Question
QUESTION: Seattle, SW exposure.  Love Sally Holmes (climber)  After 7 or 8 years, it remains a small bush (about 3' x 3').  What is the ideal growing situation for this beauty?  Does it really climb?  It's in a raised concrete bed.  Am thinking that perhaps the masonry is leaching into the soil and stunting its growth.

ANSWER: You have answered your question in that the lime from the cement could be leaching out and roses don't like lime but prefer a slightly acid soil. If the cement isn't leaching then the heat it gives off will also stunt the rose as roses love and do much better on cool roots systems. I garden north of Seattle and Sally Homes will grow to a large tall shrub about 5 feet. It isn't a climber but it will grow taller down south. Also to get better blooms from Sally, take the center bud or flower, out from the middle of the spray. The middle bloom takes energy away from the rest as the flowers as the center bloom always has the most vigour. Sally Holmes prefers some shade and blooms much longer when she gets it. You will also see more of the soft apricot colouring in partial shade. Hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1)  Am wondering whether there are plants that prefer a lime environment?  I have amended the soil in this large concrete planter for years.  Nothing has ever done well in it.  I think I need to start over.  I already have two Thundercloud plums in the space, further up the alley.  They seem to do pretty well.
2)  Do you own the Rose Farm NE of Seattle?


Answer
Alas no, I don't own the Rose Farm. I am on Vancouver Island in Canada. The rule of thumb for plants that like lime are mainly ones that have blue green foliage such as Carnations, all alpines and many others. Here is a list of plants that would do better in cement for you.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/alkalineplants.html