How do I control my westerland rose?

4 years ago

I thought it would be so lovely to have a fragrant climbing rose on my pergola. And I love the fragrance of westerland. But she's out of control! What do I do?? Early this spring I pruned out all of the lateral growth entirely, leaving only the main canes growing horizontally along the top of the pergola. Now the new lateral canes create a four foot mound of shrub on top of the pergola, so that you can no longer see its structure... It just looks like a twelve foot high, monstrous, out of control shrub.

Should I just cut off all the lateral growth again? There's no room to tie it down to the structure. Next year, should I halve the number of main canes growing across the pergola, so I have room to tie down the lateral growth? Or should I face facts and replace her with a less vigorous climber? Any suggestions on a fragrant climber that is more manageable on a pergola? This picture is about a month old. She's much larger and taller now.

Featured Answer

BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)

4 years ago

I agree, you would probably need to half the number of main canes next spring to get more sparse look. America would be a fragrant climber with excellent repeat in the same color range that’s not so vigorous, but you’d have the opposite problem… patiently waiting for her to get big enough to climb. Personally I think your Westerland looks fine in its current lush state, and the dog looks so comfortable!

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Comments (13)

Chris
4 years ago
I can’t help but I had to say.. that is beautiful!
Daniel Hemmerle thanked Chris
forever_a_newbie_VA8
4 years ago
Agree. very beautiful rose! I wish I have it
Daniel Hemmerle thanked forever_a_newbie_VA8
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mmmm12COzone5
4 years ago
Love the photo! Especially the dog. Can't help with the rose question.
Daniel Hemmerle thanked mmmm12COzone5
Cuteleier Z6 KS
4 years ago
Agree! I can’t help but this is lovely!
Daniel Hemmerle thanked Cuteleier Z6 KS
charles kidder
4 years ago
Westerland is one of my favorite roses. Because, it looks like that and smells great. You don't need a smaller rose. You need a bigger pergola.
Daniel Hemmerle thanked charles kidder
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
"It just looks like a twelve foot high, monstrous, out of control shrub."

Yes, well - that's what 'Westerland' is! It's too coarse a rose to be grown on a small arch like that - it will not conform to that delicate structure. You're going to fight it constantly, to get it to behave the way you want. Its got excess vigor and is stiffly upright by nature. I think you need a more lax climber (from the Wichurana group, perhaps) that is going to be more easily trained and is a more modest grower.

@Daniel, you don't state where you are located, which makes it difficult to recommend an alternative variety.
Daniel Hemmerle thanked User
SoFL Rose z10
4 years ago
Can’t help but say that it looks lovely.
Daniel Hemmerle thanked SoFL Rose z10
Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
For me, that look is the goal! Beautiful. I grow Westerlands sport Autumn Sunset and hope for the same. 😀
Daniel Hemmerle thanked Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
jjpeace (zone 5b Canada)
4 years ago
I am so envious of you. This is the type of climbing rose I want but unfortunately can not have in my cold zone. I tried to grow Westerland once and it remain a low growing almost like a carpet rose. It died only after two growing season.
Daniel Hemmerle thanked jjpeace (zone 5b Canada)
Ashley Smith zone 5a
4 years ago
To me it looks perfect! Something I only dream of in zone 5😭
Daniel Hemmerle thanked Ashley Smith zone 5a
Daniel Hemmerle
Original Author
4 years ago
Paul I'm in zone 6a. This is a south facing garden, and the potential candidate would be growing over a baking hot concrete patio.

Thanks everyone! She's beautiful for her first flush... I just pruned off tons of her lateral growth and she's pretty again, but I think she might just be too vigorous to be practical.
N
last year
I am purchasing a 2 meter square gazebo (6.5 ft) and thining of using Westerland similarly to Daniel to grow up one corner and over the horizontal side (but also do not want it to overwhelm the gazebo roof, just keep it on the side post.

I live in Holland which is zone 7 to 8. And I actually was thinking of using Westerland on one side of my gazebo, Lady of Shalott on the 2nd side (as a climber) and Barbara Ann (Scent from Heaven) from Chris Warner (UK) on the 3rd. Now that I read about Westerland am wondering if it will be too much? Especailly with 2 other climbers...

Although I was thinking to only use 2 canes of Westerland and cut all the rest off. Any advice in general on my situation? I am a totallly new gardener. Though learning. So appreciate any help. I live way in the country, so not many advisors here.

Thank you very much!

Best wishes

Nirukt