Everything’s coming up roses
WITH rose pruning season coming up at the end of the month, it’s a good time to consider bringing some of these romantic lovelies into your life.
The “flower of love” is one that a couple of renowned garden designers have said most women must have in their garden. This doesn’t mean rush out and plant. Just start planning. And use these tips to ensure you get it right, first time.
Roses are not as finicky and pernickety as many people think.
Follow a few basics and they’ll give you years of pleasure.
As the chosen garden design will affect the health of your roses, the choice of position should be guided not only by aesthetical points but also by practical considerations.
Keep your choice focused to prevent a mixed planting from becoming too complex.
Special care should be taken when grouping different varieties or species of roses together.
This applies to foliage as well as colour and shape of the flowers.
Yes, they may be specific in their needs, but there are some very basic things to remember when it comes to keeping your roses happy.
Plant properly – ensure the spot is in an area that gets plenty of sun, six hours or more a day.
Early morning sun is preferable to late afternoon, as flowers last longer under cooler conditions.
Don’t plant in areas near large trees and shrubs because roses don’t like root competition.
Air circulation is important for growing healthy roses. Ensure you have accommodated for air movement by not placing the roses and other plants too close together. Good drainage is essential, so work in plenty of organic matter; check your pH levels to ensure they’re within the roses’ preferred range of 6.5 to 6.8, although they’ll handle 6/0 – 7.5; feed properly; check for pests and diseases (and spray with a homemade bug recipe) fortnightly; deadhead frequently; and water three to four times a week.
Roses should not be watered from the top as this tends to encourage the growth of leaf fungus and the appearance of pests.
A specially perforated garden hose or soaker, or a drip watering system should be placed in the bed with the water running slowly.
Roses are also particularly allergic to draughts and water dripping on their leaves. Choose a part of your garden not overhung by trees, shrubs or other plants that can lead to rain drip.
Roses are susceptible to pests and diseases like black spot (a fungus caused by too much humidity or water), red spider mites, aphid attacks, downy and powdery mildew, thrips and whitefly.
There are many organic and ready-made products available at garden centres, but if you have your roses in your vegetable patch, you may think about creating some home-made remedies to combat these problems.
Although organic sprays are much less harmful than other pesticides, they could harm some beneficial insects in the garden, like the ladybirds that will feast on aphids, so use them sparingly.
And something as simple as planting some lavender at the base of a tree you’re training your climbing rose up will protect the plant against up-climbing insects.
When it comes to roses, every romantic or cottage garden deserves a few and no children’s garden would be complete without them. ● Melanie and landscape designer Michael Rickhoff host Grounded, a radio show dedicated to all things green, on 1485am Radio Today on Saturdays at 11.30am (available on DStv Audio Channel 869).