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 For more than three centuries, the rose has been used to convey
thoughts, hopes, and dreams, and it has done so
without
uttering a single syllable! The rose flower can be used to say
anything from “I’m sorry” to “I love you”. While women are the most
frequent recipients of these elegant beauties, men have found the
rose to be a champion in their corner.
Despite its popularity as a cut flower, many people are apprehensive
about planting a rosebush of their own. These beautiful
ever-blooming plants (most bloom from mid-spring to late fall) are
frequently victim to the misconception that they are difficult to
grow. Could the rose have lasted three centuries if it was hard to
grow? No! Roses can be easily grown almost anywhere. By anywhere, I
mean that roses can flourish in variable seasonal conditions, even
as far north as Alaska. While most roses grow best in sunny planting
areas, some new hybrids grow well in part shade. Once established,
roses can tolerate short periods of extremes in temperature and
water conditions. A well-rooted rose is often very drought tolerant.
To keep your
rosebush happy and thriving it will require:
Plenty of air circulation -- don’t crowd plants by planting them too
closely.
An area free of debris. Clutter under any plant is unsightly, but
for a rose it is unhealthy. One way to keep the area neat is to
maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch beneath the plant. Another idea,
which I have used successfully for 5 years, is to plant creeping
thyme around the base of the rosebush. The thyme acts as natural
mulch and is tolerant of foot traffic. The scent released by the
thyme when it is crushed by foot traffic is an added bonus.
At least 5 hours of sunlight per day unless you have a
shade-tolerant variety. Please check with the nursery personnel
where you purchased the rose to be sure of the requirements of your
particular variety.
Regular feedings are a must. Roses are very heavy feeders, meaning
they require a bit more nutrients than ordinary flowering garden or
container plants. Begin fertilizing your roses in early spring,
about 6 weeks before visible growth, with a balanced fertilizer like
Jacks Classic 20-20-20. I use a dilute concentration of ½ teaspoon
of fertilizer per gallon of water every time I water. This is
equivalent to 2 tablespoons of fertilizer every week. When plants
are continuously blooming, I alternate feedings with Jack’s Classic
Blossom Booster 10-30-20 fertilizer. The feed rate should be reduced
around 6 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This will
harden off the plant and reduce the amount of fresh new growth that
could potentially be damaged by an early frost.
Magnesium (Mg) is a nutrient that can enhance your rose blossom’s
color and longevity. An excellent source of magnesium is Epsom salts
(magnesium sulfate). Monthly applications of 1 tablespoon per gallon
will help to prevent a deficiency of this essential element. To
identify if your soil is deficient in magnesium and could benefit
from additional Mg applications, have your soil tested by a
laboratory.
The care of the rosebush is very simple. It needs to be
“dead-headed” on a regular basis by removing the spent flowers. Most
people who grow roses enjoy cutting and bringing them indoors to
brighten someone’s day. The plant should be pruned or trimmed each
year. The best time of year to do this is still open for discussion.
Some people claim the best way for the plant to produce flowers
during the next growing season is to cut it back in autumn. Still
others claim it should be cut back in early spring. I wish I could
offer a tried and true answer here. I’ve done both, and even not cut
back at all. The overall goal is to remove the weak and sucker
branches (non-flowering canes), spent flowers, and damaged or
diseased leaves. This allows the plant to preserve its energy for
producing a nice healthy plant the following season.
Did you know that an ideal time to plant roses is in the very late
summer to early autumn? By planting at this time, the roots are
given a chance to become established before the ground freezes for
the winter months. The most important part of autumn planting is to
remember to fertilize! Give your newly planted rose a head start on
next year’s growing season by feeding it now, it will reward you
will beautiful blooms.
With good fertilizer, regular watering, and a clean growing area,
roses can last a very, very long time! Even with benign neglect,
some will continue to grow and produce minimal flowers. The
following story is from my personal experience and shows how a
little TLC can return even a “forgotten” bush into a beautiful rose
like no other!
“A Rose Worthy of Rescue!”
I’ve just recently “rescued” a 30+ year old rose bush from my
neighbor’s property. The neighbor’s daughter is having her childhood
home razed to make room for a new home to be constructed on the
site. Being the plant person I am, I asked if she would mind if I
dug up the plants that belonged to her mother. She eagerly said,
“There is nothing worth saving, but go and have fun”. I was
determined to save this beautiful rose bush if it took me all day!
This deep pink rose last flowered 4 years ago and has been severely
neglected after the death of this woman’s mom. Thanks to my efforts,
this old beauty has been given a new lease on life and has produced
several blooms and new shoots. This rose is truly a family heirloom
and will be given back to my neighbor’s daughter when the new home
is complete. Next year, the plant should be healthy enough for me to
propagate some cuttings. Thankfully, I will always remember the
woman who warmly welcomed us to the neighborhood, was an “adoptive”
grandmother to my daughter and my husband’s favorite kiffle maker.
This year add some language to your garden! Browse through a
nursery, a catalog or the Internet. Rose growers have given names to
varieties as vast and as colorful as the plant itself. Who knows,
you may find one bearing the name of someone special to you.
You might also want to choose the most popular rose in the world
--”Peace”. The beautiful yellow flower petals have pink tinged edges
and it has a minimal fragrance. “Peace” can be found easily in
nurseries and via the internet. Do you have room for “Peace” in your
garden?
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