climbing rose
I have an archway which I'd like to grow a climbing or rambling rose over. It;s in a sunny position with clay soil, only problem is that there are some old concrete footings about 30-40cm away and about 40-50cm below the ground which I think would restrict the root run. I can't remove the concrete as it would just be a huge job involving digging up a path and other established plants.
I wondered about choosing a very vigorous rose like Rambling Rector which would normally be too vigorous for a 7.5ft tall archway but perhaps the root restrictions would make it less so? Or should I just go for one appropriate to the situation (I was thinking of Francis E Lester) & just give it lots of care and attention?
Or maybe I should just go for a different plant, but struggling to come up with any ideas where the root restrictions wouldn't be a problem - I want a shrub or perennial flowering climber.
I hope someone can give me some advice!
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Go for the appropriate one, ramblers are really hard to restrict.....this is the bitter voice of experience! At best you will be forever cutting back and binding up, at worst it will take over while ypur back is turned!
The good news is there are so many to choose from, you will easily find one you love
Any idea of the flower colour you would like?
That sounds like good advice - thank you. I'd like a single, scented rose, any colour except red. Any suggestions much appreciated!
David Austin have two repeat flwoering ramblers which may suit you.
Their own Malvern Hills is a soft yellow, fading to cream and sweetly perfumed and they also stock Phylis Bide which repeats. They also have some short climbers in their English Rose collection so you could also look ath those for a wider colour choice with perfume and repeat flowering..
You could make up for the lack of rrot run by making a slighty raised bed with either timber or stone edges and applying generous mulches of well rotted garden compost or manure every spring and some specialist rose fertiliser.
Do check out the range Obelixx has reccomended, i have a soft spot for david austin roses, im afraid i usually go for the very frilly ones, so dont really have any practical reccomendations for you, however, their website is fab, in the menu on the left, select search for bare root roses, you will then get options to select flower type, colour etc. Ive got quite a few now and have never been dissapointed
There was a rose thread with some wonderful pictures, do try and find it, im afraid my silly phone wont allow me to search!
I have a beautiful Pierre de Ronsard, growing on the garage wall in clay soil. It doesn't seem to mind the concrete foundations at all and flowers all summer. It's a creamy white outside petal shading through palest pink to deep pink in the heart.
I also love climbing Iceberg for its pure white flowers. The difficulty is choosing!