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Landscape Design Roses

Climber rose into shrub help

Joe Moose, Zone 9A

last year

My friend got me a Kiss Me Kate rose as a very late Holiday gift. It looks amazing in the pics and I can't wait to grow it, but I have no space to put it as a climber. Is there any way for me to shape it to a shrub or can I just leave it as is?

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Nippstress Nebraska z5

last year

What may cause problems if you try to keep it in a particular size by pruning is that climbers are more likely than other roses to bloom on the ends of canes. That means if you keep pruning the long canes, you'll also prune off most of the blooms. Not a hard and fast rule, but something to consider for climbers. If you let it sprawl to its heart's content that's not an issue, but as other posters have said in zone 9 that's liable to be a big sprawl.

Cynthia

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Comments (7)

elenazone6
last year
Help Me Find states that its height can reach up to 6'7". You might want to use an obelisk support structure and let this rose grow around it.

https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=21.426542
Diane Brakefield
last year
I never believe HMF size estimates. In Joe's zone 9A, I'd think the estimates would be way off. Diane
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dianela7analabama
last year
If you have space for a large bush you can let it grow unsupported. I grow several climbers this way and they go up to 6 or 7 feet tall and then cascade down like a big octopus.
judijunebugarizonazn8
last year
Kiss Me Kate is very stiff and upright for me. I have it planted by an old door and I never even have to fasten it to the door. Big thick stiff canes that only gently curve at the tips when it blooms.
Liz Bell
7 months ago
I am in zone 8 and my 4yr old KMKs are HUGE
Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & warm/humid S z6
7 months ago
I would rehome it. Its likelihood to get enormous with arching canes perhaps getting to make a mature bush 10+' across would be almost unmanageable. Keeping it cropped back would be a never-ending pruning exercise.

Moses.

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