what about confederate jasmine. Evergreen- not as crazy as Lady Banks. Maybe pair that with a clematis or even a moonflower.

In my opinion - I would never plant Lady Banks again. It took over everything and only looked attractive for maybe 3 weeks a year. To me it wasn't worth putting up with it the rest of the year. I had to constantly tie up new branches and I think if left alone it could pull down a fence.

I love my Lady Banks. She is planted in the easement where the utility companies can clear out all vegetation at any time. If you haven't guessed I'm resentful of them being able to dig up my plants so I put the world's largest rose,combined with a rampant maypop vine, to make the work harder.

That said, I believe the Lady B will tear down your trellis. It's the largest rose in the world and covers 8,000 sq ft in Tombstone, AZ.

The idea to interplant a less aggressive rose with Clematis is a popular choice. There are smaller heirloom roses avalible. PJ

pjtexgirl, here, the gas company just drives a huge chipper type machine down the easement, clearing everything in it's path. They told my neighbor to dig up her 5 year old crape myrtle and she just smiled and told them to cut it down, knowing it would come right back again.

I love the LB, but they can run wild. They need lots of space to grow and only bloom in the spring. If you want a rose, have you considered a climbing pinkie? It doesn't grow as wild, and mine stays in bloom most of the year. Another nice rose is the Zephirine Drouhin, and it is thornless.

Probably not a good idea for anyone to make PJ mad!

pkgsknight, a trellis made out of bullwire? What is that?

I need to make one for blackberries. My wife wants it to be all wood though.
Lonny

I have to begin with by saying that I love aggressive plants: Datura, passiflora, the type of morning glory that grows from roots, not seeds, salvias etc.

I do not have the courage to plant a Lady Banks rose. Have you seen a mature one? That's a lifetime of pruning. The question will be: will it be the rose's lifetime or yours....just kidding!

The zephy rose ltcollins mentioned grows fast, puts up long canes and smells divine. Biggest flush is in the spring. I didn't give mine enough room when I planted her. She can put up 10 ft long canes in every direction. But they are pliable and thornless.

I'm a big fan of vines: less trouble than roses. The passiflora carula is everygreen and you could mix it with a clematis if you like.

let us know what you decide
c

Our Lady Banks is 7 years old and has way overgrown the original trellis, but we love it. Today I added some trellis's behind it and hope it fills that out too. Just like your pets, they have to be trained, lol