Ivy walls, between which mainly red rose flowers grow, are part of classic garden design. Not only climbing roses are planted between the ivy, but also shrub roses in front of ivy hedges. Even boring privacy walls can be perfectly staged.
How do I combine ivy and roses in the garden?
Ivy and roses are a popular combination in classic gardens because the ivy's dark green foliage accentuates the bright red rose petals. Ideal for partially shaded locations as facade greening or privacy hedges, roses should be planted in front of ivy and pruned regularly to avoid overgrowth.
Ivy and roses – red flowers and green leaves
Ivy forms long tendrils with dark green or medium green leaves depending on the location. The bright flowers of roses stand out particularly well against these colors. They seem to shine even more colorfully.
So it's no wonder that the combination of ivy and roses has long been very popular, especially in classic and romantic gardens.
For which locations are ivy and roses suitable?
Shrub roses need more sun than climbing roses and ivy. For facade greening or the creation of privacy hedges made of roses and ivy, you should choose semi-shady locations.
When planting shrub roses in front of ivy, you must make sure that the ivy is watered sufficiently. It is best to water using a watering can. Otherwise the roses get too wet, which promotes the formation of mildew.
Ivy, like climbing roses, requires a trellis (€76.00 at Amazon). This should be as stable as possible, as the weight of the tendrils can be considerable over time. It is better not to plant ivy directly on the wall, as the roots can damage facades.
Give the roses a head start
Even if ivy doesn't grow quite as quickly in the first two years, it is advisable to plant the roses one to two years earlier than the ivy. The roses can then strengthen themselves and will not be so quickly overgrown by ivy later.
Prune ivy regularly
Cut ivy back at least once a year. This doesn’t just serve to strengthen the plants. If ivy is not cut back, there is a risk that it will entangle the roses and deprive them of light and air.
Tip
The combination of roses and ivy is not so suitable in predominantly shady locations. In this case, it is better to switch to clematis, clematis. It tolerates shady locations better than roses.
