I recently purchased Lavender Crush bare root. I want to use it off of the front of my deck to “climb” along the hand rail. However, where I need to plant it it is a tight fit between Darcy Bussell and Royal Kate. Could I squeeze it in there and just keep it pruned down low away from the others and let it climb out over the top? I am in Zone 5b.

I fell in love with the Lavender Crush photo on the label of three grafted 'body bag' roses at a big box garden center (um... that would be Walmart) in spring 2020. Although I don't generally opt for this format (ie, bagged) rose, I took a gamble on them, because I was intrigued by the idea of a lavender climber, with scent to boot, and helpmefind members had posted some great pictures, notably Marina, Justin, and Ben T. I planted two in the ground, and one in a pot. One of the in-ground roses turned out anemic and weak; it kept trying to grow, then the canes and shoots would die back. I kept cutting it shorter and shorter until after 2 months, it got the shovel. The other two, on the other hand, quickly put out robust growth, and in a short time, masses of citrus scented romantic blooms. Both plants performed like champs all season. One note is that the in-ground rose gets only about 4 hours of sun per day, and it blooms prolifically. Mind you, this is intense, high desert NM sun, so perhaps 4 hours of this type of sun is worth 5 or 6 in a more modest zone? (conjecture only, I know). Regardless, this is definitely a 'top of my list' variety, and I don't regret my detour into the big box that day that led me to these beauties.

Lemon fragrance can be smelled from up to 10 feet away. Some blackspot in my humid zone 7a Maryland, USA garden but otherwise healthy. 2nd year grafted plant.