rose on a pergola

lavender4

I have a large pergola and would like to grow a rose (or two) over it.
I have tried to grow climbing roses many times in the past and although they are supposed to be easy, I have never had much success. Although I have trained and tied them in as instructed, they have always had only a few weedy flowers at the tips and all woody growth for the bottom 5 foot.
Would I have more success with a rambling rose this time? What sort should I get if I want repeat flowering? Or should I give up the idea of a rose?

Obelixx

Rambling roses are easier to train than climbers as their stems are less stiff.  The David Austin website lists a few now that repeat flower so go and have a nosy there.   Roses are hungry plants so make sure you prepare the soil well and plant the roses at the correct depth then water well.  A generous dollop of slow release fertiliser every spring will help, as will correct pruning.  

Littlegrower

Here's a link for a discount code for David Austin 

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1025168/david-austin-roses-spring-discount

I just ordered a rose and used the code

valerieroberts

Hello laveder, I have a rambling rose under my pergola (car port really) fills the space but it only has one good show with a few blooms later,now has a good scent.  it’s three years old. Beales roses city of York. Another rambler I think it’s called Pink Rambler flowers for a long time. Marelena has good Know how for more ideas.

Marlorena

^ super rose Valerie… and beautifully trained... one we don't see often enough...

Pete.8

That does look lovely, you've certainly done that rose proud!

But even if you're idle and don't bother pruning ramblers at all, they still give a great display. I have an L shaped pergola about 20ft x 15ft and had 2 x Felicite Perpetue at the front and a Frances Lester at the back. I only ever pruned bits hanging down inside the pergola - as you can probably tell

Marlorena

I've probably said it before but,.. stunning ! is all I can say about that...   I wish I had room for roses of that size..   and such interesting and varied companion plantings all around there...

Pete.8

Thank you again Marlorena
As I had mentioned in a previous post, the roses sadly had to go. I gave the soil a break for 2 years and have replanted with 3 The Garland -  I'll try and hold back and take advice you gave elsewhere to remove the blooms for the first year - I may leave one..

Marlorena

@Pete.8    yes I remember you saying... such a shame but it happens..

Just to say though, that if your 'The Garland' roses are grafted, and I would expect them to be unless you've grown from cuttings?, then there is no need to disbud at all... this disbudding only applies to roses grown on their own roots really, for the first year and those of weaker slower growth, but you haven't got to even then.. depends how vigorous they are, and The Garland as you know, is not short on vigour..

Do show photos when you can... 

Pete.8

Oooooh good thanks Marlorena
They're from David Austin so I expect they are grafted. I'm sure I would have remembered if I saw no graft when I planted them.
They're only about 10" atm but plenty of bright fresh green foliage has appeared.
The pergola does look very bare from the house now, but I grow runner beans all along the back which looks very attractive in the summer

Marlorena

Oh yes they're grafted... I hope you get some flowers this year, even just a few would be nice... it's not one I've had before, so I should very much like to see a close up when ready, to compare with a photo I have from another garden... this one... I'm not certain it's The Garland, and the gardener didn't know...  but I think it might be..