Prolific Climbing Rose?

[daylily]

I just wanted to recommend something that doesn't get the mildew and generally is very healthy.

I won't now. Enjoy Gertrud, it's beautiful!

For the money David asks, it better be flowering first year! Of course it will.

[VirginVegGrower]

Oh yes. Absolutely you will get flowers this year. I am sure it will be fine. It's pretty difficult to kill a rose Your Rootgrow will have it taking off. They love potash but will benefit from a general feed. Don't prune for a few years, what you need to get is a fan of main stems to form your shape. I add mulch to mine too in order to protect the graft area and also to maintain moisture. Water well once planted and through dry spells until it's roots are deeply established. They are deep drillers.

[VirginVegGrower]

I just wanted to recommend something that doesn't get the mildew and generally is very healthy.

I won't now. Enjoy Gertrud, it's beautiful!

For the money David asks, it better be flowering first year! Of course it will.

I don't suffer mildew on my GJ or David Austin roses...?

[chilliking]

They love potash

This may be a stupid question but is this the same as wood ash. i.e. would it be of benefit to dig a bit of ash from our wood burner into the soil before planting?

[daylily]

I don't suffer mildew on my GJ or David Austin roses...?

I don't either, but they are not in such a position.

[VirginVegGrower]

This may be a stupid question but is this the same as wood ash. i.e. would it be of benefit to dig a bit of ash from our wood burner into the soil before planting?

It's not a stupid question and yes wood ash is the stuff. No coal ash though as my other half once did in his quest to be helpful

[mothhawk]

Beware Zephirine Drouhin is a martyr to mildew on walls, I've grown it before and know from experience

I have 2 Zephirin Drouhin, both grown from cuttings, and both against the south facing house wall. Neither gets mildew, but both get black spot. Got a Golden Shower further along and it doesn't get mildew either.

[VirginVegGrower]

I think it's down to how they are kept. Black spot is an unavoidable curse on the organic grower

[chilliking]

i'm pleased to report that the rose arrived last night so i'll be getting it planted first thing tomorrow morning!

[VirginVegGrower]

Woohoo! Enjoy!

[evenflow]

I just wanted to say i have a beautiful Zephirin Drouhin climbing up my shed and its only taken 2 years to look absolutely stunning. I may have to get another for somewhere else. Good luck with your rose and enjoy the beauty...roses are my fave !

[VirginVegGrower]

That's another corker! Would like to see a pic

[evenflow]

I hope this works. This is a pic from late last year ( as you can see the petals are falling off...lol).
They make the whole garden smell so beautiful people always comment on it.
Hoping for another spurt of growth this summer...

[chilliking]

evenflow - looks great!

i hope the deep freeze we had a couple of weeks ago didn't damage it so soon after planting it. i covered it with a little plastic cloche when i realised the freeze was going to be prolonged to try to stop the soil from freezing.

any more tips on how to look after it? i added some rooting fungus when planting and mixed in plenty of compost and some wood ash with the soil. anything else i should consider doing?

[Jeanied]

Plant it as far from the wall as you can, so the roots have a chance of growing out beyond the rain shadow. It will need watering to help it establish.
It should flower this year - but be prepared for quite a small plant to be delivered!