Big Rose Needs Support
I've been eager to jump into some of the projects in my garden that will require my woodworking abilities, and although I've dabbled a bit over the winter and planned, it's time to really get busy!
The first project is this climbing rose, 'Zephirine Drouhin' next to the driveway.
As you can probably see, it's getting in the way. About 12' (3.6m) wide right now...
...and really blocking the driveway! Sure it's thornless, but still an irritation. (Weird that the deer don't really eat this one, but I'm thankful.)
It's hanging into my neighbor's yard the same amount approximately, as the pole supports I added a couple of years ago...
...are no longer adequate -- this big plant just keeps pushing them over.
So I'm building a sturdy, permanent support. I don't really know what it will look like yet, but I do know the most important part:
It will use these 4x4 posts.
The required tools:
The result of some manual labor:
(Post holes are the only holes that photograph well)
Here's a pro tip if you ever use a post hole digger and need holes dug of specific depth (which is almost always the case):
Add depth markings to one of the handles (if they don't already have them). Saves so much time!
The post level is also a time saver:
And the end result after two holes and a bag of fast-setting concrete:
I'll be staining the posts a darker color, but I already like the way the plant combines with the new "structure".
Next week I'll be showing you my final design and how I arrived at it, then building the rest of this support. Fun stuff!
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We all need a little support to do our best. :)
I'm in the St. Louis area too. My Zephrine Drouhine is going into its second year this spring. I am wondering if your Zephrine blooms more than once a year. In the catalog description said it was a continuous bloomer. Last year mine only bloomed once, but it was loaded with beautiful roses the whole length of each cane. Those canes do get long, don't they. Mine arch over and look beautiful when they are blooming. I don't mind the floppy canes and I love that they don't have thorns. My Zephrine doesn't have as much fragrance as the Christopher Marlowe rose that I have.
Looking forward to seeing the support you build for your Zephrine D.
Hoov: Yes, but we don't all need concrete. :)
Susie: Mine only blooms once a year, with a few sporadic blooms later. Maybe in climates with less harsh summers it blooms regularly? Or maybe once they're older they bloom more?
Good luck with the taming. I have Z drouihin and every year I threaten to cut it down. In fact one year I did because its long arching branches are always in our face. I have never managed to get it to look like the pictures i see of it. Yes, it has the most fragrant blooms and a gorgeous cerise color but most of the year it looks pretty bad.
Nice..Can't wait to see the outcome:)
"Holey" moly Batman you dig a mean post hole! Looking forward to seeing the end result. You always make such interesting supports for your plants.