How to Grow & Prune Rambling Roses: A Complete Guide

25/10/2024 Sav Taylor

While only blooming once a year, rambling roses can be a pretty impressive addition to a garden, giving it a cottage-country look. We’ve got a quick and easy guide on how to grow and prune rambling roses to help you maintain a flourishing and beautiful display of these climbing plants.

Whether you’re looking to add some character to your front garden for all to see, or simply want to enjoy the stunning flowers in your private garden at the back of your home, rambling roses are a charming choice.

But just like any other plant, they require proper care and maintenance in order to thrive.

Here's what we'll be covering:

The Difference Between a Rambling & Climbing Rose

Although they can look it, the beautiful display of flowers on archways, houses, and bushes may not be from the same family of roses.

Whether you're a seasoned anthophile or not, you might not be able to tell the difference at first glance or when you're buying your bare roots.

So, here is a brief look at both types of roses so you can decide what's best for you.

For more gardening advice, learn How to Plant Bedding Plants in the UK!

How to Grow a Rambling Rose

Step 1) Choosing Your Rambling Rose

There are many types of rambling roses, and before you select one, we think you should know a little about each.

Style, colour, and scent requirements differ from person to person, so without further ado, here are the roses:

Step 2) Soil Prep for Ramblers

The next step is prepping your soil ahead of planting your bare roots. But before that, you should select a spot that gets optimum sunlight.

Some types of rambling roses can tolerate a little shade, but mostly, at least 6 hours a day is good for your plants.

Rambling roses thrive in well-fertilised soil with good water retention and good drainage. If you think your soil is lacking these things, you should add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure.

Poor quality soil? Try our Revive Fertiliser, which contains beneficial microbes to help restore your soil’s natural balance.

Step 3) How & When to Plant Rambling Roses

Now you’ve got the perfect soil, it's time to dig the hole.

The best time of year to plant a rambler is the beginning of autumn or early spring when the plants are dormant.

You'll want to avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged, which is why we suggest against planting during the winter months. If you decide to plant in the summer, you'll need to keep your roses well-watered.

The hole should be about 60cm wide and deep enough to comfortably fit the roses' root ball. To improve soil fertility, loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost. Some rose fertiliser could also benefit your new plant.

If you opt for a container-grown rambler, you can plant at any time of the year.

Supporting the Growth of Ramblers

Rambling roses need something sturdy to latch on to and climb up, which is why it's best to position your rose next to a garden arbour, arch or fence. Use garden ties to secure the shoots as they grow.

If you want roses on a wall or fence, it's a good idea to use a trellis or strong galvanised wire, as they will not cling to the wall or fence themselves.

You should train the canes horizontally as they grow to encourage the plant to produce more flowers on the length of the cane.

How to Maintain a Rambling Rose

Once you’ve planted your ramblers, that doesn’t mean you can just leave them unattended! There’s a level of maintenance required – as with all plants – plus, you’ll need to prune the roses to encourage new growth and maintain a healthy, beautiful plant.

Onto the maintenance…

Watering Rambling Roses

Water your newly planted rose well to settle the soil around the roots. Continued watering is recommended, especially during dry periods.

Watering at the base is preferred because too much water on the leaves can lead to fungal diseases.

Our 10-litre Plastic Watering Can with a Rose Attachment is perfect for everyday gardening. Its ergonomic handle makes mundane jobs more comfortable and, therefore, enjoyable.

Pruning Rambling Roses

If you're wondering when to prune rambling roses, you should know that it isn't very frequent. The process also differs from how to prune climbing roses.

The best time to prune rambling roses is immediately after they finish flowering, which is typically in late summer. This allows the roses to develop new growth for next year.

Using garden tools like pruners or secateurs, you should start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged stems and cutting them back to healthy wood.

Rambling roses produce most flowers on younger wood, so aim to remove about a third of the oldest stems each year to allow space for new canes to grow.

Be sure to thin out crowded stems to allow better airflow and less rubbing, which can cause disease and damage.

Feeding Rambling Roses

If possible, feed the plant with rose fertiliser in early spring and after pruning in late summer.

You could also add compost to your soil after pruning to enhance the health of your blooms.

Pests & Diseases

Common problems with rambling roses include black spots, powdery mildew, and aphids.

To help reduce the chance of these things occurring, make sure you water as guided and give your plant plenty of space for air circulation.

Conclusion: Growing Ravishing Rambling Roses for Your Garden

And there we have it, everything you need to know to give your garden a floral makeover!

Whether you're looking to spruce up your outdoor arch or want to add an element of wildness to your garden, consider rambling roses.

With minimal effort, you can achieve a floral masterpiece without needing to be a professional horticulturalist!

Shop our products below for items you’ll need to grow your own rambling roses!

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