The handmaidens of love
LEARN THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF VARIOUS SHADES OF RED ROSE
The spotlight falls on red roses this month, as the Western world’s most enduring symbol of love. Roses and romance have always gone together, and in early Greek and Roman mythology red roses were associated with Aphrodite, or Venus, the goddess of love.
Valentine’s Day tradition is for men to present women with a single red rose or a bouquet of red roses, and I have recently discovered that women seem to be drawn more to cool reds, with a blue undertone, while men opt for warm reds that tend towards orange.
It is also interesting that different shades of red roses have different meanings. A bright red rose expresses romantic love while a dark red rose epitomises courage and longing.
Burgundy, likewise, means love still has to be realised and reddish brown denotes a sense of completeness.
In today’s more equal society I wonder whether we shouldn’t tweak tradition a little by suggesting that roses can be a Valentine’s gift for men too?
If not a bunch of roses, then a flowering bush rose, especially if the man in your life is an avid gardener. People might also say that one red rose is very much like another, but there are exceptions and my Valentine’s pick is the hybrid tea rose Red Intuition.
It stands out because of the dark red stripes and flecks splashing over the lighter bright red petals. The buds are a classic urn shape opening into full, romantic blooms. The bush is vigorous and tall growing, producing long straight stems that last well in the vase.
Another rose that epitomises romance is Crimson Velvet Dress. Standing in front of this superb rose, one cannot help but to imagine looking at a beautiful lady wearing a flowing, long, crimson velvet dress, dancing in a ballroom. That is what separates this variety from other Floribundas, the ability to produce perfect, Hybrid Tea shaped blooms from the base, reaching all around the tall bush. A performer!
For fragrance, a real winner is Saints Jubilee, named for the 60th anniversary of St Stithians School. The intense scarlet of the petals flows down to a creamy base, creating a contrast that makes the rose glow. The flowers are incredibly fragrant and the bush grows to hip height. Plant the three together (50 to 60cm apart) to make a statement and when picking for the vase you will have fragrant and beautifully shaped blooms.
The rains in most parts of Gauteng means that black spot control is necessary. Spray with Chronos mixed with Ludwig’s Insect Spray or Rose Protector once a month.
The rain will also have dissolved the fertiliser and as the roses are growing well they will need additional nutrition.
Fertilise with Vigorosa, which is sprinkled around the bush and not put in a heap next to the stem. Water well after fertilising.
To prevent thrips damaging new growth, spray with Plant Care or Ludwig’s Insect Spray.
Monitor the amount of rainfall and if it is less than 15ml at a time (the equivalent of one good watering), supplement with watering, which can be grey water.
In February, which is one of our hottest months, the roses need watering twice a week.
With water restrictions still in force, grey water and rainwater harvesting is essential so your plants get what they need.
Gardeners have been asking why the lower leaves in the middle of their rose bushes turn yellow and drop off.
It is not a disease or red spider, but just the natural process of shedding old leaves. It happens especially when it is hot and there is not enough water.
The water goes to the top of the rose and there is not enough sap for the lower leaves, particularly those in the centre of the bush, so they die off. It does, however, indicate that the rose needs more water.