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What are the main types of Roses?
Click on the hyperlinks to go to variety picture pages.
Hybrid TeasThe most commonly planted type of garden rose. It is generally long stemmed with a single rose per stem. There is a tremendous range of colour, form, and disease resistance in this huge group. Pruning: Select the 5 to 7 most robust canes and remove all other to the point of origin. Prune the selected canes to 1824” long. Cut just above an out facing dormant bud or leaf scar.
Miniature roses These are like smaller versions of Hybrid Teas. They have mini flowers rather than a mini plant. Although, the plant size is generally in proportion to the flowers. Micro mini roses are available seasonally through the colour department.
Floribunda roses Cluster bearing types, but are generally smaller and shorter than Grandifloras. Used for cutting and garden display. Disease resistance varies. Pruning: Remove all twiggy and crossing growth. Shorten remaining canes to ½ the original length. Cut just above the nearest out facing bud.
English roses One of the newest races of roses. These combine the look and scent of antique roses with modern virtues of smaller sized bushes and repeat bloom. Many grow as the Hybrid Teas. Sometimes spindly the first couple of years. Eventually they form a strong plant. Pruning Most are thinned of crossing and weak growth. Then cut back the remaining canes by 1/3 of the total growth.
Climbing roses Most climbing roses are tall sports of roses already listed. Most grow about 812ft. tall. We also include some pillar roses among the climbers. These are roses that can be grown vertically. Climbing roses grown in this manner will bloom only at the tips of their growth. Train upward and then out for maximum flower production. .
Species roses These are wild roses, as they occur in nature, not a hybrid. Most grow large and have only one annual bloom. These are for large gardens. Pruning Little or none required.
Rugosa roses Our hardiest and most disease resistant roses. Many are five petalled and many form enormous rose hips. The range in height and colour is vast. Most repeat bloom. Pruning None required, though some may be desired. Do not spray.
Grandiflora roses Grandifloras are often taller and more vigourous. Generally, they are more disease resistant. They bear multiple roses at the ends of strong stems. The cluster is composed of roses as large as single Hybrid Teas. Pruning: Prune like the hybrid teas, but leave selected canes at 2436” long.
Landscape roses These roses vary greatly in growth from ground cover roses to large shrub roses. Most require less maintenance than other types. Generally, they are marketed as disease resistant. To be used as a summer flowering shrub in the landscape. Usually mediocre cutting flowers. Pruning Varies by cultivar.
Heritage roses These are roses which have been in cultivation since 1850 or earlier. Many of these are very large shrubs (think blackberry brush). Most have only one spectacular annual bloom. Moss roses, musk, cabbage and damasks are found here.
What is Blackspot?.Click on the hyperlink for answers.
What is Mildew?. Click on the hyperlink for answers.
Can I plant new roses in old beds?
Click on the hyperlink to read Paul Evans theory on re planting.Paul Evans
Find That Rose.... You may have read the books now its online
A FEW TIPS - ADVICE FOR HEALTHIER ROSES
- 1 If rose foliage is often wetted by watering etc. then water if possible morning time so the damp leaves have chance to dry fairly readily, therefore minimising disease problems caused by wet conditions – wet foliage in the evening will usually stay damp all night.
- 2 Do not over-fertilize as this will have an adverse effect, remember always one handful per bush, never two – less is more.
- 3 Try to avoid cutting long flowering stems for the vase from young ‘maiden’ bushes as roses need to establish themselves well – to grow strongly without ‘check’, as by doing this it will inevitably hinder the young plant’s development.
- 4 If certain hybrid tea blooms invariably split, try removing the main bud when large enough, leaving a side bud to remain and develop, resulting in hopefully a smaller perfect flower.
- 5 Only grow varieties that grow well for you in your soil. Alternatively, try the new product ‘Rootgrow’ or indeed, as I now do with good results, plant into boxes containing fresh soil etc. sunk into the ground.
- 6 Is bud damage by various pests a regular problem? If so, try smearing a little vaseline on the buds when large enough and before showing colour – it seems to deter them.
- 7 Whenever your roses are sprayed, add some liquid feed such as ‘Maxicrop’ or ‘tomato fertilizer’ giving plants an instant boost directly through the leaves, also improving health and colour of the foliage.
- 8 It is beneficial to mulch around the bushes with any kind of organic matter, basically whatever comes to hand. However, it has been over six years since I last did this worthwhile job properly!
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