Question
Dear Lynette,

I would love to grow some climbing roses at the front of my house.  Unfortunately the front surface is concrete on stone, therefore I would need to make a stone trough to contain the rose.  Could you advise the depth and width a fifteen foot+ climber would need for healthy growth.    Many thanks.  Judy

Answer
Here are a few things to consider in regards to growing a climber in a container. A climber rose roots can go to 2 feet easily and even wider when planted in the ground. The type of climber that is best for a container is one that isn't a sport of a bush rose as they grow very large and mainly only bloom once. The problem you have to overcome in container planting is the heat factor on the roots which can cause disease problems very quickly, plus soil getting compacted and smothering the roots to death. Roses love, and grow best, when their roots are cool and damp and have good drainage. So it is a good idea to try and give them those conditions as close as you can.
You will need at least a 20 gallon size container (that is a half barrel size) or at least 2 feet wide and deep. The ideal would be 3 feet wide and deep. If it is to be made out of cement let it sit until the cement is completlely dry and don't forget to put a couple of 2 inch size drainage holes near the base where you can't see them. If drainage holes are out, then 3 inches of gravel is another idea, not as good but it does help with drainage.
Don't use garden soil as this contains insects and bacteria which when inclosed can cause a lot of trouble. Fill the container with a potting soil or you can make your own out of the following. Half peat moss and the other half vermiculite, 1/2 pound ground dolomite limestone and a cup of bonemeal. After planting the rose, sprinkle a 1/4 cup of slow release 14-14-14 Omocote fertilizer on the top and place a mulch of any kind over it. Then the rose will get some fertilizer every time you water and the mulch keeps the roots cool and saves on the constant watering a container takes, especially when it gets hot.
Another good idea when it is hot, is to also water down well the outsides of the cement container. Here are some climbers that bloom most of the season and look like a pillar instead of a spider. They also have good disease resistance:-
Aloha
Don Juan
Dublin Bay
Rhonda
These shrub roses grow to a good height, are fragrant, disease free and have many smaller blooms:-
Felicia
Bonica 82
David Austin roses (depending on your climate) can also make nice climbers:-
Aberaham Darby
Chales Austin
Yellow Charles Austin
Hope this helps. Lynnette