Rose Reader

these roses can be, they can also be the most chaotic if left to their own devices. They must be trained. They require diligence and persistence in order to beautifully embellish the structure that they adorn. Canes need to be tied, wound or woven onto the structure in a way that the structure always looks good. Those canes that are unruly or not trainable need to be removed thus thinning the rose so the structure is always tidy. For trellises, this is achieved by attaching the fanned out canes to the openwork. For pillar roses, you can wrap or braid it around the post. We recommend using stretch tie or jute string as they expand with the growth of the rose cane. Advantageously, manipulat- ing the canes encourages blooms. Climbers are breathtaking in ways shrubs can’t be, creating the romantic venues of the garden, dripping with drama, fragrance and emotion.

Tripods: Tripods are pillars with three posts positioned several feet apart at the base and tied together at the top. Plant roses in the middle and train them up all three sides. Or place one thornless climber like 'Lady Banks' or 'Zephirine Drouhin' on each post to create a hollow bow- er or cave as a play space.

Fences: Ugly chain link, chicken wire and barbed wire fences beg to be covered with climbing roses. Split rail, picket and ornamental fences can be accented with shrubs or man- nerly climbers. Pillars: Roses can be trained vertical- ly around posts of varying heights. A mailbox perched on a 4-foot tall post creates a small pillar. Six-to-8 foot cedar posts in a border will also support roses. Use chains or rope to connect pillars for a festooned ef- fect with draping roses. Rose canes can be trained in criss-cross fashion, vertically up the sides, or wrapped around posts; the more you manip- ulate canes, the more blooms they usually yield.

Pergolas: A series of interconnected arches covering a walkway or patio, a pergola can be used as an allay lead- ing to a feature like a seated area or a sculpture.The walkway can be brick, stone or even grass. Plant just one variety of rose along the sides and al- low it to cover the pergola to give the structure a sense of continuity. Trellises: Form screens or create large, colorful, single-planed displays with trellises. They provide privacy from neighbors along the driveway or between houses as well as hide unsightly air conditioners, television discs and garbage cans. They're also useful as barriers or dividers, defin- ing the space between a swimming pool and a patio, for example. Trel- lises can require rigorous upkeep if they're landscape features.

Vertical Supports However a climbing rose may be dis- played; arches, pillars, trellises, fenc- es, pergolas or gazebos, it will add height, depth and drama to the gar- den as well as soften the hard angles of walls and buildings. Arches: Connecting garden rooms or defining entrances, arbors cover walkways from one side to the other, providing clear passage underneath. Roses can be trained from one or both sides; total overhead cover- age creates a dramatic presentation.

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