Question
Hello,

I noticed that you live in Katy and am hoping you have some helpful info for someone new to 'gardening'.  

I live in Fairfield and have hopes of adding a somewhat large (www.ironaccents.com the Regal Arbor) across my front sidewalk and planting a climber on either side.  From what I can tell from what doesn't grow in the clay I call my 'soil', am guessing I will be adding a planter box of sorts to effect a raised bed on either side in which to plant the roses.  There is a small leafed ivy that grows well without any attention in my back yard that I thought I would plant on either end of the arbor for a softer look.

One of the yard maintenance business owners here suggested Joseph's Coat, but I am wondering if Don Juan is better suited for the arbor?  I don't want something that requires a lot of special attention as I am not yet into gardening and do need to travel for a week at a time periodically.  

Any suggestions?  I have the standard 2 tall pine trees on either side of my yard .. actually the photos of my house are still on the realtor's website if you want to take a look .. www.fairfield-neighbors.com .. house is under the SOLD section on Chappell Knoll Dr.  The yard never looked as good as the photo even when I first saw it.  The arbor would go across the front walk just inside the yard from the sidewalk.  This area gets more or less full sun all day long.

I so much appreciate your help!
Suzi

Answer
Hi Suzi-

Problem with the planters is that the soil gets dried out in them so fast in the summer - and especially with a large climber that needs lots and lots of water in the summer - I don't recommend the planters unless you can guarantee you or someone else will water the planters every 2 days in the summer.

The clay soil is actually better for roses than sandy soil.  A lot of Antique roses do quite well in the clay soil.  What you can do - is excavate a hole about 3 times the size of the rootball (or pot) and put in good rose soil - or even better the moisture control soil with the water conservation crystals.  I don't recommend buying a bare root rose for this area - generally they don't do well.  I recommend buying potted roses - either from the local nursery or from Chamblee's or the Antique Rose Emporium on the web or Teas Nursery or even Walmart.

Another thing you can do is make a raised bed - about a foot, so that way the rose will still have a lot of the roots under ground and won't dry out so bad.

Joseph's Coat will never get tall enough for an arbor - and it usually doesn't bloom much past spring anyway - so my choice would be Don Juan.  

Have fun smelling the roses-

Carlene