Want Climbing Roses To Grow More Blooms? Train Them Instead Of Pruning Them

Climbing roses are a charming, romantic addition to any outdoor space. Whether you're designing and planting the perfect cottage garden or you simply want to cover up a dull corner of your yard, these stunning plants add a pop of color and often an enchanting scent. Since climbing roses don't have tendrils or twining stems, it's crucial to keep them maintained. They need extra help if you want them to climb in a particular direction. Thankfully, if you're trying to get your climbing roses to produce more blooms, opting to train instead of prune them is the right move.

Without proper training, climbing roses (Rosa spp.) can quickly become unruly. These woody, sometimes thorny plants are capable of growing canes up to 30 feet long. If you don't take measures to keep these roses tidy, they can devolve into a mess of branches. Pruning can help prevent overgrowth and keep your climbing rose healthy. However, it must be paired with training if you want an ideal shape and prolific blooms. Pruning is straightforward, but why is training just as important — or even more so? Branches that grow laterally rather than straight up and down encourage more flowers throughout the entire plant.

You can't train a climbing rose until its second year of growth. To set a newly acquired sapling for success, choose an ideal location in your garden for planting. That means selecting a spot in your yard that will provide at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. You'll also want to plant your rose near something you can train it to climb on, such as a trellis, fence, or arbor. Plant your climbing rose in early spring and loosely fasten the branches, called canes, to the structure as they grow.

Your climbing rose should be ready to train after a year of establishment. These blooming shrubs have two types of branches: main canes and lateral canes. Main canes support the plant, holding it upright, while lateral canes sprout from the main canes and produce flowers. You'll train the main canes. First, trim away unsightly or dead branches. Then, use plant ties or twine to attach the healthy main canes to your trellis or other support structure at a 45- to 90-degree angle. Space each cane out evenly. Training your roses in this manner will promote more lateral cane growth, which leads to more blooms.

Training your climbing rose isn't the only way to grow climbing roses for gorgeous towering blooms. While pruning alone isn't the best way to encourage more bloom growth, it's still important. Focus your attention on lateral canes, trimming them back in mid to late winter. Only prune main canes if they are unhealthy, dead, or the plant needs re-training. In some cases, you might see new main canes popping up. You'll need to train them in the direction you want them to go, too. Use additional stakes as needed. Mistakes to avoid while pruning your plants include using dirty, dull tools or pruning during extreme rises or falls in temperature.

Throughout the season, you can deadhead old flowers to make way for more buds. Water your climbing roses at least once a week, taking care not to overwater. Feed your plant with balanced rose fertilizer throughout the growing season to encourage healthy canes and blooms. Monitor the branches and leaves closely for pests and, at the first sign of an infestation, respond with good air circulation, root-level watering, and your control method of choice. With proper training and diligent care, your climbing roses are sure to become a stunning addition to your yard.