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Rose - shortish climber - for a north facing wall, sandy, well-drained soil, mild climate

clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
in Plants
I am hoping to find your suggestions for a rose.  I should add that there is moderate rain and wind, with wind coming from the south-west, so the rose would be in the lee of the wind to begin with. The wall is about 7 foot. The wall has some climbers that the rose could lean into in time. I could also add an arch or obelisk.  I will build-up the naturally sandy, well-drained soil with compost and well-rotted manure and will be able to water the rose. I don't mind the colour but it needs to be scented. Single or double flowers are preferred. What would you suggest please?

I might also ask on the rose thread, but will leave it here for now!
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  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @clematisdorset A favourite of mine is Warm Welcome only slightly scented.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Roses really prefer a good heavy clay to grow well. You will need to bulk up your soil a lot to keep one happy.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @clematisdorset. Have a look at DA's Claire Austin which can be grown/trained as a shortish climber. It's a white with a lemony centre, incurved petals and grows well for me on thinnish pliable canes. The flowers tend to droop so suited for a climber where you can stand underneath to appreciate the blooms. Has a gorgeous lemony perfume as well and doesn't seem to suffer much blackspot here at least.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Thank you everyone, I have had a look at them all. They are all gorgeous. Maybe I had better look at preparing the ground better first.

    I had not heard of Rosa Emily Gray, @pansyface, but a lovely soft, warm colour and the scent sounds wonderful. It is a rambler, but that could work.

    I had heard of Rosa Warm Welcome. @GardenerSuze, but had forgotten about it and it would fit the bill, apart from maybe a weak scent, but the vibrant colour and repeat-performing ability would be excellent.

    I have also heard of Rosa Claire Austin, @Lizzie27, but had not realised it may be suited to poorer soils. It sounds dreamy, and the lack of blackspot you have encountered is very encouraging. Standing under a scented rose is just magical - and creamy  or paler colours do work well when facing a northerly direction don't they.

    You have given me pause, @Joyce Goldenlily, to maybe try to do some more work on the soil first. I know many of the rosarians on here do grow on fertile and clay soils, and I am never going to have a garden like that, but it sounds as though there could be suitable roses, if not so many.

    I need to think this out a bit more, and decide on when I can put in a supporting structure (before the rose is planted is probably the best order to do it). 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Just a quick update. I have ordered one rose from these recommendations so far and it is @pansyface ' excellent Rosa Emily Gray. I hope to take good care of this rose and hope to show you all its blooms this summer. ☺️
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Rosa Emily Gray is once flowering (not repeating). There are ramblers out there that repeat all summer. But maybe repeating is not a priority.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Hopefully someone on the Rose Thread will see this and add their thoughts. Lots of experts including @Marlorena
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Thanks @fire. Do you have any in mind? My other roses are repeaters, so I was not troubled about it being a once flowering rambler. I intend to plant it in the south west corner, for it to grow to the south east direction. I may well plant more roses (it will be a new area of my garden). 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I was just checking that you knew it was a once flowering type. It looks lovely. 

    For climbers: Claire Austin (as mentioned above) might suit well - healthy, strong fragrance, ok for some shade. It depends if you like the highly cupped blooms.


    Wollerton Old Hall is similar in profile.



  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Thanks @Fire and I admit I adore Wollerton Hall - a friend had it in a previous garden. Are you thinking that pale roses would do better on a north facing wall? 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
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