Rosa 'Dublin Bay'

Anywhere from 2.5m - 3m tall by 1.5m across.

Produces fruity scented dark vevet red blooms that average 10cm or so in diameter. In very warm areas this rose will flower all year but spring and summer are the main flowering times. Some flowers are produced on single stems but mostly in clusters and there is a light but noticeable fragrance. Dark green glossy foliage.

Dublin Bay will perform at its best in full sun with moist but well-drained soil. Good air circulation helps prevent pests and diseases.

Always choose healthy well grown plants and plant after autumn rains this ensures the plant can make good root growth before the following summer. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball add in plenty of organic matter or compost to the hole place the plant in the hole, but be careful not to plant too deep the bud union of the plant should always be above the surface so plant at the same depth as it was in the pot. Firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins. This will give the rose plenty of nutrients to establish itself quickly. If planting against a pergola or wall in a windy site make sure it is tied firmly but not too tight as to damage the stems. However, it probably won't require tying in until later after it has made some good growth.

Mulching helps to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds but keep mulching material away from plant stems. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertilizer such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Make sure the plant gets ample water throughout dry periods. A good rule of thumb is to give your roses one deep watering each week in dry times. This will ensure the roots look for water themselves. Check ties for chafing and constriction and loosen if required as the plant grows.

As for feeding your roses, most varieties will do very well with a single feeding in early spring when the leaves start to bud. Since Dublin Bay roses are repeat bloomers, you can feed them several times through the growing season to encourage additional blooms. Give a second feeding just as the first big bloom starts to develop and one more in the middle of the summer to promote later flushes. Use a quality fertiliser (preferably organic) which contains a balance of major nutrients (NPK) and trace elements. The fertiliser should be applied at least once a month or a small amount often with fortnightly applications of liquid seaweed over the foliage.

Pruning climbing roses is pretty easy and for the most part you are pruning for health and shape. Prune in June or July while the plants are dormant before the leaves open up as it will make it much easier to see what you are doing. 70% of the rose plant should be pruned. Always start off by removing the dead wood, along with any canes that look diseased, any very old wood can be removed back to the crown, and the bush pruned to shape. Cut back any lateral canes that overlap one another. Once the leaves open up these overlapping canes will compete with one another for sunlight. Also, cut back any canes that are growing beyond where you want and train the remaining canes to whatever support you are using. Shape the rose to whatever general shape you desire.

Take the opportunity to also rake up dead leaves and debris from around the base of the plant as these can lead to pests and diseases re-infecting your plant for the following season.

Deadhead regularly throughout the flowering period to help encourage more blooms.

The Dublin Bay climbing roses are highly resistant to diseases.

Rose Garden

The rose Dublin Bay was bred in 1975 by Samuel McGredy IV in New Zealand. The rose was created by crossing climbing rose Bantry Bay with climbing rose Altissimo.