DH built a trellis over our garage last year. I currently have a large pot between the garage doors with a vine (orange tubular flowers? Honeysuckle maybe?)in it, which has done NOTHING. In fact, I think it may have d i e d. We'll see in the spring.

Anyhoo, I'd like to take it out and put in climbing roses. The garage side faces southwest, so mostly afternoon sun. Is that enough?? Will the roses live in a pot?? Do you think it's a good idea being near the garage doors?

Anyone had any experience with them?

Not all climbing roses are the same. I have a peace climber that has a stem as big around as my upper arm...it is going this year. It is at the west side of our carport and would cover the entire roof if I didn't keep it trimmed back...several times during the summer. I don't think that one would live in a pot but there are other smaller varities. Don't think I would want one close to where it could scratch a vehicle though. And most climbers don't bloom all year, some are just a one time in the spring and done for the year.
Your orange vine sounds like a trumpet vine. Those can be invasive here.

Thanks for your reply. So, I guess it's not a good idea. I was thinking bees may be a problem also.

"Climbing" roses are really Rambling roses. These are plants that grow really long canes and they blossom best if the canes are more horizontal than vertical.
http://www.spokane-county.wsu....ing%20Roses%2005.pdf

Agree and some are extremely aggressive. I dug up and tossed a David Austin last spring. It was beautiful when it bloomed but it only bloomed in the spring....the rest of the time it grew and grew and grew. The canes would touch the ground or spread out like an octopus. I could not keep up with the pruning required to keep it from eating up it's assigned space. PLUS, hubby whined and whined because it would reach out and grab him each time he was on the rider.

A well behaved tea rose might work in your spot but definitely not a climber...or rambler. Like GaKaren said, those also only bloom in the spring...with a late spurt sometimes in the fall.

ve

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I could not keep up with the pruning required to keep it from eating up it's assigned space. PLUS, hubby whined and whined because it would reach out and grab him each time he was on the rider.

These are 2 reasons mine is getting ripped out this spring. I hope I can get it out of there without tearing down the carport!

Alrighty then. I guess the roses are out.

Maybe I'll just put annuals in the pot and forget about the trellis (that I made DH build because "it'll look so beautiful with flowers growing all over it.")I'm in trouble

Wanda, don't give up on finding a vine that may work as there are lots of choices depending of course on your climate.

Here's one site that gives some ideas: http://gardening.about.com/od/...p/Vines_Climbers.htm

There are also annual vines that might work well. We've grown Scarlet Runner beans just for the vines and red flowers. I also love Sweet Peas but have not had much success with them. Must try them again. Here are some annual vine choices: http://gardening.about.com/od/...-Flowering-Vines.htm

Annual vines might work because they will grow fast. We get wild morning glory (that is invasive) but they come up every year and just grow like crazy. I am always pulling them out but I let a couple grow. I also grow the hyacinth bean vine and save some pods each year. I'm sure those are probably invasive as well but they sure are pretty.

Also, I don't know what your zone is but maybe jasmine. I have confederate jasmine that is in a really large pot and it's doing well. I've had it in the pot since last spring and it's done well through the winter (zone 7) and still has it's leaves. So far so good anyway.

I thought about an annual vine, but I don't want to have to pull all the vines off the trellis after it's done.

Right now I can't even see the pot there's 30 inches of snow on top of it.

Spanish Flag (Mina Lobata) would also be a great choice. It doesn't begin blooming until late August but the multi-colored flowers stay on the vine until Frost. It's not that hard to remove the vines; just wait until a few weeks after frost and you can pull them right off.