How big will the trellis be? Climbers that are fully hardy, like 'Quadra', can grow 12-15' and are best given a support about 8 x 10' or more. Those that are not cane-hardy in your zone will have to be cut to the ground in spring, will maybe grow 7' each summer, but will not bloom much compared to hardy ones. A hardy climber that will not eat the house is 'John Davis'.

I agree with Michael that I really don't see a spot for a climber there. A large shrub like Frontenac or Therese Bugnet or a pillar rose like Mme. Plantier would work.

My experience with Benjaim Britten In 5b - grows to about 5', not a climber. Some of the roses that David Austin calls climbers are apt to throw some very long canes. But the long canes don't usually survive the winter, and what you get is a lopsided shrub rather than a climber.

Hi-

When you say you don't see a spot for a climber, do you mean zone-wise or space wise? Are you suggesting a pillar because a less hardy rose would fill that better (since it won't grow as tall as a true hardy climber)?

Regarding the trellis- I was thinking of picking one that best suits the rose I choose. The blooms would have to start at about 3.5 to 4 feet to be seen over the peony. I was thinking a more vertical grower (hence the climber idea) since the space is a bit narrow for something wide. Alternatively, I could move the peony forward to accommodate a large shrub rose. The peony is in a bit of an awkward place- too close to the house to fit something behind it, but far enough from the house that it leaves an awkward gap. The previous owner planted it and the mallow behind it, and the mallow is just too wide/rampant growing to stay there.

May be a climber or two for the porch? :-) I just bought 2 iise Krohn Superior, they listed cold hardy to zone 5 at Palatine Roses.

Climbers need to spread out semi-horizontally in order to bloom well. The space between the windows doesn't look big enough for a real climber. Possibly it could be extended sideways above the windows, although tending a large climber on a wall is a lot of trouble.

Wrapping a rose around an 8' pillar would keep it narrower and provide the horizontality needed for good bloom. For example, you can use a 10' 4 x 4 with short horizontal arms attached at various heights, a rebar tripod, or a four-legged tower. You need a rose that is fairly flexible for wrapping.

Some basic points are, don't try to grow a real climber on one of those dinky fan trellises, and be sure the variety you plant--whether shrub or climber--is fully cane hardy in your climate, or it won't make the kind of statement you are hoping for. You can get reliable advice about hardiness here, not necessarily at the garden center.

I would move the peony. If you decide on a climber it would probably have to be one of the Canadian Explorers.

Just to give you an idea on space, they get at least as big as the rose in the first picture. I managed to grow William Baffin in a similar space, but it required me to prune it often.

I think a shrub rose is a good idea, I wonder how hardy the roses by Dr. Griffith Buck are? I don't grow any.

William Baffin

After much trial and error, I strongly recommend against playing games with marginally hardy climbers. They can't understand the plan, and insist on messing up. It is a much better idea to just plant a rose that will be the size you want in your climate. There definitely exist roses that will get big in zone 4, they just need a larger, more substantial structure than there is room for on the house. They also don't tend to be easily trained, so need more space to spread out than you might think.

Thanks for the feedback so far. A pillar could be nice- perhaps something I could put on a nice looking obelisk as a focal point? The feedback has been very helpful. The last thing I want is to have a large empty trellis with a rose that can't grow big enough to fill it, or a completely overwhelmed trellis with a rose that is out of control!