- Creating a living wall with climbing roses
Why living walls matter for pollinators
A well-planted living wall isn’t just a joy to look at. It also provides an important food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Many climbing roses produce open, accessible blooms that make it easy for pollinators to collect nectar. By mixing in other flowering climbers, you can extend the season of interest, ensuring there is food available throughout the season. The shelter of a leafy wall also offers insects a safe resting place, encouraging biodiversity in even the smallest of gardens.
Where to create a living wall
A living wall can work almost anywhere. A sunny house wall, a garden fence, or even a freestanding trellis can become a backdrop of flowers. If you have a smaller space, growing roses upwards saves room while adding depth and interest. Even a balcony can host a climbing display, with pots at the base supporting a trellis.
Choosing your roses
English climbing and rambling roses are ideal for this. They have a natural grace, with flexible stems that are easy to train. For a soft, romantic look, try a pale pink climbing rose like The Generous Gardener® (Ausdrawn). For more colour, the warm apricot tones of Bathsheba® (Auschimbley) or the sunny yellow hues of The Pilgrim® (Auswalker) bring warmth and vibrancy.
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The Generous Gardener® (Ausdrawn) -
The Pilgrim® (Auswalker)
To create a lush, textured effect, mix your roses with other pollinator-friendly climbers.
• Clematis – With its delicate, star-like flowers, clematis weaves beautifully between rose stems. Choose varieties that flower at different times to extend the season.
• Sweet Peas – These bring a wild, cottage-garden feel, with their delicate tendrils and sweet fragrance.
• Star Jasmine – With its small, white, highly scented flowers, this climber complements roses without overpowering them.
Roses need a little help to climb. Fix horizontal wires across your wall or fence, spacing them about 30 centimetres apart. Gently tie in the stems as they grow, encouraging them to spread out horizontally rather than upwards too quickly. This helps create more flowers along the length of the plant rather than just at the top.
Learn how to train and tie roses here
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