Oueen Elizabeth’ as a hedge
Bush and miniature types do not present much difficulty, but in order to accommodate a climbing rose that can easily make 10ft (3m) tall in open ground, you have more than difficulty. First, the container will have to be large in order to take the root run without undue restriction – I would suggest something of the order of 20-24 inches (50-60cm) deep and as wide. It will need to be well provided with drainage holes, and the growing medium will have to be capable of retaining moisture without holding it unduly and becoming a soggy mess. The compost mix suggested for the miniature tubs above would be suitable, except that I would reduce the nutrient content by using John Innes No. 1, because it will be necessary not to encourage this climber to grow too well. The quantity involved is not small, and without access to garden soil, there presumably is no alternative to buying it in, which will not be cheap. In addition, the 10ft (3 m) average height for this variety will be growing from soil already 2ft (0.6 m) above ground level, and you should therefore be prepared to see some stems reaching beyond `round the door’.
Apart from size and height, the important difference that affects cultivation is the necessarily shallow depth of the root system and the susceptibility therefore to drying out. With their suitability to pot and container growing, the risk is greater, and so is the need to be careful to see that it does not happen.
Moisture-retentive organic content in the growing medium is therefore more important than it is with the bigger types that can search down more deeply.
Evidently you will have to buy this in as well, so a good idea would be to use granulated moss peat, and to take extra care of the trace element situation by spraying it or sprinkling seaweed extract into it every few months.
Every single piece has to go on the fire. Clear out fallen leaf with the rake, and burn the lot. Finally, bear in mind that this hedge could become an ideal over-wintering rest home for aphids and all the other pests of the rose.
Size, however, is one of the problems here, and there is something to be said therefore for allowing this plant to divert some of its energy into producing a hip display for the autumn and winter.
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