Litchfield Angel. Some of those are supplied by Peter Beales, but, as you are in NZ I don't know what your suppliers have. David Austin does large flowered scented shrubs, some like The Pilgrim, can be grown as shrubs or small climbers. The Pilgrim is OK with some shade as I had it at my last house.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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