'Graham Thomas' flowers prodigiously and, on balmy summer evenings, its delicious spicy scent hangs in the air, the product of masses of tubular one and a half inch flowers. The white flowers turn yellow and are often flushed with red. When they are over, bright red berries appear. A vigorous climber, it may reach over 20 feet tall if left unchecked: prune it back after flowering to strong young shoots. It grows happily in sun or partial shade in humus rich, moist but well drained soil, but in shade, is less liable to aphid attack.
Propagation: Take greenwood cuttings in summer. Take hardwood cuttings in autumn. |
Sweet pea lovers will be attracted to this herbaceous, perennial, Southern European climber, but disappointed that it is scentless. A delightful plant, perfect for trailing over a bank or training through shrubs to give a foliage border a lift. Its typical pea-like flower stalks have up to ten flowers in each. These appear from summer to early autumn and are usually a vivid magenta pink, less frequently paler pink. The perennial pea thrives in fertile soil, humus rich and well drained, in full sun or dappled shade, but needs support if grown up a wall or fence. Varieties are L latifolius 'Blushing Bride', with white flowers flushed with pink, and pure white L latifolius 'White Pearl'.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in cold frame in early spring. Divide in early spring. |
If you have been searching for a long flowering, attractive, scented rose with glossy foliage, the American floribunda climber Golden Showers may be the plant for you. It has charming, slightly scented, double yellow flowers, shiny dark leaves, and an upright form of growth. It flowers from summer to autumn, and performs equally well as a climber or a free standing shrub, tolerates poor soils and is fairly resistant to disease. It is ideal for training up a wall or fence. This reliable and sturdy rose should reach about ten feet with a six foot spread when it is quite fully grown, provided that it is given an open position in full sun and moderately fertile, humus rich soil, moist but well drained.
Propagation: Root hardwood cuttings in autumn. Bud in summer. |
