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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2006 How to set up rose support structures The Washington Post Like a good prima donna, the old-fashioned climbing rose needs a lot of support. Single arches of metal, sleek wooden arches or free-standing pillars may hold up smaller modern hybrids, but they are not big or strong enough to support ramblers that can grow as much as 10 feet in one year. Plant the roses on the shadier end of the support so they will grow toward the sunlight. Here are some suggestions incorporating Nick Weber's tips: Arbors Use 10-foot wooden posts buried 2 feet and anchored in concrete. The posts should be at least 4 inches by 4 inches or, better yet, 6 by 6. Set them 8 feet apart and use 2-by-4 or 4-by-4 cross members. You can re-create Edwardian-era swags by placing the posts 8 feet on center. The posts are drilled through at the top to take a thick rope, at least an inch in diameter. The rope goes close to the top of the post and dips to 61„2 feet between posts. Fences Advertisement Roses are happier on railings and open fences than closed ones, where they get more light and air. Avoid areas where young children play because of the thorns. Wire trellis Weber has established a collection of climbing and rambling roses on a three-wire, high-tensile fence. He has 6-foot posts an additional 2 feet below ground spaced 8 feet apart. The posts are 4 by 4, and the end ones are reinforced with a brace. The wire is threaded through three holes drilled in each post, evenly spaced. He got his supplies from a fencing company called Kencove in Blairsville, Pa. www.kencove.com . Buildings Roses can be grown on the sunny side of any structure, but need a system of support. Wire can be strung on wall anchors, or a trellis constructed. Small, decorative trellises are not large enough for old climbing roses. Outbuildings can be used as supports without trellising, but building maintenance may become difficult. Plants Certain roses can be trained to grow in hedges and up trees. The flowers will appear on the south and west sides of the host plants. For trees, stiff-caned rose varieties are best, such as Mrs. Keays' Snowbush, Kiftsgate, Paul's Himalayan Musk and American Pillar. To get a rose established, plant it in a half whiskey barrel beneath the tree, filled with rich soil. In time, the rose roots will enter the ground and the barrel will rot away. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s Advertisement