Charmers, Thugs, and Superheroes Part III: Roses with Long Canes Provide Vertical Interest in Jane’s Garden

Shrub roses with long canes–Westerland®, Autumn Sunset®, ‘Sally Holmes’–are  among the best to train as climbers.  On trellis, fence, or roof in Jane’s garden the roses easily reach 10,’ far more compact and manageable than rampant climbers like ‘New Dawn’ at 15-20.’  Although undoubtedly charmers, Westerland® and its sport, Autumn Sunset®, are also true thugs, producing masses of long, thick, thorn-studded canes, while ‘Sally Holmes’ simply charms. Rambler ‘Francis E. Lester’ is the superhero of Jane’s garden, scrambling 25′ into a stand of plum trees.

Rosa Westerland®

Jane planted Westerland® to grow on a trellis at one end of her back porch. Of course, within about three years the canes outstripped the trellis,  growing up and over the porch roof, seeking light.

Photo by Jane Bodine

Rosa Westerland before late winter pruning.

I helped Jane train the canes onto the roof by bending them horizontally, tying them on to nails hammered into the beam, and reducing side shoots to 10.”  Working with climbers is nasty; they bite, but when they burst into bloom, all is forgiven. Jane enjoys an abundance of fragrant, orange blooms from her window and from her porch.

Rosa Westerland from Jane’s window. Photo by Jane Bodine.

Photo by Jane Bodine

Photo by Jane Bodine

Luscious, orange blooms of Westerland® are reliably recurrent.  Be sure to deadhead spent flowers for an effective repeat show through summer and into autumn.

Rosa Autumn Sunset®

Photo by Jane Bodine

Rosa Autumn Sunset®, a golden flowered sport of Westerland®, is the best hardy, golden-yellow climber.  Apricot buds open to apricot-golden blooms, fading to golden-yellow, exuding a rich, fruity fragrance.  In an effort to spread out some of the climber’s vigorous canes, which are overtaking their trellis, Jane and I threaded a few canes into her dwarf Wisteria trained on the brick wall at the end of her garden.  The fabulous mingling of soft purple Wisteria panicles and apricot-golden bud and bloom of Autumn Sunset® is a happy accident this year because the rose usually blooms later than the Wisteria. 

Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’

Photo by Jane Bodine

‘Sally Holmes’ is one of Jane’s favorite roses.  Trained as a climber, it shares a fence with Clematis henryi.  Apricot buds and buff, single rose blooms combine subtly with ivory flowers of Clematis henryi to provide a unique floral display in a lightly shaded part of Jane’s. garden.  ‘Sally Holmes’  tolerates very light shade, preferably afternoon.

Clematis henryi and Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’            Photo by Jane Bodine

Rosa ‘Francis E. Lester’ Rambler

Photo by Jane Bodine

Rambler ‘Francis E. Lester’ scales a stand of tall plum trees with ease.  The superhero’s  vigorous canes scramble up 20-25,’ leaping toward the light.  In late spring the rambler bursts into bloom, smothered in sprays of delicate apple blossom-like single flowers with a lovely perfume.  No pruning is required.

Photo by Jane Bodine

Westerland Photo by Jane Bodine

Pruning and Training Climbing Roses

Climbers and shrub roses trained as climbers do not naturally climb; canes require the support of a sturdy fence or trellis on to which canes can be tied.  Train and prune annually in late winter.  Rose canes are studded with vicious thorns that bite, so wear gloves.  Untie canes from support, remove older, dead, broken, and crossing canes completely.  Bend canes horizontally if space permits to promote new shoots, tie to their supports, and reduce side shoots to 8.”    Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat bloom.  If you grow large-flowered clematis with your climbers, prune at the same time.  Reduce stems by at least half.

Sources

Pickering Nurseries

Reagan Nursery

Brushwood Nursery

Heirloom Roses