Rose advice: Not grow too high

Hi

We are getting a planter installed underneath a window.
(Picture included for the window, sort of height i expect the planter to be, and *potential roses)
*This thread is all about height roses can grow to.



We need to open the window often; so any plants that go in there need to not grow too high, or at least need to be able to be pruned regularly so they don't go too high.

We were recommended "David Austin roses".
We first thought this was a type of rose, then we discovered 'English Roses from David Austin Roses | Bare Root & Potted Plants' so thought ahh this is a company!
Then i did some research and found out who David Austin was, now im not sure if it is a type of rose, a company, or both!?

We would like a 'Hot pink' or 'Pale Pink' rose and we would like it already flowering, so potted.
These are what we were looking at:
"Gabriel Oak" ( Gabriel Oak | English Shrub Rose | David Austin Roses )
"The Shepherdess" ( The Shepherdess | English Shrub Rose | David Austin Roses )

But i then got advice that 'Patio roses' would not grow as much, so now looking at maybe:
Greenalls Glory | Patio Rose | David Austin Roses
Queen Mother | Patio Rose | David Austin Roses

Would appreciate any advice on what Roses might suit my requirements best i.e. Pink, but one's that grow too high.

Thanks!

 

Hi @collinsc

I love a lot of the David Austin roses and have 12 of them. Keep in mind that the advertised sizes are often exceeded. I don't have Gabriel Oak but I heard it can get pretty big (though it is a great rose). I don't know much about the Shepherdess, it's not one of the most popular ones.

I do think you might be better off with patio roses. And actually for patio roses, I don't think I would be looking for David Austin specifically, as it's not what they are known for, and they are not cheap.

To answer your question on David Austin. They are a company, that obviously started with David Austin himself. Their website also sells roses that were not bred by them, at a higher price that you would find elsewhere.

But regarding the roses they grow themselves: they are essentially hybrids between modern roses and older varieties. The older varieties have more charm but tend to be more prone to disease and most of them only flower once. Via their breeding program, they produce variants which have some of that charm while being repeat flowering and (for the most part) have decent disease resistance.

David Austin is not the only company following this process, but they are the most well known one doing that.

 

@CostasK - Thanks.

Definitely after something hardy that will flower more than once.
Can you recommend a company that is more well known for patio roses?

 

I am afraid not @collinsc I don't have any patio roses. Some of them look very pretty though and do have character. I would just go round garden centres, have a look and Google each one I like the look of on my phone, on the spot. This way not only will you end up paying less than buying online, but you can also choose nice specimens.

 

Bare root roses you should plant between late Autumn and Spring (the dormant season). Potted roses plant any time. Then there is the scented and non scented roses. Always read the description closely before buying. Check out roses at Garden Centres they usually sell a vast selection including David Austin. If you go now you will see the flower and smell the scent if it has any.

 

Thanks.

 

Could you possibly reduce the height of your planter to give the plants more growing space above? As long as the depth of the soil is 40cm or more, patio roses should be fine. Have a look at the selection at Style Roses. Most roses prefer a sunny location so I assume that your house front gets sun and is not shaded out by the tree on the left of your photo.

 

Yes that's definitely a good idea. It's one for to chat with the guy building the planter about height.
Yes front is South facing and tree won't shade out that area.

 

You may already have considered this, but make sure that your planter has drainage holes and can drain well so that the soil/compost does not get waterlogged.

 

Hi
Lots of kisses is a great variety for your trough

 

If it were mine, I would plant a climbing rose in the ground on each side, bearing in mind the service box to one side.This would enable you to grow other plants in the planter, to 'hedge your bets' and to provide more interest/longer season/all year feature,perhaps with pots to enable this by rotation.
Height need not be an issue if your have longarm pruners.....
An alternative supplier of roses that I have used over thirty years is Apuldram
https://www.apuldramroses.co.uk

 

Thanks for those thoughts and the link.

 

Dwarf, miniature or patio roses from any breeder/seller might suit your needs. I feel you are asking too much to grow a small growing rose of any kind in the container, under a window. Unless you went for "pot" roses which are rarely scented. Possibly scented miniature/dwarf shrubs
might be more suitable. If you want scented roses then a climber on the house wall with its feet in the ground would be a much safer bet. Good strong vine eyes and training wires across the front of the house to train it on and it could look spectacular.
Most bush and shrub roses grow from 3ft up to 6ft plus in height. David Austin roses are renowned for scent but I do not know any small/tiny growing ones.

 

Thanks for the tips.
Yes, we would like potted roses. We arent that bothered about the scent to be honest. Just want it to look nice

 

It would be a lot cheaper and more colourful to stuff the box with annuals each year. A different colour scheme each year as well. Roses are pretty boring once they finish flowering. A bunch of sticks all winter.