Rose Umbrellas

Standard or weeping roses are grafted high onto a rose root stock resulting in extra height – normally 1m for a standard rose (such as ‘Buff Beauty’) and 1.4m for a weeping rose (such as ‘Canary Bird’). Both types of rose benefit from the support of a Standard Rose Umbrella to support their heavy heads of flowers; they also flower better if they are trained horizontally. Like all roses they benefit from being grown in rich soil in full sun.

A standard rose is best grown through a metal rose umbrella. The umbrella is positioned alongside the stem of the rose and pushed in until the head of the umbrella touches the spreading branches of the rose. The new growth comes through the top of the umbrella and is tied to the spokes; this protects the heavy head from breaking during heavy wind and rain and encourages more flowers.

Once the rose has finished flowering, cut the flowering stems back to about 5cm above the umbrella (this can be done in late summer or winter, roses are very tolerant of pruning) In spring, tie in the new growth horizontally for a standard or allow weeping roses to arch over and down tying them round the edge of the umbrella.

Wisterias make wonderful standards with huge, heavy heads of flowers. Early training is essential. Plant the wisteria in its final position and place a metal wisteria umbrella alongside the stem, pushing or hammering in well until the umbrella is at about 1.5m above ground. You have to be ruthless in removing sideshoots in the first year of planting allowing only one strong stem to grow to a height of about 1.5m; prune the tip of the stem and, as the shoots grow from the top, begin to train them around the umbrella. Prune twice a year (in July and February) to keep the growth short and manageable.

Our 2m metal standard wisteria support is designed with wisterias in mind. It will provide strong support for the growing plant and a framework for training it. Wisterias are very prone to damage by wind and rain in their early years so a solid metal support is essential and continues to provide a framework for training a mature standard.