Flowers will appear along the cane of a pegged rose.
Pegging is simply taking the arching canes of a large shrub rose and tying them back down to the ground, or even back to the plant itself.
We do this for a couple of reasons. First, it keeps the rose under control. Second, it creates more flowers – a LOT more flowers.
When a rose cane is trained horizontally all the little bud eyes along the cane send up new side shoots (also called laterals) and at the end of each one a rose bloom will appear.
The best way to get maximum flowers out of a large shrub rose is by pegging
It’s actually a lot easier than you think and the effect is wonderful. Watch the video below and we’ll show you a few different ways to do it.
Here are a few rules of thumb:
- It’s easiest to do this when the rose canes are young and pliable.
- If you try this with an older cane that seems resistant to bending do it in stages. Bend the cane as much as you can, secure it and in a few weeks try bending it a little more
- You can keep the rose tidy by trimming back the side shoots after each flowering just like you would on a climbing rose. See our page on Pruning Climbing Roses for more help.
- Make sure what you use to tie the rose with won’t cut into the cane. Don’t use materials like wire. Instead use plant tie or something soft.
For further information:
- Please read our Novice Corner article “Bloomin High“
Enjoy the video!
