Question
We planted a climbing rose in front of our house, but we would not like to have a pergola, a trellis or a garden arbor that could block the view of the house.
What would be the the best strategy to train our climbing rose in this case.
I have a dream of growing this rose as a fountain of flowers. Is it possible?

Thank you a lot.

Daniela

Answer
There are two types of climbers. One is caused by a bush rose sporting to a climber. As roses have blood lines like humans, a sport is just another type of rose that was used in the breeding of a particular rose. These types of climbers are VERY vigorous and throw out tall, stiff canes. You can cut them back hard but that only makes then mad and they get angry and push out more stiff growth. As you can see this type of climber is really hard to keep as a large bush. However there is another type of climber and it is bred as a climber. This types makes a nice shrub with many flowers on it. You just cut the climber right across to about 4 feet and then it will grow back again in the summer to abut 6 feet depending what climate you garden in. If you get extra tall canes in the summer, you simply prune that one back as it doesn't matter when you cut roses. Look at your climber and see if it has thick, stiff canes and if it does then it is a climbing sport of a bush rose. If not you are in luck. You can still try and cut back the stiff cane type as you won't kill the rose only annoy it.