Planting a rose and a clematis together

[ZuleikaJambiere]

We have a wooden fence along 2 sides of our garden which, at the moment, is functional and rather monotonous to look at. I am starting to plant a few climbers up it, to make it more attractive, and about 6 weeks ago planted a 'James Galway' climbing rose. I've since seen this rose and clematis on Pinterest, which I think is beautiful.

I don't know anything about clematis, and very little about roses, so would appreciate some advice and answers.

• if I plant a clematis next to the rose, will I disturb/damage its roots? If so, how far apart should I plant them?
• does one grow much faster than the other, and so possibly 'overpower' it?
• what about pruning? Can it be done together?
• can you recommend a clematis that would flower at the same time as the rose? (Which I can't seem to find out when it is). And can you recommend a supplier too please?

If it helps, the base of the plant will be almost permanently in the shade due to the fence, but above about a foot it gets sun all morning and for the early afternoon. Our soil is chalky, but that corner can get quite damp in winter. The fence is 6 foot tall.

Thank you in advance

You will probably need wires or a trellis fixed to the fence, to support climbing plants, as most - except for ivy - don't just cling on of their own accord.

Your link didn't work for me, but I've looked up James Galway on the David Austin site. There are two main classes of clematis, those you cut back each year, and ones that go on growing and only need 'tidying up' each year.

Clematis vary from big, brash flowers, to little delicate ones, so you will need to consider which you prefer. Also, a colour to blend with the rose, or a complete contrast to it?

The rose should have an extended flowering, as David Austin say it 'repeats well'. Most clematis only flower once a year, and at a consistent time for different varieties, though pruning can tempt some to have a second flush.

Probably, roses should be a metre from the fence, otherwise rain may not reach them. Clematis can maybe go a bit closer, and should be well mulched as their roots need to be cool, but a metre apart from the rose. For both, put in organic compost or rotted manure, and feed according to the suppliers instructions.

www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/english/Showrose.asp?Showr=4256

The Clematis Society should have most of the information you need:

www.britishclematis.org.uk/index.htm

If you need more help, come back sometime.

James Galway is a lovely pink rose

here are successful combinations you could choose the clematis from
a) rose new dawn (pale pink) and clematis etoile voilette (violet)
or rose leander with clematis warsaw nike
b) Rose buff beauty (yellow) and clematis marie boissolet (white)
c) Rose Munstead wood (maroon) with clematis polish spirit (purple)

Basically if you want them to flower together plant a repeat flowering scented climbing or rambling rose with a viticella clematis such as polish spirit or etoile violette for smaller flowers or a larger flowering clematis such as marie boissolet, hagley hybrid or president.

If you want the clematis to precede the rose then plant with an integrifolia or alpina, or avalanche, best not to plant with a montana as they can over power the rose

Although winter flowering clematis such as jingle bells would apparently be a good option to extend the flowering season in practice they are pruned at a different time so not so good.

Thank you for the brilliant responses, I'm going to google all those varieties now.

Sorry about the link, here it is again (hopefully) link

I have already got wires for the Rose to grow up (do I need to tie it to them, or will it hold on itself?), and now I'm wondering about the idea of planting them a couple of metres apart and training them towards each other, to
meet and mingle in the middle.

Right going back to read your suggestions in more detail, thank you

Tie the rose in with twine
Wires should be horizontal rather than vertical so the rose branches are bent over horizontally for better flowering

I have planted a clematis this year alongside an established climbing rose as it gets all it's roses at the top and it leaves a few metres of ugly stem with few leaves on it.

I bought an already pretty big variety from my local Frosts and it's already grown like mad intertwining with the stems, I'm delighted. Only problem is I though the rose was pink, it's actually yellow!! And I'm not convinced the pale pink flowers of the clematis are going to work as a colour combination .

I'll just have to see how it goes and hope it looks 'jolly and vibrant' as opposed to the classy, well-thought-out, carefully cultivated look I was aiming for

I love the maroon colour of the clematis Warsaw Nike, thank you for that suggestion funnyperson. Sebsmummy you've made me wonder if I should wait until next year to plant a clematis, just to check I've planted the right rose ...