The what, where, when, why and how of roses
Whether you are an experienced rose enthusiast or a beginner what type of rose you plant is important to your success.
At our greenhouse we have potted up approximately 1,200 bare root roses. By mid to late April they should all be in bloom and ready to purchase for Mother's Day. Roses of Canadian descent are the most hardy to withstand our cold winters. These roses include: The Canadian Artist Series, including Emily Carr, Felix LeClerc, Bill Reid, and Campfire (named for the Group of Seven); the hardy Canadian Explorer roses include John Cabot, Alexander Mackenzie, George Vancouver, my favourite John Davis, and many more; the Parkland and Morden roses were developed at the Morden, Manitoba Research Station so of course they are tough Canucks. This series of roses includes Winnipeg Parks, Adelaide Hoodless, Cuthbert Grant, and all the Morden roses.
The Floribundas, Grandifloras, Hybrid Tea, and English Austin roses are considered 'tender' roses for our area and need protection to help them make it though the winter, especially with the fluctuations they endure from our Chinooks.
Some of the most sought after tender roses are: yellow fragrant Sunsprite; red and yellow Ketchup and Mustard; Sexy Rexy, with its explosion of pink blooms; and my fav, Julia Child. Dick Clark and Rock 'n Roll are popular Grandifloras. The Peace rose was the first rose to be named as 'World's Favourite Rose' by the World Federation of Rose Societies in 1976. It is my favourite hybrid tea rose. Another tea rose to make you smile is Neil Diamond. He is known for his music but you will remember him for the fragrance.
Many celebrities are in our rose garden. Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton, Liz Taylor, George Burns, Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Tutu, and the Royal family, to name a few.
Once you have decided what type of rose you need to know where to plant it. Roses need at least six hours of sunlight to perform for your delight. When the frost has left the garden bed you can dig that hole. It is said the safe time to plant your rose is when the very early yellow flowers of Forsythia are blooming.
Now that we have discussed the what, where, and when, the why and how are next. Why? Because roses are easy and beautiful. Most bloom till the frost comes in November, in fact they like the cool evenings. Some roses take a break, a little siesta, through the heat of July but they are just looking for some refreshment. Adding a good layer of humus compost is what they need at this time to perk them up. An organic mulch conserves moisture, inhibits weed growth, cools the soil, and adds nutrients.
How to plant a rose and how to prune a rose are the most important things to learn. The bud union or crown of the rose (where the stem meets the root) has to be planted at least four inches beneath the soil surface to protect it from the frost. Using a healthy organic compost (old manure) with a couple handfuls of bone meal will help with root development. At this time you can spread a slow release balanced plant food containing nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, on the top of the soil. Scratch it into the top few inches around the rose bush and each time you water it will leach down to the root system, or you can fertilize a few times during the season but never past mid-August.
How you prune your rose will determine how it grows. This information I would like to give you in person because it is a little difficult for the beginner to understand. We have four knowledgable staff in the perennial house to give advice and guidance! We can also chat diseases, like powdery mildew and black spot, and any of those little insects that also think your roses are beautiful.