Climbing Roses - How to Grow

photo by morguefile

Climbing roses feature large fragrant flowers that will bloom continually from June until frost.  They grow quickly up a trellis support or a chain link fence and within three years the climbing rose will cover the trellis. The climbing rose bush will be a feature area in your yard that will be admired by all.

Photo by: Johnston The Gardeners Dirt ncsu-edu

Climbing roses are easy to grow provided that you plant them in full sun, rich well drained soil, hydration and fertilizer in the early spring.

Grow climbing roses on a garden arbor in a viewing area.  The roses vine will add curb appeal of your home.

When to plant climbing roses

The best time to plant is in early spring.  Plant a bare root climbing rose bush as soon as the soil is warm enough that you can dig up the soil.   It is best to plant directly after the threat of spring frost has past.

Where to plant roses

Roses need sun to grow so choose a garden site that has a minimum of six hours of direct dun.  The soil needs to be well drained and fertile.  If your soil is poor or medium amend the soil with compost or manure. 

Climbing roses put out trailing stems that can grow upward or they can grow across and be used as a ground cover.  Trailing rose stems with a profusion of flowers looks lovely when grown down a sunny slope.  

How to plant bare root roses

Soak the bare root rose bush over night in a bucket of water.  Fill the bucket so the root of the bush is emerged.  Loosen the soil with a shovel and work the soil so that the texture is fine and lofty.  Amend the soil with organic matter; compost or manure will enrich the soil.   

 Plant the rose bush so that the bud union is half buried in the soil.  If you are planting more than one climbing rose bush then allow a three food space between rose bushes.  Plant the climbing roses in front of a support.

Care for Roses

1. Water well after planting the rose bushes and then monitor the soil so that the soil stays evenly moist during the growing season.   If the soil should dry out then this will cause the roses to wilt and to have stress.  Plan to water the climbing roses deeply once a week; 1 inch of water is better than watering them lightly throughout the week.  The inch of water will get to the roots and will keep the rose bushes hydrated.  
2. If your summers are very hot then you will need to water the rose bushes more frequently.  Test the soil with your finger.  Stick your index finger into the upper soil and if the soil is dry at two to three inches then water the rose bushes.
3. Apply three inches organic mulch; shredded leaves, pine needles, grass clippings or chipped wood around the rose bush but do not set the mulch on the stems of the rose bush. The mulch is to help retain moisture and to deter weed growth.  
4. Fertilize when the leaf buds appear.  A time released fertilizer is preferred for growing climbing roses.
5. Prune climbing roses in the spring to remove dead or damaged branches. Otherwise let your rose bush mature and become established in your garden.  A climbing rose bush is considered mature in two years.

Learn more about pruning a climbing rose bush by viewing this YouTube video: