I have a steep bank in my garden with a fence on top, I would like to plant some roses and other climbing plants angled towards this fence, how do I go about planting depth?, the root balls obviously can not be planted level
It would be best to start with small, young plants if possible, then they will orient themselves as they grow, or can be tied in more easily. (take it you have crampons)
Not so easy for roses. There is some debate whether they should be planted with the graft above or below ground. I guess you could do both at once. Align the plant the way that best fits with where you want it to go and plant the rootball deep enough to cover all the roots and apply extra mulch on the lower side for more protection. If you have any available stones you could use some to support the soil while the plants get established, either to keep soil from burying the upper stems too deeply, or to prevent it getting washed away on the downhill side.
You will need to think about suitable planting to prevent erosion in any case. Plants that run and root themselves as they go can be useful here, though often a nuisance elsewhere. Also deep rooted plants like tree lupins, or ground cover shrubs. I have a very steep bank, almost unclimbable, with Rosa 'Max Graaf' covering a large part of it and Cotoneaster Horizonalis on another part. It looks lovely in early summer and looks after itself. You can also plant clematis at the top to trail down or scramble horizontally over other shrubs to extend the flowering period.
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It would be best to start with small, young plants if possible, then they will orient themselves as they grow, or can be tied in more easily. (take it you have crampons
)
Not so easy for roses. There is some debate whether they should be planted with the graft above or below ground. I guess you could do both at once
. Align the plant the way that best fits with where you want it to go and plant the rootball deep enough to cover all the roots and apply extra mulch on the lower side for more protection. If you have any available stones you could use some to support the soil while the plants get established, either to keep soil from burying the upper stems too deeply, or to prevent it getting washed away on the downhill side.
You will need to think about suitable planting to prevent erosion in any case. Plants that run and root themselves as they go can be useful here, though often a nuisance elsewhere. Also deep rooted plants like tree lupins, or ground cover shrubs. I have a very steep bank, almost unclimbable, with Rosa 'Max Graaf' covering a large part of it and Cotoneaster Horizonalis on another part. It looks lovely in early summer and looks after itself. You can also plant clematis at the top to trail down or scramble horizontally over other shrubs to extend the flowering period.