Help with pot size for a rose

gilla.walmsley · 30 January

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am planning to grow a rose and a couple of other climbers up the front of my porch (see pics below - the pot will go by the door roughly in front of the post box, which will be moved, and grow in the direction of the sun which is to the right as you look at these pics).

I need to get the pot bought soon before the bare root rose and David Austin have recommended the minimum size would be 60 x 60cm. However what I'm struggling to understand is that most plant pots are tapered, with the widest part at the top and then narrower at the bottom. And the diameter size listed is always the largest top part. Do you think the plant pot would need to be 60cm at the base (in which case probably something like 80-100cm at the top)? If so that's going to be a gigantic diameter and I don't think it will fit in the space! Or could I get away with 60cm at the top and less (I assume about 40cm) at the base? Equally I'm not sure if depth is more important than width when it comes to roses - so perhaps I should go for something taller with less then 60cm width at the bottom, for example. Any advice gratefully received!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/xe/nn2s538z5rtv.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/7u/nmm9vynnw21u.jpg

debs64 · 30 January

Could you source a wooden half barrel? Try facebook marketplace? I grow roses in them and do really well.

Ceres · 30 January

As I understand it, the diameter of a pot refers to the top edge. Have you thought about getting a square pot? It would fit in well with the lines of the house, the pavers, and the brick wall. Very geometric.

Fire · 30 January

Tapered shapes certainly hold a lot less soil (re roots and water) than straight edged. Whatever you go for, don't choose an urn shape with an inward curving top as you may never be able to get the plant out again.

gilla.walmsley · 30 January

@Fire I have made that mistake too many times in the past, only to spend half a day swearing and wrestling the plant out of its pot

@Ceres yes I thought that about a square pot too... the problem is I measured and a 60cm wide pot would sit over half way across the right hand patio tile, so the area to walk past would be very narrow. What I really need is the steps widening, but that seems a bit extreme just to be able to grow a rose across the porch

It may end up being the only solution though! @debs64 I think I'd face the same issue with half a wooden barrel, it would just take up too much room width-ways.

The only other idea I had was removing that patio stone entirely - not sure what's underneath, but breaking it all up so that I could fill it with soil and plant the rose in it and let the roots go through to the ground underneath? Would that look strange though, to have it inset?

Busy-Lizzie · 30 January

This rose "The Pilgrim" is growing in a pot 60cm wide at the top and 60cm tall, maybe slightly taller. This is 2018. I moved house early 2021 so I gave it to my daughter in 2020 having got it out of the pot, too heavy to transport. The roots filled the whole pot. It was there for 8 years, I think, although it did pretty well, it was happy to be planted in the ground eventually. It is now growing up daughter's house in the ground. In the pot it needed a lot of feeding and watering.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/kj/0zgu11booqhq.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/mt/iwfbxxq5o291.jpg

Busy-Lizzie · 30 January

Just remembered, I posted on your previous thread! Didn't send a photo though and I think you wanted a rose of a brighter colour. Have a look at Rambling Rosie, red and not too big for a pot.

gilla.walmsley · 30 January

Thank you @Busy-Lizzie this is really helpful to see photos of how big it's grown for the size pot it's in. It looks like a decent amount of growth for the size of the pot and certainly all I would need (bearing in mind I plan on having a mixture of things in pots, as we spoke about before, rather than relying on one plant to be massive). A good reminder about feeding and watering though. I suppose there is no harm in trying it out in a pot of a similar size to your photo and if it's really not looking happy, then I can look into alternative solutions later like widening the steps or somehow removing a paving stone and insetting the rose into the ground.

Thank you, that's been really helpful to seal the deal in my mind

Busy-Lizzie · 30 January

I'm glad that helped.

clematisdorset · 30 January

I wanted to add that my roses seem to do better in tubs than in the ground. I never let them dry out. I have used different pot sizes. The smallest I have kept a shrub rose in long term has been a tub with a diameter of 43cm and a depth of 36cm, but the bigger the better so I would not recommend a smaller size, just wanted to say it is possible but not really ideal.

The link here shows the sizes of several tubs of 35, 50 & 70 litres. I have tried all sizes. Hopefully you can find something more decorative. I used about 50% multipurpose compost and 50% John Innes no 3 potting mix, with additional amendments through the the growing season. (Feed and composted manure mixed in).

https://www.scotplantsdirect.co.uk/growing-needs/containers-baskets/large-plant-pots

Wild_Violet · 31 January

Just to add that you don’t have to put your rose in the biggest pot straight away. I’m sure I read here that there is merit in moving roses to larger pots as the plant grows.

I wouldn’t put other climbers in the same pot as a rose. Clematis always seem to need a large pot to themselves, if not planted in the ground.

Tapered pots can look more elegant but it should be possible to find pots that go straight up and down.

Good luck with your project - your white wall will make a lovely backdrop for the plants 🌹

Help with pot size for a rose

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