Climbing Roses: How to Grow Them

Le climbing roses They are a type of rose characterized by long, flexible branches which, unlike bush roses, do not grow in a compact and "bushy" way, but tend to climb or spread along vertical or horizontal supports.

They're called climbing roses for convenience, to emphasize their vertical growth, which suggests they "climb." However, roses aren't actually true climbers because they don't have the proper structures (suckers and tendrils). Some varieties simply produce long branches (from 2 to 6 meters) that "walk" up anything that offers them support, perhaps with our help.

For these reasons, climbing roses are widely used in gardens, around gazebos, on balconies, and on terraces, to cover walls, roofs, and pergolas. They also create pleasant shaded areas, very colorful and vibrant when in bloom.

Index of topics

Exposure and climate

Depending on the species, they prefer temperate or cool climates. In any case, they prefer full sun: climbing roses require at least six hours of direct light per day. Leave enough space from other plants for air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Land and cultivation care

The ideal soil for roses is generally fresh, deep, and rich in organic matter. Fertilizer should be added when heavy pruning is performed. For the first few years, however, climbing roses should not be pruned; then, the branches that flowered the previous year should be shortened by a third. The plant's container should be at least 40-50 centimeters high.

Watering

Water generously, as they need to nourish their very long branches. In summer, water at least once a day.

When to plant

Climbing roses are planted in spring or autumn (the important thing is that the climate is mild), following this method:

Excavation: hole about 40-50 cm deep and 40 cm wide.
Fertilization: enrich the soil with compost or mature manure.
Plant: Place the rose with the base at ground level, covering the roots well.
Initial watering: abundant, then regular.

It's recommended to purchase fully developed seedlings and plant them from mid-October to mid-April. Flowering usually occurs in spring or summer. Repotting should be done after a short pruning in late winter.

When they bloom

Flowering depends on the variety of climbing rose.

1. Single flowering variety

They bloom once a year, usually between late spring and early summer (May to June in the Northern Hemisphere).
They produce abundant flowers all together, creating a spectacular effect, but the flowering lasts a relatively short time

2. Reblooming varieties

They bloom several times in the season: spring, summer and sometimes even autumn.
The flowers are not all together, but they form gradually along the branches.
They require a light pruning after each flowering to stimulate new buds.

A good idea to make a re-blooming climbing rose bloom again is to cut off the faded flowers and encourage the lateral branches to produce new buds.

The different varieties

There are several varieties of climbing roses , but the most beautiful are five.

Lady of Shalott. With beautiful orange-yellow flowers. With a sweet citrus scent.
Claire Martin. Red leaves, pink flowers, with yellow hues and highlights. A beautiful color combination.
Cocktail. Five-petalled flowers, tending towards red, shaded and white in the center.
Spiky, bright pink flowers. Very scenic.
Mr. Tillier. Pink-red flowers in a cluster. Very original.

Problems and remedies

The greatest enemy of climbing roses is rose canker, which manifests itself as necrotic areas first on the shoots and then on the stems. Another common disease is powdery mildew, caused by excessive humidity.

How to grow climbing roses