Arch Roses

I am planning on installing a wooden arch over a central path in garden. I would love to plant climbing roses over the arch.

I'm stepping into new territory since I haven't done this before. I have a few roses in pots and in the garden, but I lack experience with climbing roses. If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions.

1) Roses are assocated with issues, e.g. black spot..etc. Do climbing roses come with their own set of challenges?

2) It it okay to plant two seperate rose varities at either end of the arch or stick with one.

3) I'm looking for roses with medium to small blooms that have a lovely fragrance, preferably in light pastel shades. Any suggestions?

4) The arch will be about 1.0 meters wide. Should I plant a couple of roses at each end, or is it better to go with just one?

The garden is in S. London, North facing but does get almost full sun in most part.

I would appreciate any ideas or advice you might have!

Thank you

Dilip

 

Climbing and rambling roses come in different heights. If you would like 2 roses, one each side of the arch then chose shorter ones.

I have Strawberry Hill, Open Arms, The Albrighton Rambler and Narrow Water. My daughter had The Generous Gardener.

Try looking on websites such as David Austin and Peter Beales.

 

Hi @Dilip

Regarding your questions:

1. Climbing roses and shrub roses basically differ in relation to pruning but other than that are very similar. Rambling roses are a bit different. Most are once-flowering but there are some repeat flowering ones (e.g. Lady of the Lake, which also matches the description of what you are after). Ramblers usually have fewer issues with diseases.
2. Yes
3. Lady of the Lake (rambling rose).
4. Hmm... To achieve the effect you normally get with arches, you would have one on each side, and they would meet in the middle. But, at 1m wide, that sounds like quite a small arch. What is the height?

 

In answer to Q4, that will depend on whether your soil is good and rich or at least the planting holes will be well-prepared. Also on how much you're prepared to feed them in future. Roses are greedy plants!