Barbier Ramblers: When and How To Order?

9 years ago

I have a new project planned that involves planting about 200' of fence line with Barbier Ramblers.

I have purchased own-root bands in the past (OGAs, but not Barbiers) and was not happy with how long it took for them to get established, but I do not see anyone selling Barbiers in gallons, or large bare-root, or grafted. So my first question is: Anyone know of a source for Barbiers other than own-root bands?

My 2nd question, assuming I will have to accept own-root bands, is when should I purchase them? Given that my previous own-root bands went directly into the ground and established themselves only glacially, I am inclined to try potting them up first in larger containers until they get bigger. If I intend to pursue this route, any advantage to getting an early start and trying to order them this Fall? Seems it would be risky to have them in the larger pots over the winter, unless I put them (dormant) in the garage or basement? Or should I just concede and wait for Spring?

Do Barbiers grow well as own-root?

Thanks for any help!

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Comments (8)

CapeRoses
9 years ago
Given the fact that you will need 30 - 35 plants if they are 6' apart, I would talk to a vendor now about providing plants for next spring. They will most likely be bands which means you will have to provide constant water and weeding for the first year if you put them in the ground. I generally put them in a 2g. pot for a year before planting in the landscape. They need constant water when in the pot too. You are setting yourself up for a big project. Rogue Valley Roses seems to have a nice selection of the Barbier ramblers.

One other consideration: some of the Barbier ramblers are only just hardy in zone 6. I have had good luck with 'Francois Juranville' but lost 'Alexander Girault' and 'Alberic Barbier'.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rogue Valley Roses
Clarion
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually, this is a volunteer project, and I was going to put them about 20' apart or so, with about 10 roses. It's for a nursing home that needs some help. I know it will take awhile to fill in.
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Jay, Clair Matin is a wonderful rose, I have two. My favorite which is noisette, but would work in your area is Crepuscule - peach ice cream color and blooms all the time. I had one that arched and draped itself over a fence and it was fabulous - unfortunately, painters bent it over to paint the fence, broke it off......but I plan to plant another. This rose is really fabulous! Color would look good against the white building. I am tempted to try the new David Austin recurrent blooming Albrighton Rambler. Might be fun to see how this one does. I have Mel's Heritage and like it a lot - blooms aren't huge for me though. Kim is right about Vielchenblau - absolutely breathtaking when it is big and in full bloom - unfortunately, only a once bloomer. Also - what about Alchemist? This is a gorgeous peach color and one I intend to try. I saw a Mutablis made into a climber and it was just beautiful - intend to try this one day. You have lots of choices! Judith
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Frances, I 100% agree with you about Mel’s Heritage. Even though I have no other rambling roses to compare him to, I cannot imagine a more floriferous rose. Granted, I am in So CA , but Mel’s Heritage has been blooming since Spring for me. The Spring flush was absolutely astounding. I could hardly see the foliage for all the blooms. I wasn’t able to deadhead all those blooms, but as soon as they dropped, Mel’s Heritage started up again in earnest. Even during that brief period after the Spring flush, there were still scattered new clusters blooming. Mel’s Heritage has been blooming constantly since the Spring flush. There’s never been a time that I haven’t been able to cut some clusters to bring someone. He’s my “sure thing” nearly year round. Even this morning, I can see well over a hundred blooms on him. My Mel’s Heritage outblooms every single rose I grow, from all classes of roses. Our warm Fall days and cool nights have brought powdery mildew back to many of my roses, but not Mel’s Heritage. He’s never shown a speck of it, or any other disease. I do have to keep cutting back his stealthy, long, thin canes, or he will ramble over, under, and through everything in his path. He has become thornier with age, as well. That’s ok with me. Mel’s Heritage is my favorite rose of all. There’s really no other rose, (that I grow) that even comes close to this rose in terms of health and floriferousness. I know I’ve said it many times over past couple of years, but Mel’s Heritage is truly an amazing rose. He’s my very best performer, hands down. I’m going to climb the hill to take some pictures. Lots of buds still coming here in November! So many different shades of pink and apricot..... Lisa
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
9 years ago
Where, fairly exactly, are you?

The Barbiers are not zone 6 plants. They bloom on last year's growth, so need to over winter a lot of cane to do anything. They stand a chance on the coast, in the zone we know as 'We are not zone 7, we are NOT zone 7!'

Setigera ramblers are much hardier, with a lot of the same characteristics.

Any rambler is going to need annual pruning and training. 200' of fence line isn't a joke to redo.
Clarion
Original Author
9 years ago
We grow MAC, Paul's Himalayan, Cecile Brenner, Alexander Girault, Alberic Barbier, and others, all without trouble. They'll be fine.

While I appreciate all the concern about my project, I've got it well in hand. I am simply asking advice on how best to speed the project (and the growth of the roses) along.
User
9 years ago
Must agree with Mads here - the Barbier ramblers can be iffy in cold locations.....but not all wichurana ramblers are Barbiers - there is, for example, the rather good Jersey Beauty, a Horvath rambler....and I think Dr.Van Fleet would also manage the chilly climate of Z6. Also, do consider the soulieana ramblers - Chevy Chase and Kew Rambler...On the other hand, the setigeras also have that nice flex which is so essential for fence-line plantings - I have a wonderful Bohm rose, Tolstoi, which, true enough, takes a few years to get going....but is very beautiful and trainable.
Tessiess, SoCal Inland, 9b, 1272' elev
9 years ago
I just gave a Barbier wichurana as a gift to a friend in zone 6 Ohio. The one I picked was Leontine Gervais purchased from Antique Rose Emporium inTexas. One reason I bought from ARE is their plants are big own roots--2 gallon size--and I wanted the plant to establish faster. ARE lists it as hardy to zone 5 but HMF indicates zone 4 However, ARE stopped taking orders for this season June 2 and won't resume shipping until this fall, so I don't know if this shipping time would be a good option for your zone.

Melissa

Here is a link that might be useful: Vigorous Climbers at Antique Rose Emporium
Clarion
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Melissa!

With the bigger size I can order them for this Fall and plant them directly without waiting for Spring, or messing with bands.
neroseman
9 years ago
In my experience, I've found most of the Barbier ramblers not reliable hardy. A few, however, seem hardier than others. This is true even for coastal southern New England.

Barbier Ramblers: When and How To Order?

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CapeRoses

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Barbier Ramblers: When and How To Order?

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CapeRoses

ClarionOriginal Author

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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)

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