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About Hardy Shrub Roses
About Heathers
About Flowering Crabs
wildlife habitat
Annuals Biennials Perennials
Culinary Herbs
The Healing Herbs
The Fragrant Herbs
Shakespearean and Bible Herbs
Do you Really Need A Tiller
Insect Attack
Flowers for Cutting
Pruning Pointers
Houseplants Clean the Air
Recipes Fresh from the Garden
The Gold Plated Gardener
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| About Hardy Shrub Roses |
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| There seems to be a lot of confusion about roses, and no wonder, with thousands of cultivars (cultivated varieties) to choose from. The most common complaint here in the North (USDA Zones 4/5) is that roses will not winter over. The reason is usually that the purchaser has planted a hybrid tea or other tender rose that was never intended to survive -30 F. winter conditions. Simply because a store sells these roses every spring does not mean that they are guaranteed to survive, or are even appropriate for the North. The good news is that there are dozens and dozens of cultivars that are perfectly hardy in USDA Zone 4 or even colder! These are called "hardy shrub roses"; they are available in a full range of colors, and even better, they retain the fragrance that many of the modern roses have lost. Some are even climbers! Hardiness can be increased by planting your rose as deeply as possible--right up to the first branch. If in doubt, mulch your rosebush in late fall of its first season (after the ground has frozen). Gradually remove the mulch in late April. If your have bought a truly hardy rose, mulching in the future is unnecessary. Look for the letters OR on the plant's tag. These mean "own root", meaning the rose has not been grafted onto a wild rootstock. So even if your rose dies back to the ground in a severe winter, it will return from the roots as the rose you bought, not some unwanted wild species. Roses are heavy feeders and like plenty of good rich soil amended with compost. After a few years in the ground, most roses benefit from an annual pruning in early spring, removing the oldest canes and any winter tip kill. Rugosas can be cut back hard if you wish to maintain them at a certain height, since they bloom on new growth. Deadheading (removing spent blossoms) will keep them blooming all summer. A few roses, however, bloom on old wood and should not be cut back except for shaping and removing dead wood. Your plant's care tag should specify this; if not, ask. For details on rose culture, we recommend you consult one of the excellent reference books on the market. We also suggest that you shop at a reputable local greenhouse or nursery, where employees can advise you personally in making the right choice for you. To sum up: it's not your fault! You may have to spend a little more for a hardy shrub rose, but think of it as an investment--this time, you're buying a plant that will live forever! |
| Palmyra | ME | 04965-4033 |
 shepherdsgdn@hotmail.com |
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| Visitors: 03584 |