Monday, January 30, 2012

Do you have these Climbing Roses?

Spring is on it's way and the arbor in my rose garden is bare. I would like to plant climbing roses to dress it up. I am trying to decide between red for a classic look or yellow because it would be bright and different. If I go with the red I would choose Don Juan. Yellow would be Golden Showers or Scent From Above. If you have any of these I would appreciate any advice you may have, your experience with the varietys listed, if you think red or yellow would be better, or any other suggestions. I want a tea rose look in a full size flower and a strong scent is very important. I live in zone 6 and the area is in full sun. The arbor is a white vinyl arch with lattice sides. Thank you for all of your help! :)

Do you have these Climbing Roses?
We live in southern Arizona. We have 30' of Don Juan that has been in place now for 10 years. The trellis gets full sun from noon onward. The Don Juans are fantastic and just bloom like crazy. The trellis is covered and as such does a wonderful job of shading the house's entire west facing wall. The trellis is set out from the house far enough to give us a nice sidewalk entrance to the house, under the trellis and then onward to the back yard gate. The trellis rises vertical and at 6' high begins its arch. The arch has a diameter of 4' until it attaches to the roof eve. All that trellis space is Don Juan red . . . . . soooooooooooo nice! Each of those plants have a trunk at the bud union that is 8" diameter.
Reply:I think you are right to veer towards red climbers because in my experience yellow roses tend to be more prone to disease (I know this is a generalization but yellows have caused me more problems than reds).

One thing you need to check before purchase is expected growth.Varieties can markedly differ when you're talking climbers in the height they will reach and consider spread too.

Strong scents and full flowers suggest to me that you should look at the old fashioned Bourbon style.

At any rate check in your area for a specialist rose nursery( rather than go for what is currently available from the local garden centre).Every specialist rose grower has a catalogue which they will post out to you and you will find they have a much larger selection.

Also decide on your choice factoring in whether the variety is repeat flowering (some roses bloom twice in the summer others only once).

Given your site (full sun) you will be spoilt for choice.

Unless buying container grown roses (which can be planted all year round) if buying bare rooted plants get them in now before too long.

Good luck.I hope the end result looks great for you.


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