Five Tips to Improve Your Roses
“A rose is a rose is rose” – according to Gertrude Stein, but I think my roses are special – and there are few things in the garden more beautiful.
Here are 5 secrets, I want to share that will help you to grow healthier roses.
1. Sunshine: Plan to put your rose bush in a spot where it will get as much sun as possible – at least, 6 hours of sunshine a day.
2. Water: Drops of water on the leaves can cause burning, and lead to black spot disease so always water from underneath, soaking the earth until it is damp, but not soggy. It is better to water thoroughly once a week than lightly several times in the same period.
Beware if your Roses get too much water, they’ll drown. Water in the morning or at least four or five hours before dusk, so that any excess moisture can be absorbed by the heat of the day.
3. Planting & Soil: As soon as the ground can be worked in the Spring, turn the soil to the depth of the spade. To the loosened soil add 1/3 to 1/2 as much again of composted humus like leaf mold, peat moss, or composted manure, together with coarse sand. Make sure to work the soil at least a month before planting.
Power of Roses
Roses are red ©2024 Carl Scott Harker, author of
The Happy Cat
4. Tidy, tidy keeps Roses healthy. It is important to gather up withered petals and leaves and pick off any live leaves with black spots. To help prevent black spot – mix 1 tbs of baking soda with 1 tbs of liquid dish soap and 1 gallon of water together and spray your Rose leaves.
5. Prune: Always prune 1/4″ above an outward facing bud. Always use a sharp knife or hand pruners. Never prune in fall. Always cut off the suckers, they grow just below the bud union; follow them down to where they begin and carefully remove them to encourage strong new growth.
Roses are classified into types according to ancestry, bush type, and flower form and size – ask at your local nursery for the type you prefer.
About the Author: >Abigail Baker is webmaster and contributing editor for Country Mall Place at http://www.acplace.com/ .
10 Types of Roses
Roses are one of the most beloved and diverse flowers, with numerous varieties cultivated for their beauty, fragrance, and symbolism. Here are some common types of roses:
Hybrid Tea Roses : Known for their long stems and classic rose shape, hybrid tea roses are popular in floral arrangements. They come in a wide range of colors and are often prized for their fragrance.
Floribunda Roses : These roses produce clusters of flowers on each stem, creating a profusion of blooms. Floribundas are typically hardier and more disease-resistant than hybrid teas.
Grandiflora Roses : A cross between hybrid tea and floribunda roses, grandifloras combine the best traits of both. They produce large, elegant blooms on tall stems.
Climbing Roses : As the name suggests, climbing roses have long, flexible canes that allow them to climb trellises, fences, and walls. They come in various colors and bloom types.
Miniature Roses : Miniature roses are petite versions of their larger counterparts, making them ideal for small gardens, borders, or container planting. Despite their size, they often produce blooms similar to standard roses.
Shrub Roses : Shrub roses are hardy, low-maintenance plants that come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are versatile and can be used as borders, hedges, or standalone plants.
Old Garden Roses : These roses encompass several traditional rose varieties cultivated before the introduction of modern hybrids. They are valued for their historical significance, fragrance, and charming, classic appearance.
Rugosa Roses : Rugosa roses are known for their toughness and resilience, making them suitable for challenging growing conditions such as sandy soils and coastal areas. They typically have wrinkled leaves and produce fragrant flowers followed by attractive hips.
David Austin Roses (English Roses) : Bred by David Austin, these roses combine the charm and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat flowering of modern hybrids. They often have a lush, romantic appearance with full, cup-shaped blooms.
Wild Roses : Also known as species roses, wild roses are the ancestors of modern cultivated varieties. They grow naturally in various regions worldwide and are valued for their simplicity, resilience, and often fragrant single blooms.
