skip to main content

Gardening in the UK

Rambling roses

19 years ago

Hello

My name is Alice I live in France and I am new to this forum.

I have just ordered some rambling roses (Kiftsgate, Rambling Rector, Kew Rambler and Wedding day) from Peter Beals to plant against walls between my house and my neighbours. However I have just discovered that they can grow very large. Does anyone know if they can be pruned to keep them to about three metres high?

Alice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

garden_nerd
19 years ago
Hi Alice,
Welcome to Garden web.
I have a Rambling Rector which was planted at the base of a lilac tree about 2.5 years ago. So far it is about 2-4 m high, and has not required pruning yet or presented a problem. However, I expect to have to work hard to control it when it really gets going and I think I'll end up taking it out after 5 years or so. I'm a bit disappointed in it really, as the flowers are an undistinguished colour, not very scented, don't last very long and don't seem to produce nice hips. It's a typical rambler in the sense that it throws up long wands from the base (up to 5m long so far) rather than developing a framework of permanent branches like other climbing roses. So I'll have to choose between cutting out the weakest of these to reduce its bulk or chopping the tops off them to reduce the height. I'll probably go for the thinning method, looks more natural.

As for Kiftsgate, I saw the rose growing in full swing when I visited. It was truly scary - it had spread itself over an area at least 15 m square with massive, arching, thorned stems bounding every where, high up in to some very large trees as well. I know when I'm beat! I think you'd struggle to keep that thing confined to 30m let alone 3m.

Not that I'd want to put you off after you've ordered them but think very carefully about how you are going to site and control these plants, particularly the Kiftsgate. If you phoned Peter Beale maybe someone would advise you and let you change your order?
mariannese
19 years ago
I agree with garden_nerd about trying to cancel or change your order for these ramblers. You could control them if absolutely necessary but they will be stunted and will not give their best. Besides, it will be very hard work for you.
Related Discussions
Establishing Rambling Roses
Q
Comments (5)
If you want Westerland to grow along your fence, just let the new shoots grow until they get as long as they are going to get, and have hardened off a bit, so they are not fragile. Then I would tie them horizontally along the fence. By all means look at the "training a climbing rose" link above and watch Paul Zimmerman's video. Christopher is correct, of course - this rose is a climber (or shrub if you want to prune it to be just a bush), not a rambler. This is good if you want your rose to bloom all spring and summer and fall - that is what this one should do in your warm climate. Ramblers only bloom once in the Spring. I would never remove new, healthy cane shoots on a baby rose - just let it grow for a year or two. Then you will have enough rose to begin training and pruning it. The advice you read that some people remove "buds" refers to flower buds, not new canes. From the looks of your rose, it is healthy and growing well, so I personally I would not remove any flower buds either - I only do that on very tiny, new fragile roses (the ones that are 6-10 inches tall). Good luck with your rose - it is going to be so beautiful! Jackie
...See More
Vigorous rambling roses--controlling
Q
Comments (9)
I would put the post at least 4' (1.2m) from the edge of the path. The post after it is enveloped by the rose should be about 4' wide. In my zone 6 garden it takes several years for the rose to fully envelope the post. During the growing season I tuck loose canes into canes that have already been secured to the post as this helps to make a fuller effect and prevents long hanging canes. I do very little pruning until the post is quite fully enveloped by the rose and then just to take out the oldest canes. The 'Excelsa' in the photo below is three years old and the canes don't yet reach the top of the post. At the beginning of the growing season there were only a few canes winding the 12' (4m) post. You can see that all the flowers are on short laterals that are the present seasons growth and now hang from the canes winding the post. Next spring I will have more canes winding the post and that will fill in the sections now without flowers and I can secure the canes hanging at the top onto the post. There is not yet a path surrounding the pillar. There are two more pillars already installed and two more to be installed this fall. Eventually, all five will be surrounded by grass so one can walk up to the pillars and enjoy the roses close up.
...See More
Our rambling rose and our Hawthorn tree!!!
Q
Comments (2)
Toto, I don't think we are in Wales anymore.... All kidding aside, where, approximately, are you currently located? Local climate makes all the difference. Jackie
...See More
Story about an old rambling rose
Q
Comments (11)
Thank you all - Yes, my DH is always coming up with good ideas for the hardscape of the garden, and then he builds them! The idea to keep the stump of the tree tall and then get a rose arch and make a raised bed was all his - I was still in shock at having to lose our lovely tree, and having our neighbor's not very lovely house suddenly become a feature of our garden was not helping. It has turned out to be a great example of "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Jackie
...See More
mrcrip
19 years ago
I have to say that whenever I have bought roses online I use Apuldram Roses as the have expected growth information for each rose is clearly visible. Ramblers can seemingly go on and on. If you are unsure it is always best to speak to the rose supplier themselves.

Here is a link that might be useful: Climbers and Rambler Roses

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Captivating Roses for an Alluringly Fragrant Garden

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Perfume your garden with aromas from richly spicy to lightly sweet, without sacrificing an inch of color

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

LANDSCAPE DESIGN What Kind of Gardener Are You? Find Your Archetype

Pick from our descriptions to create a garden that matches your personality and tells your story

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Refined Casual Style for a Gracious Farmhouse

By Becky Harris

Once a rustic weekend cabin, this spacious Georgia home now comfortably accommodates the owners and their guests full-time

GARDENING GUIDES New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you go making a mountain out of a mulch hill, learn the facts about what your plants and soil really want

ARCHITECTURE How to Design a Storybook Cottage

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

A client’s request: “Build me a house where Disney meets Tudor.” The architect explores the details that make the style

DECORATING GUIDES Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Pink From the Great Outdoors

By Laura Gaskill

Leave your assumptions about pink at the princess playhouse door. Head outside instead for shades from shocking to subtle

GARDENING GUIDES A Mom, a Garden and a Gift for the Neighbors

By Steve Asbell

Gardening can be therapeutic in unexpected ways. See how one gardener found peace and purpose in a patch of Florida soil

LIFE Slow Living 101: Tips for Turning Off the Chaos

By Laura Gaskill

It may feel as though you're too busy to slow down and enjoy life. But even little changes can have a big effect

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get the Mystery of a Gothic Garden for Yourself

Create an enchanting and tranquil scene with the stonework and wayward plantings of Gothic garden design

Sponsored