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Is one of my climbing roses dead?

COVIDgotmegardeningCOVIDgotmegardening Posts: 40
in Problem solving
I purchased 2 climbing roses last year to go in front of the bungalow. They settled in very well and produced good growth and tonnes of flowers. I’m late to garden this year after an accident left me immobile for a few months. Moving on when I could get outside and see what I’d been left with both plants had little white bugs over them. I blasted them with soapy water spray which actually worked. One is looking in good condition but it’s neighbour; even to my untrained eye looks decidedly dodgy. However the more experienced amongst you may confirm or offer advice. 

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It's planted very close to the wall. Does it get enough water there?

    I would prune off all the dead looking bits. It's not dead, there is still quite a bit of alive on it.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • COVIDgotmegardeningCOVIDgotmegardening Posts: 40
    Thank you. Yep it’s plenty of water it’s not a dry spot. I also weekly water as part of my routine. I’ll cut back further the dead bits, fingers crossed.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I hope you’re now well recovered from your accident and able to enjoy gardening again. 😊

    The soil by a wall is always drier than elsewhere because the foundations act like a sponge and soak up moisture (that’s why house walls have damp proof courses). Walls also create a ‘rain shadow’ effect. That area may well be drier beneath the surface than you realise. 

    I would give a rose, or any other climber planted closely against a wall like that, a bucket full of water trickled gently over the root area, at least twice a week. More often in warm spells. 

    It’s also worth while remembering that brickwork absorbs heat and acts like a radiator so it can cause the more fragile new growth to dry out … particularly when combined with insufficient water at the roots. 

    😊 

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





  • COVIDgotmegardeningCOVIDgotmegardening Posts: 40
    Thanks DFA, I’m going to increase the watering having cut back anything that looks suspect yesterday. Puzzling though as last year it was healthy as a healthy thing that’s healthy :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    We've had a very dry spring ... 

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





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