Magnificent climbers - choosing and caring for climbing roses - Brief Article

Sunset, Feb, 2000 by Steven R. Lorton

Roses with glorious canopies need solid support and proper training

* IN THE SEEMINGLY DEMURE WORLD OF ROSES, THERE ARE TITANS: towering climbers that reach 20 to 35 feet, with an equal or wider spread, and form canopies big enough to hold a class reunion under. Just one of these plants may eventually bear hundreds, even thousands, of blossoms at the same time.

While it may look well mannered in a nursery container, one of these young roses can soon produce enough growth to flatten a wimpy trellis. An established plant can generate vegetation--canes, foliage, and flowers--weighing several hundred pounds. That's why a sturdy arbor is the safest stage for the biggest show-offs. Smaller roses that reach 7 to 12 feet can be trained on a well-anchored trellis or fence. Whatever support you use, it must allow free air circulation around plants to reduce the risk of diseases. February is a good month to select roses and plan a structure. In mild-winter areas along the Pacific Coast, you can plant bare-root roses this month (in cold-winter areas, hold off until April). It's best to install the support structure before you plant so you won't disturb the roses later.

Choice climbers for Western gardens

For mild-winter areas.

'Berries 'n' Cream': 10 to 12 feet; ruffled semidouble blossoms with swirls of rose pink and cream.

'C1. Cecile Brunner': 20 feet or more; small, soft pink sweetheart buds.

'Cl. First Prize': 12 feet or more; deep pink double blossoms; light fragrance.

'Kiftsgate': To 35 feet; small, white single flowers; sweet fragrance.

'Gardenia': To 20 feet: buff yellow buds open to creamy white blooms; light fragrance.

'Lace Cascade': 7 feet; cream buds open to large white blossoms; pleasant fragrance.

Lady Banks' (Rosa banksiae): 20 feet or more; 1-inch double flowers in white ('Alba Plena') or yellow ('Lutea').

'Lawrence Johnston': 20 feet; large yellow flowers; strong fragrance.

'Mermaid': 15 feet; large, bright yellow single flowers with amber stamens.

'Paul's Himalayan Musk': 30 feet; shell pink double flowers; rich fragrance.

'Rambling Rector': 20 feet; 'creamy white semidouble flowers; pungent fragrance.

'Treasure Trove': 35 feet; soft apricot blossoms; strong fragrance.

'Wedding Day': 30 feet or more; creamy white single flowers tinged with pink. For cold-winter areas. These roses are very hardy but don't reach titanic heights.

'Altissimo': 10 feet; blood red single blossoms with golden yellow stamens.

'Dream Weaver': 12 feet; deep coral buds open to ruffled, rich pink blossoms.

'Dublin Bay': 10 feet; deep red semidouble flowers.

'Madame Alfred Carriere': 15 to 20 feet; white double blossoms with pink blush at centers; musk fragrance.

'William Baffin': 12 feet; strawberry pink semidouble blooms with white centers and golden stamens.

Growing tips

SITE. Most roses bloom best when they get at least six hours of full sun every day. They prefer loose, well-drained soil.

CARE. Water plants deeply and regularly for the first two years. During the roses' first year, feed them lightly with a balanced liquid plant food (such as 12-12-12) in late May and again in mid-July, advises John Clements, owner of Heirloom Old Garden Roses in St. Paul, Oregon. The second year, he suggests, feed with 1/2 cup of a complete granular fertilizer around the base of the plant in late February.

TRAINING. Rose canes don't climb like vines, so you'll need to train them. As they grow, tie the canes to supports with sturdy twine, heavy-gauge plastic ties, or plastic-coated wire.

PRUNING. Since it takes plants several years to develop strong climbing canes, prune only to remove dead stems, weak growth, and faded flowers for the first two to three years after planting. Prune during the dormant season (November to February) in mild-winter areas, early spring (April) in cold-winter areas.