Unlike true climbing vines, climbing roses actually need a little help from a trellis or support system to get vertical. These beauties don’t have the natural “grip” to hold onto a smooth wall on their own. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to train your roses and how to set up the perfect support for them.
Choosing the Right Support for Your Climbing Roses
When we talk about climbing roses, we’re usually talking about varieties with extra-long, flexible canes. These stems love to reach for the sky, whether they’re draped over a rose arch or woven through a trellis. Unlike ivy, which has those tiny “feet” that can dig into and even damage your home’s siding, roses are much gentler. The upside? You don’t have to worry about your brickwork being ruined. The trade-off? You’ve got to provide the framework for them to lean on.
A good rose support needs to check these boxes:
- It must be sturdy enough to stand tall against heavy winds.
- It needs to handle the weight of the plant once it’s in full bloom.
- It has to be durable enough to survive year-round weather for a long time.
Best Materials for Your Rose Trellis
There are plenty of ways to give your roses a lift, using both natural and man-made structures. If you’re going for a natural look, you can train them to grow up a sturdy tree or let them scramble over large shrubs. Old stone walls and fences work great too—as long as there are nooks, crannies, or rails for the canes to rest on.
If you’re a DIY fan, you can easily build your own support. My top recommendation is to use heavy-duty wire or solid metal. These materials are built to last for years and won’t get brittle or rot after a few seasons in the rain and snow. When you’re building, think big! Climbing roses are fast growers, so design your trellis for the size you want the plant to be at its peak—don’t sell yourself short on space.
