Climbing Rose Trellis – Design Ideas And Practical Info

by Paul Ciocoiu · May 30, 2016

If the space in the garden is small, then follow the same rule which pays off in interior design as well, namely expand vertically to let vegetation grow lavishly. There are a lot of means available to do this and turn your garden into an abundant space bursting with vitality. Therefore, we will today take a close look at some climbing rose trellis, besides some brief practical information that will be of great help.

Experts say roses produce more flowers when the structural canes grow horizontally, such as along a fence, than when grown vertically, as on a rose tower, in this last case the whole weight pressing on the stem, preventing full growth. When selecting a trellis, also consider ease of access for pruning and the trellis’ ability to hold the weight of a full grown rose in wet and windy weather.

When installing the trellis, be sure the support is firmly anchored in the ground and strong enough for the mature weight of the plants. If growing against a building, position the trellis a few feet from the wall to allow for air circulation and maintenance. Place it at right angles to the prevailing wind or in a sheltered spot in very windy areas.

Make sure to place the trellis about 15 to 30 cm away from the roses. You can often install the trellis simply by pushing its legs about 10 cm into the ground. If the soil is hard, dig a hole for each leg of the trellis instead. Pack soil back into the holes firmly to keep the trellis anchored.

Climbing rose trellis – let the plant grow freely for 2-3 years

The smaller stems that carry the flowers are called rose canes. Attach these canes to the trellis as the rose bush grows tall enough to reach the bars. Choose the strongest canes and loosely tie them to the trellis using stretchy cloth, such as nylon or pantyhose. Try to keep the canes spaced evenly apart, gently bending the new canes outward to cover the trellis.

Important to know – avoid major pruning for several years. Other than removing dead branches, leave the rose shrub alone for two or three years. After that time, you can begin pruning side shoots down to two or three buds every winter, when the plant is dormant.

Finally, here are some climbing rose trellis ideas. The most visual idea is installing such a trellis in the middle of the garden, creating some sort of a colorful and fragrant screen that can also ensure some intimacy.