One, two, three climbers or more??

[cathyandclare]

I'm planning an archway in a hedge in the garden which will lead to a separate wildflower/secret garden (eventually). It's in the middle of the garden, so pretty sunny and clay soil. I want to plant climbers over it. Having lurked and learned from you wise gardeners on here was thinking about a Mme Alfred Carriere David Austin rose, so should I plant one or more of those, or should I mix it with a honeysuckle or clematis?

Despite my big plans, i am an utterly clueless gardener {blush]

And not too good at emoticons either!!

That looks like quite a big climbing rose to me! Depending on the size of the arch and whether you want it to grow in the hedge as well, it may be a bit too big?

The David Austen website has a section which shows roses that are specifically recommended for arches: www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/specific-situations/arches?___SID=U . A lot of these don't have many thorns, which is quite useful if you're growing them on an arch that you're planning to walk under.

In terms of numbers, I'd go for one climber on each site of the arch. Rose and clematis makes a nice combination, but again don't go for a huge clematis like a clematis Montana.

I've actually just installed an arch in my garden and have been giving this particular dilemma way too much thought! I'm going for a combination of Rose Teasing Georgia and Clematis Belle Etoile.

Mme Alfred Carriere is a lovely rose, but will cover your arch in a season and then swamp it completely. You could then train it to grow along the hedge, depending on the kind of hedge you have. You certainly don't need more than one!

I wouldn't plant honeysuckle with it, as it is pretty rampant too and will probably make a bit of a tangled mass which will be a bit difficult to handle.

If you want to put a clematis, then I would go for one of the Group 3 ones that you cut down almost to the ground every year, I think that would make it easier to handle than trying to prune the rose and the clematis when they are growing through each other.

Have you considered jasmine? It's really lovely for an arch too.

How wide is the gap going to be? Soil around a hedge will be quite dry so I guess it will have to be quite wide. I think a thornless rose either side would look lovely.

Lots of great advice thanks! It's. A big area so I think the arch will be about 2 metres. Access through the arch not a massive priority, although sensible to be able to get through without being scrammed to bits!!!