Rose Vines and Shrubs

Vines

• Climbing roses are not technically vines. The do not produce curling, grasping tendrils, as grapes do, or clinging pads like English ivy. Without support, a climbing rose doesn't often climb. To get your rose growing vertically, tie your climbing rose to a trellis or arbor as it grows, using a non-binding material to prevent damage to the canes. Strips of abandoned nylons or other stretchy materials work well.

Shrub Roses

• While many roses grow in a shrub form, rose aficionados refer to a specific group as shrub roses. Shrub roses are roses suited for your landscape, such as patio roses or ground covers, rather than valued for their large flowers, such as hybrid teas or older roses. Shrub roses may grow upright, sprawl or cascade. David Austin, the English rose breeder, produces hybrids between modern and old roses that fall into this category. Not only do shrub rose varieties have whimsical form and character, but they fend off harsh conditions, cold weather, drought and pests.

Climbing Forms

• Climbing roses are simply roses with long, flexible canes, often with individual canes 20 feet long. Because climbing roses aren't vines, substitute certain long-caned rambling, shrub or modern roses, although not every rose makes a suitable climber. Choose a variety with long canes, such as the white-flowered Sally Holmes or the rambling May Queen, a rose with pale pink flowers.

Care

• Climbing roses are generally hardy specimens and get along fine without much attention. Let your climbing rose grow for at least two years before pruning. If you do need to prune the large, thick main canes due to damage, cut them back to the base and guide new canes to replace the old. Prune the flowering side branches when the plant is dormant. Shrub roses also need little care, but prune out dead wood and overenthusiastic canes in early spring.