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All about Heirloom Roses

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Times have changed for roses since Shakespeare, centuries ago wrote: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” With the growth of modern gardening systems and tools, we have witnessed hybridization of roses which are tougher with larger blooms and which bloom frequently. Experiments with cross-pollination of different types of roses have resulted in hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses which have reached the peak of popularity with rose lovers all over the world. Despite the shift of preference to modern hybrid roses, heirloom roses are still everyone’s favorite which has stood the test of time and is geared for a successful comeback.

Heirloom roses are also called by another name: antique roses. As the name suggests, this typical variety of rose is nearly a century old and still cultivated carefully so that plants can be produced from their seeds. While the exact number of varieties available in antique roses is difficult to ascertain, there are several categories of antique roses which one can come across. These include: the Gallicas, the damasks, the albas, the centifolia and the moss. All these types of antique roses are famous for their magnificent fragrance and their large bloom size. Though modern rose gardeners have created many hybrid varieties of roses, antique roses are fairly simple to grow, just as the hybrid tea and the floribunda.

Information about heirloom roses are available in plenty in the numerous websites and your local garden store may even have some antique varieties in stock. The local horticulture societies as well as the local garden club are great places for accessing more information on the types of such roses which would be suitable for your climate and soil.

While the same rules and principles of rose gardening apply for antique rose gardening, you could add that special flavor of that era in the form of a Victorian gazing ball. A brand new gazebo could add some more excitement to your garden with a lovely climbing variety of the antique rose.

Remember some of the fundamental rules of rose gardening apply here also, in the sense that watering has to be done only at the base of the plant and not on the stems, leaves or flowers. This will deep mold and rust at bay which have a habit of damaging delicate and fresh plants. The base of the plant must be kept free of debris including dead and fallen leaves. Practice careful pruning to avoid unnecessary damage to your rose bushes. Try and complete your pruning during early spring, to ensure that you get a full and healthy bloom through out summer. Use clean and high quality shears and always wear gloves to avoid cuts and bruises from thorns. Prune the center of the rose bush as this will facilitate fresh air circulation later in the season. All dead wood, weak growth and old canes must be removed at all times. The right height of the plant which your pruning must ensure would largely depend on the variety of rose that you have chosen. But the right height can ensure strength and health for your plant. The pruning shears must be thoroughly cleaned after use with dabs of alcohol to prevent mold or fungus from spreading to the healthy parts of your plants.

There are plenty of heirloom roses to choose from which can make your rose garden a marvelous display of color, fragrance and beauty. This way you could also lend a helping hand in keeping the heirloom tradition alive in your own way.

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How to Take Care of Your Rose Plants

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Though you might have heard it otherwise, but rose gardens are not just simple to start but simpler to maintain also. Strong and perennial, rose plants can survive with little human intervention and can thrive well in the wild. A good and healthy start is the primary step for keeping your rose garden safe from various dangers which bring damage to a rose garden.

The first step to start on the right foot is to choose only such types of roses which are suited to your climate zone and the specific soil type. While your local garden store will stock lots of varieties of roses during the planting season, you must carefully examine the plants before purchase. Any rot on the roots or dead canes signify that these are unhealthy plants or have been mishandled. These are not likely to survive and should be rejected.

New plants can only survive if they are planted on firm and well-prepared soil. Roses are no exception to this rule. A well prepared, conditioned and primed soil is critical for successful growth of the plant. This means that whatever hard works that you put in, before planting the plant, will pay in the long run, when you see healthy blooms blossoming in your rose garden. Start by digging the soil about a foot deep. In stead of destroying this soil, keep it for later use. Your next job is to add compost, peat moss or even cultured manure to this layer. Dig the second time, mixing the soil with these additives. Put this mixture inside the first foot of the soil and start planting. Remember the first enemy of a rose plant is inadequate conditioning of the soil.

Do you know what a rose plant goes through during winter? The regular cycle of freezing and thawing makes the underground roots shift which ultimately damages the root system and kills the plant. To prevent this from happening, use mulch for winter protection.

Incidentally, mulch is beneficial for the soil during summer too. It wards off weeds and retains the moisture level of the soil. Thus, mulch must be part of your regular plant care schedule just before the first bloom shows up. Strengthen the plant by putting several inches of soil and cover that soil with mulch to protect the root system during harsh winter months and you will be rewarded with healthy flowers which show up during early spring.

Wet plants and unkempt flower beds are thriving grounds for many fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. To keep your plants healthy, regularly remove all fallen and dead leaves along with other garden debris from near the roots of the plants. This way you can water the plants directly and keep fungal infections away. Remember, watering should be done at the base of the plant and not the leaves, stems or flowers. This will ward off mold and rust, both of which are harmful for rose plants.

Your rose plants can also attract many types of garden insects including aphids, thrips, beetles and caterpillars who love to eat into the plants. Prevention from insect infestation can be done by spraying dormant season oil just before spring. If your garden is still infested with insects, they can be removed by a combination of using hand and treating with some mild insecticidal soap solution.

Rose plants can be kept free of disease, pests and hazardous weather conditions if you are a bit alert and take timely care of your garden.

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How to Keep Your Rose Garden Free From Pests

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Starting a rose garden does require hard work and you have done it all: conditioning the soil, choosing the right type of rose and have even planted them now you would like to keep your rose garden free from pest attacks and disease infestation to see your healthy roses bloom through out the season. While rose gardening may seem a bit of an uphill task, but following some simple steps, you can keep your plants healthy and your garden a happy garden.

There is a fundamental truth about gardening in general and that is wet plants are extremely attractive for fungal diseases. So you must keep the flower beds neat and tidy by regularly removing the dead and fallen leaves from underneath as well as clean the garden of all unhealthy debris. This simple exercise can keep fungal infections away. To prevent mold and rust from attacking your plants never water the leaves, stems or flowers. This can even damage the roses.

When you prune your rose bush, remember to clean up the central area. This will allow fresh air to circulate and keep fungal diseases at bay. Though rust is not fungal by nature but behaves much the same way and is considered very harmful for rose plants. These types of disease conditions can be rectified by using fungicidal soaps and pruning of the infected stem. Also keep the pruning shears clean as infected shears can carry the disease to healthy parts of the plants. You could also use simple craft glue to repair any cuts made during pruning. This will keep your plants safe from many other types of insects.

Insects like aphids, beetles and caterpillars are very fond of attacking rose plants. Easy prevention can be obtained with early season spraying of dormant season oil immediately before the spring blooms start. Of course, there are other ways of getting rid of insects also. To get rid of beetles and caterpillars, the easy way is to try the traditional method of picking them up by hand and throwing them into soapy water. The best time to do this exercise is early in the morning and is considered one of the best ways to keep your roses safe from insect attacks.

In case you find pulling out the insects by hand is not quite something you prefer, you could buy insecticidal soaps from your local garden store. If used according to the labeling instructions, these soaps can be very effective in keeping your garden safe from harmful insects. Before using these soap solutions, remember not to use any strong and harmful pesticides which could damage your garden, in stead of bringing relief. The other point to remember is that there are a lot of beneficial insects which live in your garden, and they could also get killed if strong pesticides are used.

One of the fundamental truths behind organic gardening is that pests are part of nature and they will be part of your garden too. One way to ensure insect-free gardening is to choose the specific plants which are suited to your climate zone and soil. The plants can themselves resist the disease attacks and ward off insect infestation. The other trusted way to keep your rose plants safe is to practice companion planting of garlic and onion near your rose bushes. These companion plants keep your rose plants safe from insects.
In the matter of rose gardening, you have to be a little alert. With proper vigilance, you can easily protect your plants from disease and insect infestation and see your garden bloom throughout the summer.

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The Basics of Organic Rose Gardening

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Starting from the breakfast cereals to the vegetables on the superstore, every thing seems to have an ‘organic’ origin these days. What is the true significance of the term ‘organic’ really? While there are numerous definitions and theories available explaining the term, when it is a matter of gardening or rose gardening in particular, the meaning is very simple. Organic gardening is nothing but letting the plants grow naturally after the soil is fed with natural nutrients. This means that the plant grows with out any assistance from chemical fertilizers or ‘harmful’ pesticides. In other words, organic gardeners work in conjunction with nature rather than controlling the soil with the help of any chemical supplement.

There are many ways in which you could include organic gardening ideas in to your own rose garden. According to experts, appropriate priming of the soil is crucial if you wish to see your rose garden healthy and blooming. Start by digging the soil about a foot deep. Do not throw away the dug up soil, as you will need it at a later stage. Then add compost, peat moss and manure to this soil and then continue digging, this time mixing the soil with the additives. This will make sure that you have begun your rose gardening on a right note, as you have used only natural ingredients. Before you begin planting, add some bone meal to the first layer of dirt and replace the first foot of the soil.

To preserve the natural nutrients of the soil, mulch is an important additive. In summer it helps keep the weeds away and retains the moisture level of the soil. Mulch benefits the soil even in winter when it offers protection to your roses from the perilous cycle of freezing and thawing which damages the underground roots of the plant caused by the frequent shifts which it entails.

To protect the roots of the plant during harsh winter months, you could strengthen it by adding several inches of soil to which mulch has been added. This protective measure will ensure that a healthy plant will show up in early spring.

While retaining the moisture of the soil as well as regular feeding with organic ingredients like peat moss will guarantee healthy growth of the plant, you have to take care of the several varieties of garden bugs and pests. According to organic gardening theory, bugs are part of nature and thus part of any garden also. Your local garden store can supply your with organic solutions in the event of any persistent pest problem which you might be facing.

Companion planting is another concept frequently used by organic gardeners. These additional plants not only add to the overall beauty of your garden but also keep many common pests at bay. Examples of useful companion plants are onion and garlic. The added benefit of these companion plants is that it adds to the variety in your garden.

A very intelligent way to avoid using chemical or artificial fertilizers yet get the most out of your rose gardening efforts is to choose the particular rose types which are indigenous to your area. You could easily get as may varieties in color and size of roses which are well-suited to your climate as well as soil. These flowers are easiest to grow as they need only the basic care and are well suited to your natural environment.

Thus organic gardening and organic rose gardening is not just a pleasurable experience but strikingly simple too.

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Tips for Rose Garden Maintenance

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It is unfortunate that rose gardens have earned the wrong reputation of being difficult to maintain. The truth of the matter is that rose garden is easy to take care of even for a novice gardener. All you need is the knowledge of maintaining, protecting and pruning the garden and you can expect healthy, good looking roses for many years in the future.

Like any garden, a rose garden also requires regular cleaning. You must take care to remove all dead and fallen leaves as well as all unnecessary garden debris so that you are able to access the roots of the plants when you water the. Or else, you will land up watering the stems and leaves which in turn will attract fungal diseases as well as rust. Remember rose plants should be watered only at the roots and no where else on the plant body.

Like any living thing, rose plants also need food at the right time to look healthy through out the flowering season as well as during the dormant season. While there are many varieties of fertilizers available at any local garden store, be careful to read the instructions for use printed on every label which many vary according to the type of rose. The right amount of fertilizer is important for proper growth and maintenance of your rose plant. The thumb rule is to feel the plants during early spring when the buds are starting to swell. After the plant has produced a full bloom, it is feeding time again. For most climate zones, the plants have to be fed during late summer. A fourth feeding in early October may be needed if you live in a climate zone which has a long growing season.

Mulch is always a good friend for the rose garden. in summer it retains the moisture level and keeps it at a constant level. Thus, mulch must be added to your regular plant care schedule shortly before the first bloom appears. Similarly, during winter months, the root system of the plants stands to get damaged due to the frequent freezing and thawing cycle. Mulch can protect the root system from such damages if you reinforce the plant with several inches of soil and add mulch to this soil.

Careful pruning is the last tip for the successful maintenance of your rose garden. The recommended time is early spring when pruning should be done for a healthy and reproductive growth through out the flowering season. Get yourself a good and strong pair of shears for your pruning exercise. Take special care of the central part of your rose bush and prune this area specifically. This will ensure circulation of fresh air till much later in the season. All dead wood, weak growth and old canes must be removed at this point. The ideal height to which the plant has to be cut would depend largely on the type of rose plant and the specific recommendation. Rub alcohol on your pruning shears to prevent any spreading of mold or fungus to other parts of the plant or your garden.

Following these simple tips you can turn your rose garden into a dream garden which can add beauty and glamour to your landscape.

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Understanding the Rose Types

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The initial planning stage for a rose garden may throw you off balance, when you visit the local garden store to be greeted by innumerable varieties of roses. There are countless numbers of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from. The sheer range of the varieties of roses that one can access for a garden is simply incredible. Hybrid tea, floribunda, shrubs and ground cover, climbers and heirloom roses are the main types of roses and each variety can claim its individual characteristics and are suitable for different types of landscapes.

One of the critical aspects of growing a rose garden, which you must always keep in mind, is the plant’s love for sunlight. A rose plant may grow according to the height and shape which is typical of that particular species but whichever type of rose you choose sunlight would be the main concern. Thus, when you choose a spot for growing rose plants in your garden, make sure that the spot gets at least 5 to 6 hours of good sunlight per day.

Hybrid tea roses look lovely when planted in rows through out the garden. They make excellent cutting flowers and have large blooms which show up mostly on single stems. Floribunda roses on the other hand are known for their breathtaking beauty and show up with many medium sized flowers on a single stem. Ground cover roses, selected primarily for size and color, behave much like shrubs. As the name suggests, climbers can be taught to look like a vine by tying them to a trellis during their growth phase.
The origin of heirloom roses can be traced back to the 19th century. This particular type has recently staged a comeback in terms of popularity. They are tough plants and the flowers are famous for their fragrance.

You must sit back and visualize your rose garden before you actually select any particular variety of rose. It is always interesting to see a mix of many varieties and sizes of roses rather than looking at rows of same type of roses in a garden. You must also think of the color scheme which you wish to give your garden as colors enhance the look and overall feel. For designing your garden in the most optimal way, you could consult catalogs, magazines or even online resources. Like all gardens a good planning will result in a good looking, healthy and colorful garden in the long run.

Once your planning for the garden is over, you must follow certain easy maintenance tips if you wish to see your rose garden prosper well for long number of years in the future. For instance, a rose garden must be cleaned regularly. Remove all dead and fallen leaves as well as other usual garden debris as often as you can. This will enable you to reach the roots of the plant while watering. Or else, you will eventually water the stem and leaves, which in turn will attract various fungal diseases and other problems for your plants.

Your plants will need timely feeding for proper growth not only during flowering seasons but also during dormant months. There are plenty of fertilizers available at the local garden store. Whichever fertilizer you choose, make sure that you follow the specific directions for use so that your plants remain healthy and grow optimally. Mulch is a great friend of the rose garden and so is careful pruning, both of which add life and vigor to the plant’s growth for great many years in the future.

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