Brian Wagner and Kelly Hillstone
A CLIMBING rose is a wonderful addition to any garden.
They put on a stunning show with an abundance of blooms that captures everyone’s attention.
Climbers are very versatile as they can cover any archway entrance, climb up trees, twine around a pergola or blocking an unsightly shed.
Nahema Climber
Nahema Climber from the Delbard collection is a very popular choice.
She is nearly thornless which makes her the perfect solution for high traffic areas including archways and entrances.
The pretty pale china blooms have a strong fruity fragrance that reaches heights of three metres.
Kiftsgate Climber
There may be a tree which could use some decoration.
Kiftsgate Climber and Meg Climber are perfectly designed with their hook thorns to climb and weave throughout tree limbs.
Kiftsgate is possibly the biggest rambler in the world with a record of the rose reaching three stories high and loaded with blooms.
Rambling roses do not need any attention – just let them go (make sure you have the space).
Bathsheba
Moderate climbers can give height variation in your garden when trained on pillars or tripods.
David Austin’s Bathsheba is a 2021 new release and has impressed with a stunning soft apricot-pink-yellow blended rose and disease resistant foliage.
Relax in your garden with the scent of myrrh and hints of honey and tea.
Florentina
For a contrast rose against a white cottage seek a strong colour such as Florentina who has a large rich red double flower against lush shiny green foliage.
Kordes roses are renowned for their incredible disease resistance.
Tips on pruning climbers:
Let the climber establish for the first three years and only prune thin, diseased and crossing branches.
While the canes are young, place horizontal along your trellis or wire and secure with soft twisty ties.
If you see a water shoot suddenly appear – do not remove as this is a critical part of your framework.
A water shoot is usually very thick, soft red wood and grows very quickly.
Check the growth if it starts at the crown of the rose.
If the growth comes from beneath the crown or from out of the ground, it will need to be removed, as it is likely root stock.
You need to slightly gouge the root stock branch from the trunk.
Climbers have bigger root systems that can reach three to four metres into the soil.
Make sure you deep water the rose so moisture reaches down to the roots.
Deep watering is leaving a sprinkler on the rose for three hours on established roses.
Fertilise monthly with a granule organic fertiliser or fish based fertiliser and water in well.
