What are the pros and cons of treating a climber as a shrub?Updated a month ago

Growing certain climbers as shrubs for cut flower production is a great way to get that long stem length that garden roses can often lack. Treating a climbing rose as a shrub has other benefits as well. It can be an effective way to adapt these plants to smaller spaces or specific garden designs. However, it requires thoughtful pruning and care. Here's a breakdown of the pros, cons, and some best practice tips if you want to try it in your garden: 

Pros:

1. They Are Excellent As Cut Flowers: Thanks to their long stems, particularly in David Austin varieties such as Wollerton Old Hall, Crown Princess Margareta, Graham Thomas, and Teasing Georgia.
2. Maximizing Small Spaces: Pruning a climbing rose to remain compact lets you enjoy its vibrant beauty and energy, even in places too small for a full-sized climber.
3. Improved Air Circulation: A more compact shape can help reduce the risk of fungal diseases by promoting better airflow around the foliage.
4. Increased Blooms: With proper pruning, many climbers can produce more flowers when kept shorter, as the plant may focus energy on blooming rather than excessive growth.
5. Ease of Maintenance: A shorter plant is easier to prune, spray, fertilize, and deadhead.
6. Design Flexibility: A short climber can be used as a feature plant in mixed borders or as a backdrop without overwhelming neighboring plants.

Cons:

1. Restricts Natural Growth Habit: Climbers naturally want to grow tall and spread out. Forcing them into a shorter form can be labor-intensive and requires consistent pruning so they don't become a mangled mess.
2. Reduced Overall Vigor: Over-pruning to control size can weaken the plant over time if done too aggressively with certain varieties.
3. Potential Loss of Character: Some climbers have arching canes or cascading habits that are best appreciated at their natural height.
4. Limited Use of Structural Support: The rose won't benefit from climbing up a trellis or wall, which could have helped in showcasing its full potential.
5. Lower Flower Coverage: Depending on the rose variety, blooms may concentrate on the tips of the canes rather than throughout the plant.

To successfully grow and manage a climbing rose as a compact shrub, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Start by selecting the right variety—smaller, less vigorous climbers like Cécile Brunner or Lady Banks are much easier to control than robust types such as New Dawn. Regular pruning is crucial to maintain a tidy size. After the first flush of blooms, trim back tall canes and cut lateral shoots down to 2-3 buds to encourage a compact shape and continuous flowering. In winter, remove old or unproductive canes to sustain a manageable form.

Training the canes horizontally along low structures not only keeps the plant compact but also encourages lateral growth and abundant blooming. Mulch with compost to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce stress on heavily pruned plants. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases—denser growth in some smaller climbers can sometimes attract issues like aphids or fungal infections. 

For added versatility, consider using compact climbers as transition plants in your garden. They create a beautiful middle layer between taller plants and ground-level perennials or shrubs, adding depth and harmony to your borders. With these steps, you'll keep your climbing rose healthy, beautiful, and perfectly sized for your space.

By treating a climbing rose as a shrub, you can enjoy its blooms in a more compact form, but it requires commitment to pruning and maintenance to ensure the rose stays healthy and productive. This approach works particularly well if you want the look of a full rose shrub with the romantic touch of climbing rose blooms and want to grow more beautiful stems to cut and enjoy!