Climbers: roses

If you're looking for a vertical display of roses in the garden you have two options: climbers or ramblers

Rambling rose ‘Ethel’ produces small clusters of creamy white to pink blooms

'Smaller climbers suit a garden arch or house wall, where they flower more profusely if the stems can be trained horizontally.'

Roses When it comes to choosing roses to bring height to the garden there are two options – climbers or ramblers. Climbing roses vary in height and vigour, but are normally quite stiff plants compared to other climbers. Flowers will also vary in size, scent and colour, so it’s worth researching books and nursery lists for a rose to fit your requirements. Smaller climbers suit a garden arch or house wall, where they flower more profusely if the stems can be trained horizontally, but all stems will need to be tied to a firm support. Annual pruning of side shoots encourages flowering. More vigorous forms such as ‘Kiftsgate’ can be trained into sturdy trees and left unpruned.

Ramblers such as ‘Ethel’ (pictured) often have more lax stems and, unlike many climbers, will only flower once, but the smaller flowers are held in clusters that appear over a long period through summer. The lax growth can be trained on fences, arches or into trees.

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