Climbing Roses
Rosa
Rose arch
Hildesheim / Niedersachsen: The over 1000year old rose.
Climbing roses on vertical wire ropes
Kletterrose an Drahtseilen
Climbing roses on an old wooden trellis
Climbing roses on stainless steel wires, Project by FassadenGrün 2004
Standard roses can also decorate a façade
Many of the old, once-flowering species produce magnificent clusters of rosehips in autumn.
Climbing Roses are absolutley perfect for façade greening! Apart from their greenery, they also produce delightful flowers, and above all, they don't cause damages to buildings.
Requirements
Sunny Position, however, hot (south-facing) walls are not tolerated by species susceptible to mildew (blight). If necessary can be grown in semi-shade and in areas without direct sun, but which receive full daylight (such as an enclosed courtyard). Deep, sandy-clayey soil, not too moist but not too dry, some humus but not too much! Fertilise with potash until early summer, also with wood ash.
Growth and Leaves
Scrambler with thorns. Some species have the tendency to become bare in the lower parts. For small trellises, the (more robust) shrub- and carpet roses can be used. Foliage lasts from May to October, with many species until March.
Flower and Fruit
Flowers often in clusters at the end of the yearly new growth in white, pink or red depending on species, also yellow and apricot. Depending on species, will flower once, several times or (almost) continuously throughout the season. Often produces green or red rosehips.
Growth Support Systems
Rods, meshes, nets etc. For suitable growth support systems see below. Medium; for large areas and susceptible species rather Heavy Duty Growth Support Systems. Important for wall espaliers: the sturdy main stems (ie the actual frame of the plant) are tied to the outside of the trellis. Yearly shoots which will bear the flowers and are later cut off, can go to the back of the trellis.
Additional information: 14. Rose Day
Pruning
Training as per graphic illustration below right, but varies for the different growth rates and structures of the plants. For small trellises, yearly prune in winter almost to the ground. For larger espaliers it is important to train the plant to a well-formed branch structure. When cutting back entire stems, a short stump is always left. Dead-heading (cutting off the spent flowers) encourages new flowers and extends the blossoming period.
Dornburger Castles / Thüringen, old espalier wall for climbing roses
Very rare are the violet flowering species, here probably “Violet Blue”
Climbing rose with winter foliage
Bad Schandau / Sachsen: Well structured climbing rose, with moderate to vigorous growth habit, in winter.
Different growth habits: left a species with thin, flexible stems (rambling type); right a stiff, vertical and very vigorous growth habit. Winter image.
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White climbing rose on wire ropes fixed close to the wall. Such vigorous roses develop a foliage wall up to 50cm thick, in which case the distance of the wire brackets to the wall becomes less important. |
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Kletterrosen an einem alten Holzspalier |
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Climbing roses on tall climbing posts |
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Fungus-resistant ADR-climbing rose "Rotfassade", a species with particularly long-lasting foliage |
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The refined English way: Roses on cast-iron post |
