June Shrub of the Month-The rose
Is there ANY flower more seeped in history, art, or literature than the rose?
The rose has inspired admirers, artists, and lovers for thousands of years. The name rose and its many variations have waxed and waned in popularity for just as long, if not as a first name, one of the most popular middle names, my mother included.
There is a reason the rose is the queen of all flowers. Like many queens throughout history, she’s beautiful and colorful but also has a dark, should I say ‘thorny’ side? Thorns are what makes rose analogies in music lyrics or literature so popular. It’s the ultimate analogy about life. I’ve said before; there is always a price or a sacrifice when it comes to gardening. (or life) For even if we hybridize the thorns away, the rose will always be considered a high-maintenance shrub, prone to pests, disease, and endless frustration in the garden.
You would think I hate roses. I say these words only because I love them and want others to love them too, but with the knowledge that they are work and not always for the many absent garden-lords that prefer to ‘plant it and forget it.’
If I haven’t scared you off yet, let’s move on to the fun rose categories you’ve probably heard of.
According to Jackson and Perkins, the three main categories are Old Garden Roses, Wild Roses, and Modern Roses.
-Old Garden Roses have been around since 1867 and typically bloom once per year.
-Wild Roses are species that have not been hybridized, crossed, or cultivated. (Like those you find in the wild.)
-Modern Roses offer continuous bloom, larger sizes, and multiple color options.
Under these three categories come the specific rose varieties. Here are a few of the most common.
Climbing– Not a class, but more of a description. Climbing roses need support and do not ‘twine’ or hold to structures like other vines.
Floribunda-Large clusters, continuous bloom. The top photo features the floribunda, CELESTIAL NIGHT.
Hybrid Tea-Long stems, ornate blooms, THOUSANDS of cultivars.
Grandiflora-The best of Hybrid tea and Floribundas with continuous blooms and showy clusters.
Polyantha-Shorter plants, smaller blooms.
Miniature-A hybrid form of grandiflora, usually 15-30.”
Groundcover Roses-Quite possibly the easiest care roses with compact shapes, high pest and disease resistance, a multitude of color choices, and continuous bloom.
Shrub roses-typically large, sprawling shrubs up to 15′ in all directions with excellent hardiness and bountiful clusters. There are even more sub-categories under this type, including the over-used ‘Knock Out’ rose and the famous David Austin English Roses, which are known for fragrance and numerous color choices.
One of the mantras around my home and garden is, ‘Nothing easy is worth having.’ So yes, embrace the beauty of the rose, the color, the fragrance, and the multitude of photo-ops … but embrace the work that goes with it.
What I love about this plant–
-The colors!
-The fragrance!
-The beauty!
-The history!
What’s not so great
-The thorns!
-The high maintenance!
-Every known pest and disease love the rosacea family as much as we do. More ‘disease resistant’ roses are available, and a good rule of thumb is to note the leaves. Dark, thick, glossy leaves usually mean higher resistance. Remember, disease ‘resistant’ does NOT mean disease ‘PROOF.’
-Black spot is an ongoing issue in St. Louis with our high humidity. Many products exist to battle it, but a few simple, common-sense steps can help without the chemicals. Try not to wet the leaves when you water. Good air circulation helps, removing spent flowers and infected fallen leaves … but the best tip is to look for disease resistant cultivars! Research, research, research!
-Rose rosette (Emaravirus sp.) is a virus spread by a tiny mite that can travel by wind, clothing, or equipment. The primary host is multiflora rose, known as weedy in the US. Symptoms of rose rosette include red leaf veins or new growth. Succulent growth with dense thorns that are soft and deformed leaves and stems. Removal of the entire shrub and roots is recommended. Maintain at least 300′ from any stands of multiflora roses and your ornamental roses. Prune back roses hard in late winter to remove any overwintering mites. Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps that aren’t as harsh or harmful to natural predators that may feed on the mites.
-Deadheading is a must unless you are using polyantha or groundcover roses. Make sure to cut back to an outward-facing leaf with five leaflets for more blooms.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
