New Rose Garden help - Newbie

[jeffnoll]

Let me preface this again by saying I am a total Rose and gardening newbie in general. I live in Western Mass (zone 5).

The house I moved into a few years back came with 3 rose bushes. I have no idea what kind they are, but I do know they only bloom once a year and stand about 3 feet tall. I currently have them spread out evenly about a foot in front of a 20 foot section of 6' stockade fence.

Up until recently I have been doing my best (or worst) at pruning off the wild out of control portions that don't bud and they have managed to come back each year to bloom for about a month in the spring.

Not knowing any better I was actually pretty happy with what I had. I'd cut a few off for my wife each year, etc.

That all changed when I went to France (the Rouen area in Normandy) a few times this year on business. Over the last 4 months I've been 3 times and the Rose gardens in everyones front yards are amazing.

So now I'm looking to start over fresh and try to do things right. But I have no idea where to start. I do know I have this 20' area of fence I want to turn into a garden. It gets sun the entire day. I'm looking for something that will grow up and cover the stockade fence and have multiple blooms. But I have no idea how to occomplish this.

Does anyone have any good websites or references to help me out? I know this is a lot of questions.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Elizabeth77]

I'm also new to roses, so I'm sure others will be better help. Just thought I'd share what I've got in my yard with you. We moved into our house in June, and the previous owner had two rose bushes in front of the house. I don't know when they started blooming, but the bushes had blooms on them in May when we first came to see the house, then stopped blooming around Aug 19, then 2-3 weeks later each produced about 2-3 more blooms for me. . .quite the shock since I thought they were done for the year! Anyway, one of the bushes is called a climber, and one is a "bush" according to the last owner, don't know anything else about it other than that. All I know is that neither of them bloom only once a year. . .lasts all spring/summer, and that they each grow pretty tall. The climber is about my height, and I'm sure could get taller over time if I let it. It is tied to something that climbers need, like a fanned out post thing. . .maybe someone else could help me out here that knows better! lol The "bush" is taller than me and stands on it's own, not tied to anything. Anyway, maybe that can start giving you some ideas. I'm sure other people will have better ideas though that are more experienced and know more of what's out there. When I read that you wanted something that continually bloomed and would grow up something, I thought of the climber I have, and maybe the "bush" thing could work out for you too. Good luck!

[Newt]

Hi Jeff,

I think you would find the David Austin roses will suit your needs. They are cold hardy, rebloom and are mostly easy care. They also remind most folks of English country roses, which is probably the type you've seen in France. Here's their site. If you scroll down the page you'll see a link for 'Choosing roses and cultivation' that should be helpful. It's also on the left.
https://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/


Hi Elizabeth,

Congratulations on your new home! Here's how to prune your climber and your bush rose.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/pruning_climbingrose.shtml
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/pruning_ramblingrose.shtml

Your "fanned out post thing" is probably a fan trellis.
https://www.laymanplastics.com/images/fan%20trellis%202.jpg

Here's some basic info you both might find helpful.
https://www.atlantarose.org/Rose%20Tips/atlantabasics.htm


For both of you:
You might be able to id your roses here.
https://www.everyrose.com/everyrose/index.lasso
https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/index.php?tab=5

Newt