Add Beauty To Your Home With Climbing Roses

Angie Noack
Colorful climbing roses can add a dramatic effect to your home.
They're nice because you can wind them around a trellis, a
column, or even let them climb up the side of your home. It's
interesting to note, however, that many seasoned gardeners fear
climbing roses. This is likely because of the belief that
climbing roses can get damaged by cold weather and also because
they can take years to reach full maturity. Despite these facts,
there is a wide selection of climbing roses that can sustain
harsh weather.

The best time to plant any type of climbing rose is early
spring. Follow this advice and your roses will have about six
or seven months to become established before the cold sets in.
Before choosing climbing roses for your home, you should first
get acquainted with the three distinct categories of climbing
roses: ramblers, trailing roses, and true climbers.

The most intrusive climbing roses are the ramblers. These
exuberant roses can grow up to twenty feet in one season.
Although most of the roses from ramblers are quite small, many
of the newer varieties produce large roses. Unfortunately,
ramblers have a tendency to be susceptible to mildew.

If you're looking for a climbing rose that is tougher and less
prone to mildew and disease, your home might need the touch of
trailing roses. These climbers look great planted along walls.
It's suggested that you stake them because otherwise, the long
canes will grow along the ground instead of upright. Trailing
roses typically bloom approximately two to three inches in
diameter. Two of the more popular trailing roses are the
cultivars and Rosa Wichurana.

If you enjoy climbing roses with large flowers, true climbers
may be what you're looking for. These types of roses produce
flowers in large clusters. There are two categories of true
climbers: bush climbers, and climbing hybrid teas. Bush
climbers will continue to bloom throughout the season, while
climbing hybrid teas may only last for a few weeks out of the
season. The bush climber has more resistance to mildew and
disease than the climbing hybrid teas.

Planting your roses is an easy task. The first thing you'll
need to do is choose an area to dig a hole. Your hole should be
approximately one foot from your trellis or arch. Once you've
dug a hole, you'll also need organic matter. Well-rotted manure
or compost should be added to the soil. Next, carefully remove
the rose from its container. If you come across tangled outer
roots, gently untangle them with your fingers. Place your plant
in the hole and fill it in with any extra soil. Water it
thoroughly once you've planted it.

You should water your climbing roses at least once a week. The
soil should be saturated. Once your rose's canes have grown
long enough to reach the trellis or arch, tie the canes to the
structure. Unlike a vine, which is equipped with tendrils,
climbing roses have to be attached to a structure. You can tie
them with a soft cloth or string. The idea is to give the canes
enough room for growth and expansion. Be sure not to tie them
too tightly.

Choose the right roses for your home and watch them climb for
years to come!