Popular Picks For Your Rose Flower Garden
Although roses, in general, are much in demand, some roses are more popular than others and may even be easier to grow in your garden. Here are some of the types of roses that grace the rose flower garden of many an avid gardener:
Hybrid Teas (Hybrid Perpetuals + Tea Roses) have been around since the 1800s. They are very fragrant and well-formed with large buds. A single shapely flower blooms at the end of each long, sturdy stem. These roses are, however, high maintenance and need a lot of care. Touch of Class, Pristine, Irish Elegance.
Floribunda (Hybrid Teas + Polyanthas) are easier to cultivate than the hybrid teas; they are very vigorous and resilient. The roses bloom simultaneously in profusion in dense clusters or in sprays and are very colorful. The shrubs are small, stiff, and bushy. Most of these roses do not have any fragrance. Simplicity, Anabell, Iceberg, Little Darling.
Polyanthas, a combination of two wild roses (Rosa multiflora & Rosa chinensis), repeatedly bloom from spring to fall. They are short, small bushes and have tiny blooms in clusters or large sprays. These roses require very little maintenance as they are disease-resistant and very hardy. White, pink, red, yellow, and orange, are the most common colors. The Fairy, Elizabeth Navarro, China Doll.
Grandiflora, a cross of Hybrid Teas & Floribundas, are over a hundred years old and larger than both. They bloom in small clusters. Although they were initially the favorite of many, their popularity slowly declined over time giving way to the hybrid teas and floribundas. Gold Medal, Dublin, Double Delight.
Miniature Roses are twiggy shrubs that grow to a maximum height of 36 inches. They flower repeatedly throughout the year and exhibit colors and shapes similar to the hybrid teas. They are much smaller than the regular roses but extremely tolerant and resilient. They can be grown as climbers, trailers, micro-minis (height: 6-12 inches), and miniflora that have tiny blooms of ¼ to 1 inch in size. Holy Toledo, Irresistible, Giggles.
Heritage Roses as their name portrays are antique roses which had been discovered hundreds of years ago and proud owners sometimes offer their roses in exchange for other heritage roses or sometimes even offer to sell at a very high price. Very little maintenance is required as they can survive even the toughest droughts and are usually resistant to the common diseases that afflict roses. They flower frequently in clusters and have large and decorative rose hips. Both the flowers and the foliage are beautiful. Crested Moss, Apothecary’s Ross, Nastarana.
Rugosas, Hybrid musks (Trier + Hybrid teas), and other Shrub Roses are known for their extreme hardiness, disease-resistance, and drought-tolerance. Rugosas especially tolerate many types of soil and can even withstand salt sprays making them ideal for coastal areas. Some are repeat bloomers while others bloom only once a year. The blooms are usually large and very fragrant. The scent of Hybrid musks is known to travel quite a distance. They grow up to 8 feet and do well even in partial shade.
Happy Rose Gardening!
Old Garden Rose – A Vintage Collection
The Old Garden Rose is an antique and is much sought after by rose lovers all over the world. The most popular varieties go back many centuries. They are known to be more disease-resistant and requiring lesser care than their modern counterparts. Mixing and matching the best varieties have, over the years, produced newer and even more famous hybrids. Here are some of the most-wanted varieties of the Old Garden Rose.
Alba Rose (Rosa canina + Rosa gallica), also known as ‘White Rose’, is best suited for climate zones 3-10. It can be trained to be a climber. It is highly disease-resistant and fairly easy to maintain. It has a dense but soft, blue-gray foliage, with pale blooms that flower on year-old wood. Konigin von Danemark (1826), Alba Semi-Plena (before 1867).
Ayrshire Rose (Rosa arvensis) is a climber and blooms once a year. It is also called ‘Field Rose’ and has vigorous growth when allowed to grow in the wild. It thrives in climate zones 5-10.
Boursault Rose does not have thorns and grows well even in poor soil. It was developed in France as a rambler and thrives in climate zones 6-9. These slightly fragrant, semi-doubled roses bloom just once a year.
Damask Rose (Rosa phoenica + Rosa Gallica) blooms repeatedly and has a very intense and high fragrance. They are small shrubs that grow up to 6’ in height with large foliage. The double or semi-double flowers are usually pink or white. These roses are ideal for potpourri and are used to create rose perfume attar. They grow best in climate zones 3-10. Leda (1827), Ispahan (before 1802).
Centifolia Rose (Rosa damascena + Rosa alba) was developed as a hybrid in the Netherlands and is commonly known as the ‘Cabbage Rose’ as it has more than one hundred petals. It survives the harshest of winters and stands 4-8 feet tall. It has thorny canes and very large and showy pink flowers that bloom once a year. It is ideal for climate zones 5-10. Cabbage Rose (1596) and Rose de Meaux (the dwarf centifolia) (1789).
Noisette Rose is the only class of roses that was developed in the United States of America. Large rambling shrubs produce long blooming and fragrant flowers in attractive clusters. They grow up to 20 feet and have pliable canes. The ideal climate zones for this variety are 7-9. Nastarana (1879) Marechal Niel (1864.)
Hybrid China Rose is a repeat bloomer and is suited to climate zones 7-10. It requires protection during winter months. The flowers are mostly fragrant and bloom in clusters on weak canes. They are small shrubs and stand 18 inches to 3 feet tall. Green Rose (1845) and Mutabilis (1896).
Bourbon Rose (Autumn Damask + China) is very fragrant and blooms repeatedly. It is said to be the first cultivated rose. It stands 2-15 feet tall and is ideal for hedges or as climbers. It blooms on old wood. The best climate zones for this rose are 5-9. Souvenir de la Malmaison (1843), Louise Odier (1851).
Portland Rose is supposed to have originated from Autumn Damask. It blooms repeatedly on short and compact plants that grow to a height of 4 feet. These double –rose flowers are fragrant and appear to be seated on the foliage. The Portland Rose has declined over the years and there are less than 20 available now. Comte de Chambord (1860), Rose du Roi (1815).
A Guide To Growing Roses From Seed
Growing roses from seed is definitely not an easy task but certainly worth the effort. There are many different methods propagated by gardeners in different parts of the globe. Here are three tried and tested methods which are guaranteed to give you good results.
Method 1
When rose hips start appearing, they resemble rose buds but become bigger and harder. Snip off the rose hips when they dry out and begin to crack open; they are usually brown in color at this stage. Remove the seeds immediately and clean out the pulp. Fill a plastic tray with planting mix and bury the seeds about a quarter of an inch deep and cover with sand. Water deeply but ensure that the mix is moist and not soaking wet. Cover the tray with a plastic wrap and store in your refrigerator for ten to twelve weeks, and then shift to a warmer temperature. About 70 to 80% of your seeds will not sprout but the ones that do germinate have a good chance of reaching maturity. Remove the plastic wrap and water deeply and place a clean glass bottle over each new seedling. Mulch around the bottle and leave it through the winter. In early spring, the seedlings will be ready for transplant. Make sure you don’t touch the roots while transplanting as they are very fragile and may break off. You can feed seedlings with half strength fertilizer. They need lots of sunlight. Spraying the seedlings with a light fungicide will prevent fungal infections.
Method 2
Snip off rose hips when they are mature and don’t wait for them to dry out. Place the rose hips in a paper bag and store in a dark and cool but dry place throughout the winter months. When spring comes around, put a few peat moss pellets in a plastic tray and add water. The pellets will absorb the water and grow in size. Let it soak overnight and in the morning, plant each rose hip about a quarter inch deep in separate peat moss planters. Spread some peat moss lightly over the rose hip and make it airtight. Put back in tray and place it in sunlight and allow water to drip continuously. The seeds will begin to sprout in 9 – 14 days. After another two weeks, you could mix the water with a mild solution of liquid fertilizer. Then the seedlings are ready for transplantation.
Method 3
When rose hips are yellow, orange, or red in color, snip them off the rose bush and remove the seeds. Rinse the seeds to get rid of the pulp, wrap them in a moist paper towel, and place them in an airtight plastic bag. Store the bag in a fridge for the next 4 – 5 weeks. After that, check the seeds every week for tiny root tips that will start appearing. When you see the root tips, transfer the seedlings to pots and cover with ¼ inch soil. Water and keep the pots in room temperature. The seeds will sprout over several months.
The most common problems faced by seedlings are ‘damp-off’ and ‘powdery mildew’. You can avoid ‘damp-off’ by
- using sterile soil
- moderate watering
- spraying a copper-based fungicide after the plant comes up
Always remove diseased seedlings. The rose bushes will start blooming from the second year and will reach maturity in the third year. It is said that seedlings are always a brand new variety so you may end up discovering a new class of rose!
How To Choose Roses To Grow
Many a veteran gardener hesitates when it comes to starting a rose garden because of the inherent difficulties in choosing the right variety and in caring for the plants throughout the year. This does not mean that you cannot get your roses to grow; all it takes is a little bit of planning before you start your garden.
Step 1 – Soil Test
You need to check your soils pH balance for acidity / alkalinity. The ideal soil pH balance for roses is anywhere between 5.3 and 7.0 depending on the type of rose. For testing your soil you will need a spade, a few bottles of distilled water, and a calibrated and very clean pH tester. Dig a small hole about 2 to 4 inches deep, in at least 6 different spots in your garden where you plan to plant your roses. The 6 measurements will help you arrive at the average pH of your entire rose garden. Now fill the first hole with distilled water and wait for the water to drain out and then add some more until you see a puddle at the bottom of the hole. Dip the tester into the mud and keep it there for a minute. Repeat the procedure in all the other holes. If the pH readings are similar you can take the average of all 6 measurements. If you find that one spot is drastically different from the others, you will need to consult your nursery on how to treat it. A pH of 7.0 means you have neutral soil, less than 7.0 indicates acidity and more than 7.0, alkalinity.
Step 2 – Select the best roses for your climate zone
Roses can grow anywhere but they thrive in warm temperatures with the occasional light breeze. Your nursery will be able to guide you on the roses best suited to your weather conditions. Wild roses definitely are the best choice for very cold climates as they are very sturdy and survive the harshest winters with very little maintenance. If you live in the USA, you can find your climate zone using the USDA Plant Hardiness Map http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html.
Step 3 – Decide on the type of rose you wish to grow
There are two choices you need to make before you bring your rose plant home.
The first is whether you want it to blossom repeatedly through the year or if you will be content with annual blooms. The most popular roses are Alba, Gallica, Damask, Centifolia, and Moss which flower once a year, and China, Portland, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual, and Tea which have frequent blossoming cycles throughout the year.
The second is whether you want a climber or a shrub. If you are looking at decorating your hedges or trellis with roses, a climber is a good choice.
Whichever type you opt for, make sure you insist on only disease-resistant varieties.
If you plan your rose garden well, the efforts you will have to take in planting, watering, pruning, and feeding your roses will not be a wasted effort.
If you happen to be one of those unfortunate few who started a rose garden without planning, don’t give up hope – rescuing your roses can be done with a little effort and care. Speedy diagnosis and treatment of diseases, interspersing your garden with other plants to deter bugs, and using appropriate fertilizers, will soon rejuvenate your plants.
Where Roses Grow Wild
Botanists claim that the rose is the oldest species in the plant kingdom and is known to have existed even prior to the evolution of mankind. The rose we are talking about here is not the manmade or the naturally created hybrid, but the really wild rose (botanical name: Species rose) that grows almost everywhere and does not require much maintenance. The true wild rose is not a bush but a tree and it’s stems are 2 to 3 ft. long. It has just 5 petals and is predominantly pink, and sometimes white, red, or yellow. It is not very difficult to distinguish between the authentic wild rose and the many naturally evolved & manmade hybrids that grow in abundance all over the world but many hybrids are still wrongly identified as ‘wild’. Asia (mostly China), North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean, are where roses grow wild in total abandon.
If you want a rose garden and at the same time don’t want to spend too much time caring for it, you should pick up a wild rose plant from your nursery. Wild rose plants are very sturdy and can survive the toughest of winters and are highly resistant to weeds, bugs, and the common diseases that afflict most of the hybrid varieties. Hybrids are those lush roses in vibrant colours with many layers of petals. When compared to the hybrids the wild rose may seem rather tame! But, although the wild rose has just 5 petals (the climbers), and in some cases 7 petals (the ramblers), it blooms in abundance and is quite a beautiful sight. Rugosa Rose and Multiflora Rose are used in landscaping all over North America. The only drawback is that the truly wild rose blooms only once a year during early summer and just for two weeks. Most avid rose lovers prefer the hybrids as they can enjoy the roses throughout the year.
There are at least 100 basic native varieties of the wild rose found all over the world. The most famous ones are Musk Rose (Mediterranean & the Himalayas), Cherokee (or) MaCartney Rose (North America), Chestnut Rose (China), Rugosa rose (Japan), and the Scotch Yellow rose and Dog rose (Britain). Wild roses are a delicacy for many birds (cardinals, thrushes) and animals (deer, bears, squirrels, coyotes), and wild rose hips are much in demand for their anti-oxidant properties, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.
It is difficult to grow the plant from seeds, so it would be best for you to buy the plant itself. As it is highly resilient, it does not need any care except for it’s weekly watering and annual pruning of dead wood. Ideally, the plant would benefit with soil that has good drainage as the roots tend to rot in wet soil. Wild roses can survive very cold temperatures, are fragrant, and grow in abundance with very little care.
With practically no effort on your part, the edge of your lawn could very well be where roses grow wild!
Happy Rose Gardening!
Rose Bush Care
Roses are one of the most alluring flowers we have. There are over 100 species of rose and they have been entwined in man’s history for a very long time. Anyone can learn about rose bush care and produce beautiful blooms and keep healthy plants for many years. The rose has a reputation of being difficult to maintain but this is simply not true. With the correct information you will be able to enjoy the satisfaction of growing wonderful blooms that will be the envy of your friends.
Like children and pets we need to care for our plants and not neglect them. Taking the time to learn some basics of gardening will pay dividends and make your rose growing efforts rewarding and easy.
Choosing the correct variety of rose for your situation is important and is best done with the advice of a local nusery or a local rose enthusiast. There are so many to choose from and of course some of it depends on your personal taste in color and style. Usually you’ll find that the place you go to buy your rose bush will have only varieties suitable to your area with the choice getting back to your garden and it’s layout in relation to the sun and soil.
Roses like sun so you need to have a place in your garden or on your terrace if you live in an apartment, that gets plenty of sunlight. Most varieties need about six hours of direct sun a day while some do well with as little as four. This is where you’ll need to do some home work and determine the best place for your rose and how much sunlight that area gets. Once you know this you can have a meaningful conversation with the local nursery staff about rose variety choice.
Soil is another important factor as it provides the nutrients for the plants survival. If you are concerned about your soil it’s easy enough to have it tested just to be sure. If other plants are growing well then you probably have a good base soil to work with. Some compost and maybe half a cup of blood and bone fertilizer will usually be adequate at planting time.
Rose bush care also entails dealing with pests! Roses can be prone to invasion by such things as aphids, rose slugs, mites, caterpillers, midge larva and other insects. These can all sap the life force out of your rose bush. Often, if there are only a few pests, you can simply remove them from the plant by clipping off that piece of foliage. This ensures you also remove any eggs they may have laid. It pays to try and identify which type of bug(s) you have. The easiest way is to find a fellow rose grower nearby who has some experience. Usually rose enthusiasts love to help and chat about their pride and joy. So don’t be afraid to ask!
Make no mistake, these pests can cause you trouble and really damage your rose bush if you don’t take action. Spraying is an option and again you need to identify your bug. You can go down the chemical pesticide route or choose a more natural way of dealing with the issue. In the long run using chemicals will prove to be harmful to your plants health and possibly your own (Great care needs to be taken when handling pesticides). You can obtain sprays that do a good job and are made of natural organic matter or you could try using the pests natural predators.
Ladybugs also called Ladybirds in some countries, are those cute little orange or red beetles with small black spots. These colorful little creatures eat aphids and some other pests that trouble your rose bushes, so it pays to encourage them. (This may be easier said than done!)
Another responsibility you have as a rose grower is pruning, also called deadheading. Most plants benefit from pruning but a cautionary note: be careful, don’t take too much or you can shock the plant. Use your nurseryman or local rose enthusiast to guide you with this. Done correctly, deadheading encourages more growth by getting rid of the dead wood (hence the saying “getting rid of the dead wood”!). You should also prune the flowers from the plant before they fade as this encourages new fresh blooms.
So you see rose bush care is not that difficult. If you have a passion for roses you’ll enjoy nurturing your roses and as a reward you’ll enjoy beautiful rose flowers from early spring through to the start of winter.
Happy rose gardening!
Transplanting Roses
Transplanting roses can be done safely without ill effects if a few simple procedures are followed. There are several reasons you may want to transplant including better soil, better sun or just a redesign of your garden space.
The same basic rule applies for transplanting roses as for planting them for the first time. For successful rose planting you must be well organized. Have the ground where you are replanting the rose fully prepared with the correct depth of hole and the bottom earth loose with maybe some compost mixed in. You could also add half a cup of bone meal to boost the nutritional uptake. Make sure you give your rose bush a good watering the evening before you intend doing the transplant. Sufficient hydration is essential for a successful move. When you have everything prepared you avoid the possibility of having the plants root ball exposed to strong sunlight and drying out. If you are transporting the rose bush any distance then it is wise to wrap the base of your plant in a piece of hessian bag and dampen it.
Having a well hydrated plant minimises the shock, because there is less demand on the roots to provide moisture to the main body of the plant. Roses are deep rooted plants and as such it will be impossible to transplant the entire root system. Water will certainly help overcome this while the roots are becoming re-established, giving your rose it’s best chance of survival.
Take care when digging your rose bush up. You should try and get as much of the central root core, or root ball as you can. You will not need to prune the plant before moving it, in fact it is not recommended. Once your plant is snug in it’s new home and well watered in you may find some wilting at the tips of the foliage over the coming days. This is a sign that the root system is not fully supporting the main plant body. You should increase the watering and you may carefully prune the dead tips.
Generally it is considered by rose enthusiasts that transplanting is best carried out during the winter or dormancy period. This is because the plants nutritional requirements are at a minimum and therefore it is much less likely to go into shock. Another small advantage is that the plants will have been pruned at the end of summer and should be easier to manage.
In summary, transplanting is an option you should not be frightened of. In the long run it may well be very advantageous for the rose once it is settled in a new area of your garden with better sunlight or better soil. Being prepared and following the preceding tips will make your move easy and successful. Of course if you are unsure about tranplanting, look for expert advice from other rose enthusiasts who nearly always love to ‘talk roses’. They will be only too pleased to help. With plenty of water and some TLC your rose bush will be back to it’s resplendent self or better!
Happy rose gardening!
Organic Rose Gardening: An Overview
Organic rose gardening is gaining momentum all over the world as a better and more environment-friendly option. The chemicals used in fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, etc, can eventually harm your child or pet while they play in the garden and indiscriminate use can even harm your roses.
Taking some basic precautions and preventive steps can reduce the onset of diseases and pest attacks. Always consult with other rose gardeners in your area and your local nursery before you buy your roses. Choose only those disease-resistant varieties that are suited to your climate and soil conditions. While planting, add some organic supplements to the soil.
Garlic, Onion, Mint, Black Pepper, and Cheyenne Pepper are natural repellents. Create a garlic blockade at the base of your rose plants. Sprinkle powdered Cheyenne and Black Pepper around the garden. While planning your garden, intersperse your roses with plants that repel pests (Eg.Alliums, nasturtium) and plants that attract beneficial insects (Eg.Alyssum, Geranium, Rosemary, Thyme). Plant your roses at least two feet apart to prevent diseases. Carefully examine your roses on a regular basis. Remove all dead, damaged, and diseased foliage and burn immediately.
If you face pest attacks in spite of preventive measures, you can use an organic pesticide. You can easily whip up several pesticides at home using natural ingredients.
Garlic Spray:
Chop three to four ounces of garlic and soak in mineral oil (2 tbsp.) for 24 hours. Take a pint of water, dissolve fish emulsion (1 tsp.) in it, and add this to the garlic & mineral oil solution. Stir well, strain, and store in a glass bottle. Do not use metal containers. When ready to use, dilute 1 part garlic concentrate with 20 parts of water and spray. This solution kills aphids.
Nicotine or Tobacco Spray:
Mix one cup of tobacco into a bottle of water and leave aside for a day. When the solution begins to look like weak tea, it is ready for use. If the color is dark, you can mix with some more water. This effectively kills caterpillars and aphids.
Salt Spray:
Stir salt (2 tbsp.) in one gallon of water. Mix well and spray on affected areas. It easily gets rid of spider mites.
But, do remember that although the pesticide is organic it is still toxic and should be used very carefully as per instructions. You could still end up killing beneficial insects or cause leaf burn with overuse.
Crab Meal, Humates, Azomite, Coffee Grounds, Soybean Meal, Fish Emulsion, Greensand, Aragonite, Epsom Salts, Sea Weed, Molasses, and Lime, are some of the natural fertilizers you could use to feed your roses. Organic fertilizers are long lasting as they improve the soil by slowly releasing nutrients while they break down.
Mulching around the base of your plants suppresses weeds and forms a protective cover, shielding your roses from damage in winter and the soil from the sun helping it to remain moist.
The benefits of natural fertilizers and pesticides definitely outweigh use of chemical products. With organic rose gardening, you can be sure of a healthier crop of roses this season.
Happy Rose Gardening!
Rose Planting
Where you plant your rose will determine how healthy it will be into the future and how well it will produce beautiful blooms year in year out. Rose planting, like most plant species, requires a little fore thought and home work. It is advisable to discuss this subject with a staff member at your local nursery as he or she will have knowledge of the various rose varieties and the local area. Your Rose is a living being so give it a good home and you’ll reap the rewards.
So what are the important points to consider? Sunlight gives life and choosing a place where your rose will get adequate sun is vital. Most rose species require about six hours of direct sunlight each day. Some species are shade tolerant but even they require four hours or more. So take your time and observe several areas of your garden that you feel may be suitable. Time how much sun those areas get and choose the one you feel works best.
Nutritious soil is another important factor in determining your rose planting location. Roses require a lot of nutrients so you need to do a few preliminary checks to see if your soil meets requirements. They do not do well in clay and equally struggle with very sandy soil. The ideal is a good mix of both clay and sand. It’s really very easy to determine if your soil has the correct structure. Take a handful and squeeze it ! Is it like putty or does it crumble away? If the answer is neither, and it holds it’s shape but will crumble with a little pressure, then your soil structure passes the test. But that’s not all we have to check with our earth. What’s it’s pH? If your garden bed is too acidic or too alkaline your rose planting will not go well. As mentioned previously it’s worth a discussion with your local nursery staff to find out which variety of roses do well in your region. Some will be better suited than others. However, your garden may have more limestone or more chalk than usual. Sometimes getting a soil test done can pay dividends in the long run.
Another important consideration is the relationship with other plants in your garden. You really need to find a generous space for your rose planting. Often the temptation is to surround your rose bush with other plants so the garden looks full. Please resist doing this as many other plants and shrubs can suck vital nutrients out of the soil robbing your rose of it’s lifeblood. They also use up water so your rose is not getting the amount of hydration you may think it is. Dig around in the area you are thinking of planting. Are their lots of roots in the soil? If so resist using this spot. Once your rose has established itself and started to have beautiful blooms, that part of your garden will look complete and absolutely wonderful. You’ll be pleased you took the time to carefully choose a good location.
Having chosen an ideal location for your rose planting by checking the soil composition and it’s pH, and determining if other plants will encroach, it’s time to plant your bush. You will need to dig a hole that is a few inches bigger in circumference than the pot your plant comes in. The required depth can vary a little depending on your local climate. Either talk with your nursery or seek out someone who has beautiful roses in their garden close to your home. Often you can get some amazing tips from neighbors and fellow rose growers. As a general rule of thumb colder climates require you to have a slightly deeper hole. In any case it is advisable to loosen the soil near the bottom of your hole and add either some compost or blood and bone fertilizer. This will encourage strong root growth by providing some phosphorus and other elements.
With your hole prepared it’s time to place your rose. As with all potted plants it is important to gently free them from their pot and then with your fingers loosen the root system. Living in a pot can cause the plant to be ‘root bound’ which stunts growth. You may wonder why some of your pot plants aren’t doing so well after a while. It could well be that their root system is stifled because the plant has out grown the pot – time for an upgrade!
With the root system freed up, place the plant in the hole and cover it three quarters of the way up with the soil you dug from the hole. Lightly water it in and then finish filling in the soil making a small mound. Make sure you press the soil down firmly but not so hard as to stop water absorption.
Your work is done for the day, congratulate yourself, even celebrate! You will be glad you took the time to follow these few simple checks and procedures when your rose is resplendent in beautiful blooms!
Happy rose gardening!
Caring For Roses | Planning Helps!
Roses are respected as one of the world’s most beautiful flowers however, caring for roses is considered difficult. This does not have to be the case. If you take your time to do some research, planning and preparation, you will successfully grow healthy plants that produce beautiful flowers year after year. Most gardeners who are serious about the long term vitality of their plants check on such things as location, soil type, rose variety and water requirements before planting. Pruning rose bushes is an important part of maintaining healthy plants and again is not so difficult with the right instructions. Like most things in life correct research and a plan will guide you to the results you desire.
Make no mistake, if you want your roses to look their best then you need to invest some time in their care. But caring for roses doesn’t have to be difficult. Once you’ve learned how to provide proper nurture for your roses it will seem easy. Water is a basic necessity of all life. But how much? Too much water can be as detrimental to your plant as too little. Roses require about one inch of water per week, but of course this can depend on a number of factors. What variety you are growing, the local climate and the time of year. Hooking up with other rose gardeners in your area will reveal a wealth of experience, even checking out online forums will provide some great tips.
Roses are deep rooted plants which once established, means they are hardy and can survive by taking moisture from deep in the earth. Watering early on after planting of your roses helps them grow roots deep into the sub-soil. Not only are you building a good foundation for long term growth but you’ll be enjoying beautiful blooms much sooner. So be careful not to water too lightly. The water must soak in or you run the risk of your plants roots staying shallow where they are getting the initial moisture. Should this occur the roses ability to handle dry spells, or a period when you are away from home will be much diminished. Always water at the base of the plant not by sprinkling the leaves as so many mistakenly do.
Caring for roses also means fertilizing. Good soil will provide enough nutrients for your roses for years without the need for added fertilizer, but there comes a time when an extra boost is required. Using chemical fertilizers is far from ideal, organic rose gardening is recommended. Nature has a wonderful ecological system, so who are we to try and outsmart it? Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs) break down organic matter and increase it’s nutritive properties. By using artificial man made fertilizers you kill these beneficial bacteria and ultimately damage the wellbeing of your rose bush. Your plants become dependant on the chemical fertilizer which means you have to keep providing it which means more work and adds to the myth that caring for roses is difficult.
Organic slow release fertilizer is available and should be added to the soil early in spring. As the plant comes out of dormancy this gives it a much needed awakening boost. It won’t hurt to add a small amount of the same fertilizer at the end of the blooming season as the bush is storing energy for winter. However please don’t give a big dose after mid summer. Another benefit of organic fertilizer is that it has a synergy with the natural HSOs and this boosts their ability to serve the plant.
Another ongoing chore with roses is pruning. Many gardeners get great satisfaction from pruning as it get’s rid of the dead wood and makes way for new growth. The results can be seen in a matter of days and this gives gardeners a lot of pleasure. Pruning should be done in Spring after the bush has been dormant throughout the cold months. All the dead or diseased branches and twigs should be removed, which not only improves the look of your rose bush but encourages new growth. During blooming you can prune the flowers which encourages more buds to form and results in more blooms for your enjoyment.
Yes there is a time commitment if you wish to have healthy great looking roses in your garden. But done correctly from the start this will all be a joy to the rose enthusiast. Just think of the pleasure of having gorgeous blooms of roses in your garden, the envy of your neighbors!
Get the #1 Secret to successful rose gardening
