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Growing English Roses as climbers
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Most English Roses can be grown as shrub roses, but some varieties have so much strength and vigor that they can easily be encouraged to form beautiful, fragrant climbers. Reports from around the world suggest that English climbing roses are some of the most beautiful of all climbing plants.
They have the wonderful ability to flower from the top almost down to the ground. Their full, multi-petalled blooms have a tendency to nod, which means that their beautiful forms can be appreciated in their full glory. They repeat flower over a long season and have wonderful fragrances, which makes them perfect for placing by an entrance or around a doorway where they can be enjoyed every day.
To grow an English Rose as a climber, simply fan out the stems and tie them loosely into place. The closer the stems are to horizontal, the more flowering shoots they will produce. Remove some of the shorter twiggier stems at the base of the plant. This will help to create a taller climber more quickly, by concentrating the plant's energy into the stronger stems.
Planting against a wall will help to encourage climbing. The roots should always be kept well away from the base of the wall as this is often very dry. Lean the stems in towards the wall, fan them out and tie in. English Climbing Roses are well-suited to growing on small, decorative obelisks, arches or pillars as the growth is not so vigorous that it will overwhelm the structure.
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Recommended varieties for climbing
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Magnificent clear pink blooms. Early summer flowering only, but makes a spectacular show. Strong myrrh scent. To 12 ft.
Buy Constance Spry
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Large, shallowly cupped blooms with a strong myrrh fragrance. Will climb up to 8ft.
Buy St Swithun
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Rosette shaped blooms with an outstanding fragrance. Will climb up to 8 ft. Zones 4 to 8.
Buy Gertrude Jekyll
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Pure yellow cups with a fresh tea rose scent. Superb climber reaching up to 12 ft.
Buy Graham Thomas
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Large, neat rosettes with an old rose fragrance. Almost thornless. Will climb to 8 ft.
Buy James Galway
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Delightful soft pink blooms with an old rose fragrance. Extremely healthy. Almost thornless. 10 - 12 ft.
Buy Mortimer Sackler
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A rose of great beauty with perfectly formed rosettes and a tea rose fragrance. Up to 8 ft.
Buy Teasing Georgia
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Full peachy-pink rosettes with a deliciously fruity fragrance. Will climb up to 8 ft.
Buy A Shropshire Lad
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Glorious soft yellow rosettes. Classic tea and myrrh fragrance. 8 to 10 ft.
Buy The Pilgrim
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