How to Shape Climbing Roses

Climbing roses come in different varieties, ranging from smaller plants that grow between 30-60 cm in height to larger ones reaching up to 4.5-6 meters or even taller. All of these types need to be trained, as they don’t naturally climb. To shape your climbing rose, tie the branches to a trellis and regularly trim them. If you haven't set up a trellis or planted the roses yet, it's crucial to choose the right spot and ensure everything is positioned properly.

Attach the rose branches to the trellis, but avoid bending them in the first year. When the rose branches have grown tall enough to reach the trellis, tie each branch to the frame using flexible materials like hosiery strips. Keep each branch naturally leaning against the trellis and secure them loosely with elastic ties, ensuring there is enough airflow to promote healthy growth.

Continue tying the rose branches to the trellis in 40 cm sections throughout the first year. Once each branch is secured to the trellis, continue this process until the plant grows another 40 cm. When you notice that a branch has extended about 40 cm from its initial tie, use a tape measure to ensure accuracy and tie each branch in the same way as before. Tie the rose branches loosely to the trellis without forcing them in any particular direction.

• Keep tying the branches every time they grow another 40 cm from the previous tie.

Train the climbing rose branches horizontally in the second year. After the rose plant has reached at least one year of age and begins to grow naturally along the trellis, select the 4 or 5 healthiest and most vigorous branches. Use hosiery strips to loosely tie these branches to the trellis, ensuring that they spread horizontally as much as possible.

• As the branches grow longer, continue tying each branch horizontally with equal spacing.
• Training the rose branches horizontally encourages side shoots to sprout from the main branches, resulting in more flowers.

Prune the plant every spring. When the rose plant is around 3 years old, begin cutting back old branches to encourage new growth. Each spring, after the flowering period, remove the ties from the older, faded, and woody branches, and use pruning shears to cut these branches back to the base. This will benefit the plant by improving air circulation and directing new shoots to grow.

• In addition to removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, you may need to remove any branches that are crossing each other and any shoots growing below the graft union.
• Do not prune the rose plant during the first three years.

Train the remaining healthy branches. After removing all unhealthy branches, it's best to leave about 3 or 4 of the healthiest branches. Once the annual pruning is complete, use hosiery strips to loosely tie the remaining branches to the trellis. As the rose branches grow, continue to tie each section horizontally and with equal spacing on the trellis.

Choose a sunny, sheltered location with good drainage. Roses thrive best when exposed to sunlight for up to 6 hours a day and are protected from harsh weather conditions like wind. They also need well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Select a spot in your garden that meets the rose's requirements for a climbing trellis.

Select a trellis for the plant. Choose a climbing frame or support structure that your rose can climb. The trellis should be wide and sturdy enough to support the rose in wet and windy conditions once it reaches its full height. Opt for a trellis that encourages horizontal growth, like a fence, rather than one that supports vertical growth, such as a single stake. Additionally, consider selecting a trellis that allows for easy pruning.

• Smaller climbing rose varieties need a trellis that's about 60 cm to 1.5 meters tall.
• Larger climbing rose varieties require bigger or more robust structures.
• Once the plant has grown, it will be difficult to replace the trellis without harming the plant. It's advisable to purchase or build a durable trellis that will last for decades.

Install the climbing trellis. After choosing the rose planting spot and trellis, it's important to securely anchor the trellis into the ground. Drive the trellis supports into the soil, adding stakes for extra stability. If you're placing the trellis against a wall, ensure that the base of the trellis is at least 30-60 cm away from the wall to allow proper air circulation and access for maintenance.

Dig a hole about 60 cm deep. Use a tape measure to mark a spot 45-75 cm away from the base of the trellis. Then, use a shovel to dig a hole that is 60 cm deep and twice the width of the rose root ball. This is where you will plant the rose.

Plant the graft union below the soil level in colder climates. If you're planting in a region with cold winters, place the rose plant in the hole so that the graft union (the bulge between the rootstock and the scion) is buried about 5-15 cm below the soil surface. Then, fill in the hole with soil. This will help protect the plant from frost damage.

Place the graft union above the soil in warmer climates. Roses are less likely to be damaged by frost in warmer climates. Therefore, you can leave the graft union slightly exposed. Fill the planting hole so that the graft union sits just above the soil surface.

Apply a mulch layer around the base. Spread bark chips or cocoa husks around the base of the rose, but be careful not to pile the mulch directly around the stem. This will help the plant retain moisture and prevent harmful weeds from growing around it.

Water the base of the plant thoroughly twice a week. Roses do better with less frequent watering rather than over-watering. Water the base of the rose deeply at least twice a week during the warm summer months, and up to twice a week during the cooler months of the year.

• Although roses are water-loving plants, they can die if overwatered. Remember that good drainage is crucial for healthy growth.

Wrap the trellis in burlap during the winter. Roses are vulnerable to damage during the winter if not protected from cold temperatures. To ensure the best chances for your rose to survive and thrive, wrap the trellis and plant with burlap and stuff straw inside for added insulation.