Alphabetical Plant Listing

Pretty Roses and Clematis Combination Ideas (Part 2)

Clematis and Roses Combinations, Climbing Roses, Rambler Roses, Planting Roses and Clematis


Climbing roses and clematis are perfect companions. They happily share the same arch, trellis, pergola, doorway or garden wall, both reaching for the sun and providing a lush vertical floral display. They also have the same natural needs, require the same growing conditions (rich soil, moist, well-drained soils) and benefit from the same fertilizers. They often are of similar sizes with the result that neither swamps the other.

You also benefit from this companionship in terms of floral display. If both roses and clematis bloom during the same period, you get twice the flower power and enrich the color palette of one single garden spot. If you select roses and clematis with different flowering periods, you will be extending their spectacular color show over a longer period of time. In both cases, you win!

  • When pairing roses and clematis, you need to consider size, color, fragrance, and timing of their respective blooms. The diverse clematis family provides you with a wide choice in terms of flower size (large, small, single, double) and shapes (cross-shaped, bell-shaped, star-shaped), color (purple, blue, pink, red, white or bicolor), fragrance, disease-resistance.
  • Large-flowered clematis are rarely fragrant and may suffer from wilt, a disease specific to clematis. Small-flowered clematis usually have a profusion of smaller flowers, which may be scented, and are rarely affected by wilt. Therefore, you may want to consider them over the large-flowered ones.
  • Climbing roses also offer a wide array of possibilities in terms of color, flowers (single or double), fragrance, disease resistance, etc. Be sure to consider their mature size before selecting a rose variety. For instance, some climbing roses are far too tall for pillars or arches and should be grown into trees instead. Pay attention to their growth habit too. Some climbers are too stiff to be trained while others like ramblers, can be easily twisted thanks to their flexible canes.
  • Finally, a third criteria to consider is flowering. Generally, gardeners prefer reblooming varieties in order to enjoy a longer season of blossoms. However, once blooming climbing roses or ramblers often produce quantities of bloom far in excess of most repeat bloomers.

Learn how to create terrific combinations or get inspired by those presented below!

Guide Information

Plant Type Climbers, Roses
Plant Family Clematis, Rosa - Roses
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Landscaping Ideas Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Compare All Clematis Compare All Rosa - Roses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Clematis Great Plant Combination Ideas with Rosa - Roses Guides with Clematis Guides with Rosa - Roses

maya23k / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Climbers, Roses
Plant Family Clematis, Rosa - Roses
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Landscaping Ideas Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Compare All Clematis Compare All Rosa - Roses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Clematis Great Plant Combination Ideas with Rosa - Roses Guides with Clematis Guides with Rosa - Roses

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