The Old Farmer's Almanac Roses

14 Pages·2005·2.7 MB·English

by  Lucille Rines

G A R D E N I N G W I T H
The Old Farmer’s Almanac
An Old Farmer’s Almanac Resource Ornamentals
Contributors: Roses
•
All-America Rose
Selections
American Rose
Society
Rosalie Davis
Betty Earl Contents
Kathleen Halloran •
Roses in History • 2
Suzanne Horn
•
Getting to Know You • 2
Doreen G. Howard
•
Martha White AFew Favorite Roses • 3
•
Some Choices for
Beginners • 3
•
ARose Sampler • 5
•
USDAPlant Hardiness
Zone Map • 8
•
Preparing the Soil • 9
•
Planting and
Transplanting • 9
•
Watering • 10
•
Feeding • 10
The Old Farmer’s • Pruning • 10
Almanac
•
America’s oldest Pests • 11
continuously published •
periodical Winterizing
Published annually Guidelines • 11
since 1792 •
• Some Like It Hot • 11
•
Gardening With Growing Roses in
Containers • 12
The Old Farmer’s
Almanac •
More Than Just a Pretty
•
Face • 13
Compiled and designed by •
Cut Flower Care • 13
Margo Letourneau
•
Prepared for online publication Resources • 14
by the editors and staff of
The Old Farmer’s Almanac,
1121 Main Street, P.O. Box 520,
Dublin, New Hampshire 03444
603-563-8111
Almanac.com
Copyright ©2005 by
Yankee Publishing Inc.
‘Carefree Wonder’, a shrub rose hardy to Zones 4 to 9.
–photo by Kent Krugh, woodlandrosegardens.com
Loveliest of lovely things are they
ABOUT OLD ROSES . . .
On earth that soonest pass away.
The rose that lives its little hour ■ China. Remontant, colorful blooms with fruity fragrances.
Mostly shrub forms, they are long lived and stand up well to
Is prized beyond the sculptured flower.
heat and humidity, but are tender in cold climates.
–William Cullen Bryant
■ Tea.Remontant, medium to large flowers with a strong aroma
reminiscent of crushed, fresh tea leaves. Mostly shrub forms
R O S E S I N H I S T O RY
with a few climbers.
•
Roses figured prominently in the Victorian “language of ■ Noisette. Remontant, fast growing, mostly climbers, with pastel
flowers.” Apure-white blossom signaled silence, and a red one cream, pink, and yellow flowers that have a lemony perfume.
spoke of love and beauty. Red and white together symbolized
scandal, suffering, passion, war—or reconciliation. A yellow ■ Bourbon. Most are remontant, with large, richly colored flow-
rose was the badge of infidelity, and a wild rose stood for sim- ers that are cupped and strongly scented. These hardy shrubs,
plicity. Arose without a thorn betokened a true friend. An un- originating on the Isle of Bourbon in the Indian Ocean, were
opened bud was a sign of innocence or indifference. Agarland the first repeat-flowering roses.
of roses served as a reward for virtue.
■ Old Europeans (Alba, Centifolia, Damask, Gallica, and Moss).
For thousands of years, the rose has been a symbol of beauty,
Spring bloomers that are cold hardy. Albas are white or blush
love, and passion, and it remains so today. It is the national
pink; Centifolias and Mosses are pink, with numerous petals;
flower, honored by a New Year’s Day parade, and the passion of
Damasks are a richer pink; and Gallicas have more red tones
gardeners everywhere.
and set hips quite readily. All types have strong, distinctive
fragrances.
G E T T I N G T O K N OW YO U
. . . AND A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT “NEW” ROSES
•
Roses are shrubs and come in a variety of forms, from minia-
ture to climbing. There are roses for every bloom season, from ■ Shrub. Including several classes, growth habits vary with these
spring through fall, and they offer a wide range of colors. Know- plant groups. Hybrid Musksdate back to the early part of the
last century and are prized for their rich, musky scents. They
ing rose classifications will help you understand their growth
tolerate shade; pastel flowers appear in spring and fall in clus-
habit, climate preferences, and general requirements. Some
ters. HybridRugosasareplanted because of their disease resis-
classes bloom only once a year in the spring, but flowers can
tance, tolerance for cold, and hips that form in the fall. Hy-
cover plants for more than a month. Others are remontant, mean-
bridized in the late 19th century, they are remontant. English
ing that they bloom several times in a season. Generally, remon-
Roseswere hybridized by David Austin, the parent selection
tant roses rebloom 50 to 60 days after the first flush of flowers.
being old shrub roses for vigor, fragrance, and double flowers,
and floribundas for color, glossy foliage, and repeat blooming.
ROSE CLASSIFICATIONS
• ■ Hybrid Tea. This classic rose, long used for cut flowers, has
One way to group roses into classes is according to their date
individual blooms on long stems, with flowers consisting of
of introduction.
many petals. Highly regarded for its color, form, and repeat
■ SPECIES ROSESare those that have been growing wild for blooms.
many thousands of years. These wild roses have been ■ Grandiflora and Floribunda. Produce large flowers in clusters
adapted to modern gardens. If self-pollinated, they will rather than on long stems. Otherwise, very similar to hybrid
come true from seed (most roses are propagated by cut- teas, but generally hardier. Floribundas offer nearly continu-
tings). Adaptable to any climate, plants are either climbers ous bloom, have a sturdy growth habit, and are useful in mass
or large bushy shrubs that bloom in the spring. plantings.
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■ MODERN ROSES are those introduced in 1867 or after. grown in containers.
Some in this group bear their flowers in clusters; most are
remontant. Many modern hybrid roses are sturdy, long ■ Tree. A composite of two or more rose plants produced by
blooming, extremely hardy and disease resistant, and bred grafting. They range in height from 1 to 3 feet. Extra care is re-
for color, shape, size, and fragrance. quired for winter survival. Can be grown in containers.
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 2 N Almanac.com
A F E W FAVO R I T E R O S E S Coubert’hybrid rugosa puts out white powder puffs in June—
wonderfully pure and sweet-smelling—effectively guarded by
Choosing from all the possibilities can be a daunting
extremely prickly stems. Rugosas can be invasive, but there are
task. We asked several rose experts to name their
times when only a bossy plant will do.
favorites and tell us why.
R. rubrifolia(also called R. glauca) is the soul of refinement in
a species rose. Cherished for its choice reddish-purple leaves and
canes that turn bright in the fall, the starry pink flowers are mere
•
Steve Hutton of Conard-Pyle. ‘New Dawn’. A large-flowered grace notes in June. It’s a classic rose for mixing into a perennial
climbing rose. The flowers have a pearly luminescence, and border, and makes a cloud of purple against which pink and purple
change from pale pink to shimmering ivory to pearl pink. flowers look spectacular. Gray foliage, such as that of ornamental
Zones 5 to 10. Hutton also named the ‘Peace’rose as a favorite, sage, makes a good companion. This rose is cold hardy to Zone 4.
introduced by his company in 1945. R. spinosissima(Zone 3) has creamy-white, fragrant blooms in
• early June. With fine, dense foliage that colors reliably in au-
Jerry Twomey, creator of five award-winning roses. ‘Iceberg’.
tumn; a hardy constitution; and bright, berrylike maroon hips, it’s
Floribunda. This rose, with 3-inch double flowers, is good for
good for an informal thicket, as cover for birds and wildlife.
both cold and warm climates. Zones 4 to 9.
•
David Austin Sr., known as the father of English roses. ‘William
Shakespeare’. English rose. Each flower has 150 petals of vel- THE BLOOMIN’ TRUTH
vety crimson that gradually turn to rich purple. And it has a ■ The oldest rose planted today was in existence some 2,000
strong, Old Garden Rose fragrance. Zones 5 to 9.
years before the birth of Christ. R. gallica var. officinalismi-
•
Scott Canning, former curator of the Cranford Rose Garden at grated from Persia (Iran) through Turkey to France and fi-
the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’.
nally into England in time to be renamed ‘Red Rose of Lan-
Bourbon with double flowers. It’s an intensely fragrant repeat
bloomer. Zones 6 to 9. caster’, which figured prominently in the Wars of the Roses
during the 15th century. It’s also known as ‘Apothecary’s
•
Brett McNish, curator of the Bruce Krasberg Rose Garden at the
Rose’, because it has been used by herbalists during the
Chicago Botanic Garden. ‘Therese Bugnet’. Hybrid rugosa. Its
red canes add contrast to the snow in winter and the semidou- past thousand years. –Doreen G. Howard
ble blooms have an intense damask scent. Zones 2 to 8.
•
Clair Martin, curator of the Rose Gardens at Huntington Botani-
cal Gardens in San Marino, California. ‘French Lace’. Flori-
bunda. Afragrant pale peach rose, blooms continually, and is
perfect for cutting or landscaping. Zones 7 to 10.
•
Shannon Sherrod, a Texas Rose Rustler. ‘Emmie Gray’. China
rose. It’s simple and not too big. This rose has a single, five-
petal flower that opens pink and matures to red. Zones 7 to 10.
–Doreen G. Howard
S O M E C H O I C E S F O R B E G I N N E R S
Great choices for apprehensive beginners or old hands who live in
places with cold winters.
■ SPECIES ROSES. Species roses aren’t overbred, and their
foliage and form are often desirable features. Most rugged of all
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June and early July, they produce a good crop of bright-red, blooms sporadically in summer. A second tide comes in as the
crab-apple-size hips, which adorn the shrub well into winter. days shorten, and its blossoms take on a distinct pinkness. This
‘Jens Munk’ blooms through more of the summer than the Zone 4 stalwart is a shrub rose good for planting on banks that
straight species. ‘Magnifica’ has deep-magenta flowers, and need cover.
‘Agnes’ produces fluffy yellow meringues. ‘Blanc Double de Bred for disease resistance,‘Flower Carpet White’(Zone 5) is
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 3 N Almanac.com
listed in catalogs as a ground-cover rose. It’s ‘Sun Flare’ (Zone 5), a fragrant, medium-yellow floribunda
showy and bushy, growing about 2 feet tall by 3 noted for its disease resistance and anise-scented foliage, mixes
feet across. With a little bit of deadheading, it flow- well with ‘Midas Touch’(Zone 5), a deep-yellow hybrid tea with
ers all season, producing big, semidouble white rich green foliage.
blooms. This hardy rose, is nearly care-free. Yellow blends may be easier to find than true yellows. ‘Betty
Boop’(Zone 5), a floribunda, has 4-inch semidouble flowers with
■ PINK ROSES. ‘Carefree Wonder’ is a well- pale-yellow centers and a wash of pink on the edges. Recognized
rounded shrub rose. It’s 3 feet tall with a quiet character. This rose for its spreading habit, continuous bloom, and large flowers, it is
covers itself in clusters of double flowers, and requires only a lit- ideal for borders or hedges.
tle shaping in early spring and removal of spent blooms in sum- ‘Elina’, a heavy-flowering hybrid tea that is hardy in the cold
mer. It is hardy to Zone 5. parts of Zone 5, has 4-inch, lemon-yellow blooms and grows
‘Carefree Delight’, another long- and heavy-blooming pink about 4 feet tall. It’s nice for cutting. –Rosalie Davis
shrub slightly hardier than ‘Wonder’, has 11⁄2-inch, flat, single
blooms. It works well in a hedge or large shrub border.
TIPS FOR NORTHERN GARDENERS
‘Carefree Beauty’ (Zone 4), a long-blooming pink with a
show-rose form and fragrance that is great for cutting. It com- ■ In Zones 2 and 3, select roses with exceptional winter har-
bines hardiness, disease resistance, and good foliage with lovely,
diness and good disease resistance. Agriculture Canada has
long-blooming flowers.
bred shrub and climber cultivars resistant to blackspot and
powdery mildew that also flower freely through the sum-
■ RED ROSES. ‘Europeana’is a classic red floribunda performing mer. Most are also sweetly scented.Among those to try are:
well in varying conditions. It has dark-red blooms on a 3- to 4-
foot-tall plant, and it’s big enough for a specimen or focal point or Rugosa shrub types: ‘Martin Frobisher’, ‘Jens Munk’, ‘Henry
for a large shrub border in a suburban setting. Hardy to Zone 5. Hudson’, ‘David Thompson’, and ‘Charles Albanel’.
For a more saturated red, try ‘Red Simplicity’(Zone 5). At 4 to
Climber types: ‘John Cabot’, ‘William Baffin’, ‘Henry Kelsey’,
5 feet tall, this substantial shrub makes a good hedge and has
‘John Davis’, and ‘Louis Jolliet’
earned its reputation for heavy flowering.
‘Scarlet Meidiland’(Zone 5) has small blooms and a long sea- Shrub roses: ‘Morden Blush’, ‘Morden Fireglow’, ‘Adelaide
son, and it’s a spreader—good for informal landscaping on a Hoodless’, ‘Morden Amorette’, ‘Morden Ruby’, ‘Winnipeg
steep bank or the rough edges of a garden. Parks’, ‘John Franklin’, ‘Champlain’, ‘Frontenac’, and ‘Simon
‘Scentimental’(Zone 5), a striking floribunda that grows 4 feet Fraser’.
tall, has old-fashioned pinkish-red-and-white-striped flowers,
■ In Zones 5 and colder, before you buy a rose, first check
good foliage, and strong form. Use it to flank a large structure,
the hardiness zone rating for that particular plant (see the
such as a toolshed, or even as a specimen in a roomy yard.
plant hardiness zone map on page 8). Due to the variety of
■ YELLOW ROSES. ‘Harison’s Yellow’(below, Zones 4 to 9), also roses and the differences in weather conditions of each
area, it may take several tries before you find a rose that
called ‘Pioneer Rose’, blooms early, brightly, and sweetly and
will survive Zone 4 winters. will survive in your yard. Talk with a nursery worker or
rosarian in your area for local recommendations on which
varieties are best suited to your particular climate. (See
page 11 for overwintering guidelines.)
TIPS FOR SOUTHERN GARDENERS
■ Aphids are common in the South, but many old roses can
withstand an attack without damage. Old or antique rose va-
rieties are more pest resistant than hybrid teas, though resis-
tance will vary with varieties. Most plants will respond well
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Kent
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Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 4 N Almanac.com
A R O S E S A M P L E R
•
Following is a gallery of some of the thanks to all those nurseries who have
many beautiful roses that we have talked loaned us their rose photos so that we can
about in our publications over the years. share their beauty with our readers. These
In the caption we include the “fancy” companies, among others, also sell these
name of the cultivar (usually a name cho- plants either on-line or through their mail-
sen by the breeder or seller), the classifi- order catalog. (See page 14 for a list of
cation, and the hardiness zones. Aspecial mail-order resources.)
‘Betty Boop’. Floribunda. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Birthday Girl’. Shrub. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Carefree Beauty’. Shrub. Zones 4 to 10
photo: www.waysidegardens.com photo: Heirloom Roses photo: Kent Krugh, woodlandrosegardens.com
‘Elina’. Hybrid tea. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Sally Holmes’. Shrub. Zones 5 to 10
Yankee Publishing Inc. photo: Heirloom Roses photo: Heirloom Roses
2005 by
©
Copyright
‘Midas Touch’. Hybrid tea. ‘Scentimental’. Floribunda. ‘Sweet Chariot’. ‘Ainsley Dickson’. Floribunda.
Zones 5 to 10 Zones 5 to 10 Miniature. Zones 5 to 10 Zones 5 to 10
photo: www.waysidegardens.com photo: Heirloom Roses photo: Sequoia Nursery photo: Heirloom Roses
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 5 N Almanac.com
A R O S E S A M P L E R (continued)
‘Daydream’. Shrub. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Elle’. Hybrid tea. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Europeana’. Floribunda. Zones 5 to 9
photo: All-America Rose Selections photo: All-America Rose Selections photo: www.waysidegardens.com
‘Ambridge Rose’. Shrub. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Mme. Isaac Pereire’. Bourbon. Zones 5 to 10
photo: www.waysidegardens.com photo: Heirloom Roses
Yankee Publishing Inc. ‘About Facpheo’to.: GAllr-Aamnerdiciaf Rloosrea S.e lZecotionnses 5 to 10 ‘Maiden’s Bplhuotso:h H’e.i rAloolmb aRo.s eZsones 4 to 9 ‘Dixieland Linda’.p hCotloim: Hebirilnoogm sRhosreusb. Zones 5 to 10
2005 by
©
Copyright
‘Mutabilis’. Hybrid China. Zones 7 to 10 ‘Lady Elsie May’. Shrub. ‘Robusta’. Shrub. Zones 3 to 9
photo: Heirloom Roses Zones 5 to 10 photo: Heirloom Roses
photo: All-America Rose Selections
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 6 N Almanac.com
A R O S E S A M P L E R (continued)
‘Fragrant Wave’. Floribunda. Zones 5 to 10
photo: Jackson & Perkins Co.
‘Louise Clements’. Shrub. Zones 5 to 10 ‘Jude the Obscure’. Shrub. Zones 4 to 10
photo: Heirloom Roses photo: Heirloom Roses
‘William Shakespeare’. Shrub. Zones 4 to 10
photo: Heirloom Roses
Yankee Publishing Inc.
2005 by
©
Copyright
‘Thérèse Bugnet’. Hybrid rugosa. Zones 2 to 8 ‘Apart’. Rugosa. Zones 2 to 8 ‘Royal Amethyst’. Hybrid tea. Zones 4 to 10
photo: www.waysidegardens.com photo: Heirloom Roses photo: www.waysidegardens.com
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 7 N Almanac.com
U S DA P L A N T H A R D I N E S S Z O N E M A P
•
The plant hardiness zone map, devel- the higher number indicates the most
oped by the USDA Agricultural Re- southerly area in which it will perform
search Service, includes the average an- consistently. Use this map to find the
nual minimum temperature for each zone you live in and to determine if your
zone. You will find the zone numbers in- final rose selection will survive in your
dicating the range of plant hardiness backyard. And keep in mind that other
listed with the plant description in most factors such as wind, snow cover, alti-
plant catalogs. The smaller number indi- tude, amount of shade, nighttime temper-
cates the northernmost zone in which a atures, and rainfall will also greatly affect
plant is likely to survive the winter, and a plant’s growth and survival.
■ To view this map online and get enlarged details for your region, visit www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html.
AVERAGE
ZONE FAHRENHEIT
TEMPERATURES
2 –50° to –40°
3 –40° to –30°
4 –30° to –20°
5 –20° to –10°
6 –10° to 0°
7 0° to 10°
Yankee Publishing Inc. 1890 123000°°° tttooo 234000°°°
2005 by 11 >40°
©
Copyright
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 8 N Almanac.com
P R E PA R I N G T H E S O I L ■ Roses can be cut back and moved in either spring or fall, but
not in midsummer, as they might suffer and die in the heat. Large
•
pH PREFERENCES. Roses prefer a near-neutral rose canes can be cut back by as much as two thirds, and smaller
pH range of 5.5–7.0. An accurate soil test will ones to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground.
tell you where your pH currently stands and will
specify the amount of lime or sulfur that is ■ When you transplant your roses, be sure to dig a much bigger hole
needed to bring it up or down to the appropriate than you think you need (for most types, the planting hole should
level. A pH of 6.5 is just about right for most home gardens be about 15 to 18 inches wide), and add plenty of organic matter
(slightly acidic to neutral). Acidic (sour) soil is counteracted by such as compost or aged manure. This will feed your plant in the
applying finely ground limestone, and alkaline (sweet) soil is years ahead. Some old-timers recommend placing a 4-inch square
treated with gypsum (calcium sulfate) or ground sulfur. of gypsum wallboard and a 16-penny nail in the hole to provide
calcium and iron, both appreciated by roses.
SOIL FIXES
■ If you order roses from a mail-order company, order early, in
■ For clay soil: Add coarse sand (not beach sand) and compost. January or February (March at the latest). They are usually shipped
■ For silty soil: Add coarse sand (not beach sand) or gravel and in the spring as bare roots when plants are fully dormant, well be-
compost, or well-rotted horse manure mixed with fresh fore they have leafed out. They’ll look like a bundle of sticks on ar-
straw. rival. Note, they are not dead—simply dormant. Standard-quality
■ For sandy soil: Add humus or aged manure, or sawdust with stock is two-year-old, field-grown cuttings.
some extra nitrogen. Heavy, clay-rich soil can also be added ■ In a garden center, the grower has invested more time and
to improve the soil.
materials in container-grown roses, so they tend to be more ex-
pensive than bareroot ones. Because you are moving them from
SOIL AMENDMENTS
potting soil to a new medium when they are in active growth, they
■ Ground bark: Made from various tree barks, will improve may be less adaptable to their new situation. Plant them by May
soil structure.
or early June for best results.
■ Compost: Excellent conditioner.
■ Leaf mold: Decomposed leaves will add nutrients and struc- TO PLANT A BAREROOT ROSE IN THE GROUND OR IN
ture to soil. A CONTAINER, FOLLOW THESE BASIC STEPS:
■ Lime: Raises the pH of acidic soil and helps loosen clay soil. •
As soon as your bareroot rose arrives,
■ Manure: Best if composted. Good conditioner.
remove it from its packaging and soak the
■ Sand: Improves drainage in clay soil. roots in a pail of water for a minimum of
■ Topsoil: Usually used with another amendment. Replaces four hours before planting.
existing soil. •
Mound the soil in the center of the
planting hole or large container, and place
the roots over the mound as shown. Add
P L A N T I N G A N D T R A N S P L A N T I N G some soil to hold the plant in place, then
add water generously around the plant to
■ Before you plant, be sure that you choose varieties proven in your firm the soil around the roots and remove
climate.When in doubt, All-America Rose Selections winners are air pockets.
good bets. Or check with your local nursery.
•
In mild-winter climates, gently fill the
■ Plant roses where they will receive a minimum of five to six hours hole with soil so that the graft union on
of full sun per day.They would like even more. Roses grown in weak the rose stem (the knobby area) is even
sun may not die at once, but they weaken gradually. In ten years with or just above the soil surface. In cold-
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•
Use a little extra soil to form a mound
around the planting to collect rainwater,
And I will make thee beds of roses,
guiding it toward the root system.
And a thousand fragrant posies. –adapted from text by Doreen G. Howard
–Christopher Marlowe
*For more information about growing roses in containers, see page 12.
–illustrated by Renée Quintal Daily
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 9 N Almanac.com
WAT E R I N G ■ Deadhead religiously and keep beds clean. Every leaf has a
growth bud, so removing old flower blossoms encourages the
■Diligently water your roses.Soak the entire root plant to make more flowers instead of using the energy to make
zone at least twice a week in dry summer weather. seeds. Clean away from around the base of the rosebushes any
Avoid frequent shallow sprinklings, which won’t trimmed debris that can harbor disease and insects.
reach the deeper roots and may encourage fun-
gus. Roses do best with 90 inches of rain per year, ■ Late in the season, stop deadheading rugosas so that hips will
so unless you live in a rain forest, water regularly. This will give form on the plants; these can be harvested and dried on screens,
you many more blooms than you imagined possible. away from sunlight, then stored in an airtight container. Stop
deadheading all your rose plants 3 to 4 weeks before the first hard
■ Roses love water—but don’t drown them.That is, they don’t like frost so as not to encourage new growth at a time when new
to sit in water, and they’ll die if the soil is too wet in winter. The shoots may be damaged by the cold.
ideal soil is rich and loose with good drainage. One of the worst
mistakes you can make is to not provide adequate drainage. (To
improve drainage and soil conditions, see Preparing the Soil on
page 9.)
■ Use mulch. To help conserve water, reduce stress, and encour-
age healthy growth, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of chopped and
shredded leaves, grass clippings, or shredded bark around the
base of your roses. Allow about an inch of space between the
mulch and the base stem of the plant.
F E E D I N G
Works
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–
you’re harvesting for the kitchen). Once a month between April
and July, apply a balanced granular fertilizer (5-10-5 or 5-10-
10). Allow three-quarters to one cup for each bush, and sprinkle ■ HYBRIDS AND FLORIBUNDAS. Repeat-flowering roses
it around the drip line, not against the stem. In May and June, generally bloom on new wood and need a good clearing out
scratch in an additional tablespoon of Epsom salts along with
and cutting back very early in spring before they start green-
your fertilizer; the magnesium sulfate will encourage new
ing up and branching. About the time forsythias bloom, take
growth from the bottom of the bush.
out all the dead wood, crossing canes, and spindly growth.
■ Banana peels are a good source of calcium, sulfur, magne- Then shape and prune back everything else, taking into ac-
sium, and phosphates—all things that roses like. There are three count the style of the garden and the size and nature of the
ways to serve them up: Lay a strip of peel at the base of each variety. Cut back old wood about 30 to 40 percent before
bush; bury one black, mushy banana next to each bush; or chop growth begins in late winter. Always cut to a live bud pointing
the peels, let them sit for two weeks in a sealed jar of water, and away from the center of the shrub to encourage outward
pour the mixture under each bush. The plus is that bananas add growth. Start deadheading after the first flush of flowers, and
valuable potassium. The minus is that it will take some time be- continue throughout the summer to encourage more blooms.
fore the plant benefits. Some rosarians feel that you are better off
throwing them into a compost pile as part of an entire nutrient ■ SPECIES, OLD ROSES, AND ONCE-BLOOMING
program. In addition, “a scientific handful” of phosphorus at the
SHRUB ROSES. Generally hardier than other roses, these
roots will please your plant more than a banana skin.
more primitive types bloom first on old wood in June; re-
bloomers repeat on the current season’s growth. Remove dis-
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than half an inch thick. Asmall pruning saw is handy, as it cuts Prune to remove undesirable canes and to shape and train
on both the push and the pull. Mark handles with bright paint so growth. Side branches tend to flower more heavily than cen-
that you can easily find tools amid the mulch. And after trimming tral leaders.
away diseased branches, clean tool blades with soap and water or
–Rosalie Davis
a mild solution of household bleach and water.
Gardening With The Old Farmer’s Almanac • Roses B 10 N Almanac.com