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Options for climbing roses
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Date Posted: Fri, Apr 24 - 11:47 am
- Hi there, my husband and I are hoping to plant climbing roses in front of our home and would love advice on what an appropriate trellis or other support might look like. We have vinyl siding that runs vertically (see picture, left side) and are somewhat stumped on a solution.
- Thanks so much for reaching out to the Richmond Master Gardeners! Climbing roses can be a beautiful addition to a home, and you’ve got several good options to consider with your vinyl siding. There are a few approaches you could take depending on the look you’re going for and how much you want to attach to the house. One option is to install a freestanding trellis or arbor positioned a few inches out from the wall. This gives the roses a sturdy structure to climb while keeping everything independent from the siding which is often the simplest and lowest-risk choice. If you’d prefer a more integrated look, you can attach a trellis directly to the wall and train the rose onto it. With vinyl siding, you’ll want to be thoughtful about how it’s mounted to avoid damage and make sure you are using proper anchors into studs (rather than just the siding) is key. Another creative option is to use vinyl siding clips or outdoor-rated command hooks paired with wire or heavy-duty twine to create a grid system for the rose to climb. This can work well if you’d rather not drill into the siding. If you go this route, plan to run the wires across the full width you want the rose to fill from the start, and be sure to choose clips or hooks that are rated to handle the mature weight of a fully grown climbing rose, which can be substantial. No matter which method you choose, keep in mind that climbing roses don’t naturally cling on their own and they’ll need to be gently tied and trained as they grow. Soft plant ties or garden twine work well for this. Best of luck with this project! It will be beautiful as it fills in.