How long to establish a Rambling Rose?
Hi everyone,
We're considering the idea of a rambling rose to add screening along one of our fence sides. The particular one I'm interested in is the Frances E. Lester as it's got single flowers and has hips, both of which I'm assuming are good for wildlife.
Following a tree being removed we're now a little overlooked in to our living room from houses at the back. So we'd like some nice climbers along the fence, and I am quite taken with the idea of a rambling rose. It's about 6 x 6 foot fence panels we'd like it to run along so I don't know if one plant would be sufficient or if we'd need more. What I can't seem to find out is how long it takes them to turn in to the lovely mass of leaves and flowers? I appreciate that they are deciduous but figure that once it's established we'll have the branches as screening too.
Is it right that the birds quite like the hips? And would they be able to shelter in a rose like this?
Thanks for any help,
Lucid 
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I have a Frances E Lester - a gorgeous thing - this will be it's third summer since planting - it's taken quite a little while to get going but it's in a very inhospitable position, in shade in a very dry bed under a mature ash tree - I put its slow growth down to it working hard to get its roots established - however this spring it really looks as if it's putting on a fair bit of top growth.
I'm sure if it were in a better situation with some tlc it would be much bigger by now.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lucid, roses take a year to fully establish in my experience, even ramblers. I've rarely seen a rose give of it's best till the second year. However to give it it's best possible chance in the first year, get a potted rose, plant using rootgrow sprinkled all over the roots and in the planting hole. The union should be planted below soil level. Add bonemeal and plenty of well rotted compost or manure, then water it in and puddle it. Puddling is where you leave a depression around the rose, and don't fill it it till it's been there for a year. Reason being roses need plenty of water in their first year. Water it weekly with a full watering can (2gals), don't rely on the weather to do the job for you till it gets to winter. Then mulch it heavily, at least 2 inches deep. The following spring, feed it with a rose feed, mulch again carry out any pruning necessary and stand back. It should start to give you the display your'e looking for.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I will take on your excellent advice and tips.
Lucid