The minimum size of a suitable container is 18" wide by 18" high by 18" deep (45cm x 45cm x 45cm). In picking a container, metal or any material that conducts heat should be avoided. Stick with pottery, plastic or a long lasting wood like teak.  

A potting soil with a high content of coarse peat moss will help retain moisture but also provide sufficient drainage. Proper support is very important. If you are going to grow your clematis against a wall, a trellis of some sort is required. In lieu of a trellis sweet pea netting stapled to a fence or wall serves as an inexpensive and effective support. If you wish to have your container free standing, a tripod of bamboo or cedar stakes works very well.  Or, you can choose one of the metal or heavy-duty plastic or wood obelisks now available.

Tips for Supporting Vines in Containters

A tripod of strong canes makes a good free standing support. Many different trellises or obelisks work equally well.  A tower structure like an obelisk is often heavy and wide enough to go around the pot diameter.  If the vine and it's pot are put into a larger decorative container, this works well.  If put against a wall, it will withstand wind, too.  If your container is large enough, annuals or a ground cover can be planted on the surface. Feed and water often to encourage blooms all summer. The root ball should be in the center of the container. Use a good potting soil. Be sure to allow good drainage.

Planting Garden Roses in Containers

A chorus line of containerized roses

Choose rose varieties that are naturally compact.  Select a rose that will stay in scale with the container without much heavy pruning (see a list of the best roses for pots below).

In terms of size, 24 to 36-inch-wide containers are ideal. For durability, lean toward cast stone or molded resin containers. While the popular half-whiskey barrels are a good size, they tend to decompose in wet climates unless they are heavily treated with preservatives.  Teak is a better wood for durable planters.

Follow the planting steps 2 through 5 above for clematis.  Miniature rose climbers are also suitable for containers, and may require a small trellis or obelisk.  See the Selecting Roses article for Miniature Climbers - in the Climbing Roses section.

Compact Roses for Containers

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