Reluctant Climbers

My climbing roses tend to bush instead of growing upward.

BY: Deb Brown, professor emeritus, University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science

My climbing roses tend to bush instead of growing upward. How can I make them climb?
—Jason Simon, Wauwatosa, WI

First, are you sure they’re climbers? Some of the popular Canadian-bred Explorer roses, such as ‘William Baffin’, ‘John Davis’, and ‘John Cabot’, are not true climbers, even though they’re sold as climbers. Instead, they send out long canes that may be trained upward.

Second, do you have trellises or supports for your roses? They won’t climb up a wall or fence on their own. Give them some help by weaving them in and around a support. Attach the upright stems to the trellis using plant twist ties, clips, or soft cloth such as pieces of old pantyhose legs.

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Reluctant Climbers

My climbing roses tend to bush instead of growing upward.

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Reluctant Climbers My climbing roses tend to bush instead of growing upward. BY: Deb Brown, professor emeritus, University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science 0 My climbing roses tend to bush instead of growing upward. How can I make them climb? —Jason Simon, Wauwatosa, WI First, are you sure they’re climbers? Some of the popular Canadian-bred Explorer roses, such as ‘William Baffin’, ‘John Davis’, and ‘John Cabot’, are not true climbers, even though they’re sold as climbers. Instead, they send out long canes that may be trained upward. Second, do you have trellises or supports for your roses? They won’t climb up a wall or fence on their own. Give them some help by weaving them in and around a support. Attach the upright stems to the trellis using plant twist ties, clips, or soft cloth such as pieces of old pantyhose legs. Comments There are currently no comments, be the first to post one. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.