For many years in my garden, I have been dealing with the challenge of growing roses with the forces of nature in its ‘animal‘ form. The deer, rabbits, voles, moles and those rascal squirrels, have caused a lot of frustration to this gardener. It was very disheartening to have lovely blooms or fresh new growth on my rose bush one day only to have it completely devoured by the next day. Sometimes, I could hardly believe my eyes– one day my rose garden was full of colorful blooms and the next it becomes just a bunch of lifeless sticks!
Thankfully, due to those first hand formative years, I’ve learned how to control some of these ‘hungry rascals’. One way is by faithfully applying deer repellant (Plantskydd is a good organic one) to all my roses. This can become costly and very time consuming but it does seem to work.
Another way, which I did often in my previous gardens, was to venture into the world of vertical gardening. Roses are especially at their most dramatic when they are growing up and spilling over a vertical support. It evokes a feeling of romance and antiquity to my garden and keeps them out of harms way from my ‘rose eating predators’.
So, I’ve slowing started investing in vertical structures to add to my garden. Mostly arbors, trellises, and obelisks. Many of my trellises and obelisks were purchased online and a few of the wrought iron arbors I had custom made as to add to the architectural flair of my home and garden. Presently, I’ve got four arbor structures, four obelisks and several trellises, as well as, eye hooks and fishing line for my three ‘Don Juan’ climbing roses. I’m sure I’ll add more over the years, but for now my climbing roses are safe…that is until the Japanese beetles arrive!
Here’s a few photos of my roses climbing these vertical structures in all their splendor and glory this beautiful month of May….
Beautiful climbing rose Eden graces my wrought iron arch once you enter into my backyard. Eden climbs on one side while a newly planted Lady Ashe is being trained up the other.
Climbing here on another wrought iron arch is Kordes climbing rose ‘Laguna’. These photos do her no justice. She is a beauty!
I’ve planted purple clematis ‘Gyspy Queen’ to accompany her…
This arch was attached to the stone pillars of my upper deck area. ‘Laguna’ is being grown on both sides in large containers.
‘Don Juan’ climbing up my front entrance archway. Eye hooks and fishing line were used to attach the canes.
Making a spectacular display each spring is my lovely climbing rose ‘New Dawn’. Her romantic presence will always be welcome in my garden….
Free standing trellises were installed by my husband and I for her to climb upon. Later, eye hooks and fishing line are put in place to keep her in bounds….
You would never guess that I purchased this double arch only two years ago. The climbing roses were only 3 feet tall when I planted them but with the faithful application of HavenBrand Manure and Alfalfa tea these climbing roses grew by leaps and bounds!
Red climber growing up a trellis and spilling over my stone wall.
Thanks to vertical gardening I can enjoy my roses for years to come.
Sorry my furry friends, but I’ve outsmarted you this time….
