A rose is a perennial flowering shrub or vine of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae, that contains over 100 species. The species form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp thorns. Natives, cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and fragrance

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Introduction To Rose Gardening

by body

Roses have all times been appreciated for their beauty and elegancy. Since ancient times the rose is the symbol of love and prettiness. They were even identified with various goddesses of love like the Greek goddess Aphrodite or her Roman equal Venus. In Europe rose gardening was established in the 1800s, after perpetual blossoming roses were imported from China.

But in the course of time roses' reputation has gotten a bad change for being hard to grow and maintain. If you are thinking about rose gardening don't let this myth stop you. While rose gardening can prove to be ambitious, once you master it, it really isn't that bad.

When you first start rose gardening, you will have to pick out what type of rose you want to plant, and no, I'm not discussing the color. You will have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses. Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring. They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable. Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bag or box with something around the roots to keep wet, like sawdust. Container-grown roses are grown; you guessed it, in containers. They will be either budding or already in flower when they get available in the early spring.

Planting in rose gardening is not that much contrary to any other type of plant. The most significant thing, as ever, is good, healthy soil and a quality planting area. It doesn't matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting ways are just as any other shrub. Make sure the spot you pick out has good drainage, gets enough of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your roses. Ahead of planting, any dead leaves and thin or rotted shoots need to be cut off. Any damaged or very long roots also need to be cut back. Soak bare-root roses in water about 10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water the soil before planting also. Make sure the hole you have dug is big enough for the root growth of the rose. Also it is a good idea to use compost or mulch. After all, roses like additional nutrients just like any other plant.

Roses ask for the same things as other plants; they are just a little needier. One of the most important things to think of in rose gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will ask for numerous fertilizer applications. Fertilizing should be started in early spring and stopped in early fall. Be sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should go with directions) and water after each feeding. Roses want big amounts of water; a exhaustive watering twice a week should be adequate.

Pruning is an necessary part to flower gardening. It increases blossoms and advances healthy plant growth. Different assortments of roses have different directions for pruning, so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is indicated.

The main thing to recollect in rose gardening is to water, water, and water some more. One extra thing about rose gardening is the amount of fertilizer and nutrients you will need to use, and the pruning that needs to be done to keep your roses under control and healthy. Although rose gardening asks for a little more time and roses are more work, they are one of the most unique and beautiful plants, and unquestionably worth the additional work.

About the Author

To learn about dutch tulip and tulip trees, visit the Planting Tulips website.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Growing Roses for Dummies

by Richard Allen

Growing Roses For Dummies

Over the years, roses have been labelled difficult to grow and maintain, and not for the beginner gardener. If rose gardening is something you were thinking of getting into in the garden, don't let these rumours stop you.

Our growing roses for dummies guide is a good place to start. While rose gardening can prove to be challenging, once you get the hang of it, it really isn't that bad.

So, growing roses for dummies - here goes.... When you first start rose gardening, you will first have to choose what type of rose you wish to plant, and no, I'm not just talking about the colour.

You will have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses. Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring. They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable. Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bag or box with something around the roots to retain moisture, such as sawdust. Container-grown roses are grown; you guessed it, in containers. They will be either budding or already in bloom when they become available in the early spring.

That is the first part of the growing roses for dummies guide complete, now on to the next stage - planting.

Rose garden planting is not too dis-simular than planting other types of plant. The most important thing, as always, is good, healthy soil and a prime planting area. It doesn't matter whether your roses are bare-root or containergrown, the planting methods are the same as any other shrub. Make sure the spot you choose has good drainage, gets plenty of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your roses. Before planting, any dead leaves and thin or decayed shoots need to be cut off. Any damaged or very long roots also need to be trimmed. Soak bare-root roses in water about 10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water the soil before planting as well. Make sure the hole you have dug is large enough for the root growth of the rose. Also it is a good idea to use compost or mulch. After all, roses like extra nutrients just like any other plant.

We are now half way through the growing roses for dummies guide, see it's not as hard as you thought? Anyway, to continue....

Roses require the same things as other plants, just a bit more. One of the most important things to remember in rose gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will need several fertilizer applications. Fertilizing should be started in early spring and discontinued in early autumn. Make sure not to over-fertilize (fertilizer should come with instructions) and water after each feeding. Roses will need a thorough watering about twice a week as they require large quantities of water.

That's the care part of the growing roses for dummies guide complete, now on to pruning your roses.

With flower gardening pruning is essential. It increases blooms and encourages healthy plant growth. Different varieties of roses have different instructions for pruning, so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is suggested.

Now for some final guidelines to follow in our guide - growing roses for dummies....

The main thing to remember with rose gardening is to water, water, and water some more. One other thing about rose gardening is the amount of fertilizer and nutrients you will need to use, and the pruning that needs to be done to keep your roses under control and healthy. Even though rose gardening takes a little more time and roses are more work, they are one of the most unique and beautiful plants, and definitely worth the extra work.

We hope you have enjoyed the growing roses for dummies guide and have found this useful.


About the Author

Allens Nurseries are an experienced family run garden nursery in East Anglia, United Kingdom. Please visit our website at http://www.allensnurseries.co.uk for lots of free gardening information including gardening made easy! You can also sign up to our two monthly e-zine - all for free!

Friday, January 09, 2009

Rose Gardening Queries - 4 Wonderful Ways To Get Solutions For Your Queries!

By Abhishek Agarwal

Every gardener has some questions regarding gardening for which he needs assistance to solve them. We usually have no clue as to whom to approach, or the places to visit to have the gardening questions answered. Rose gardening, especially, can have you baffled ever so often. We require all possible backing to help us emerge from this predicament. Well, the following are some of the places you could visit to get expert advice on problems relating to rose gardening.

1. Internet: These days there are countless number of gardening and home enhancement websites, which can solve any kind of gardening queries. Rose experts regularly write articles or they have FAQ columns on these websites, and hence you realize that you will receive excellent guidance. Moreover, websites that put up roses for sale will usually host an instructions section as well, which will effectively resolve any gardening queries that you may have. These rose websites are excellent in making available the best growing and trimming information. Plus, they will provide sound advice on the available novel rose varieties every year.

2. Books: Most gardening books are able to handle your most crucial gardening queries. Handbooks on roses are wonderful to have in your home library. They can supply you with a ready solution to nearly any difficulty you may be facing with your rose garden. The local garden outlet will probably have an extensive range of gardening books to select from.

3. Gardening Clubs: Becoming a member of the community gardening club can yield wonderful results. Besides gathering all the relevant information regarding your activity, you will also be provided with the chance to interact with gardening specialists and to forge new relations.

Moreover, you can go to seminars, which are very enlightening and will suitable settle your rose gardening problems. Rose clubs are located in quite a few areas. You can scan the local listings to check if there is a gardening club devoted to the growing of roses in your neighborhood.

4. Magazines: There are several magazines related to gardening that are definitely worth subscribing for. These magazines contain articles that encompass all the gardening aspects, right from the fundamentals to more sophisticated skills. You will have at your disposal sufficient professional advice to boost your gardening wisdom. In addition, there are usually filled with stunning photographs that will provide you with fantastic ideas and enthuse you to create a captivating garden.

Thus, you can observe that a number of ways exist by which your rose gardening queries can be answered. You can relax and enjoy your gardening with the support of these marvelous resources. In case you are in a jam with regard to your rose garden, simply check with any of the listed resources to assist you with this predicament. Before long, you will become a professional yourself and will be dispensing valuable rose gardening advice in your neighborhood!

Abhishek is an avid Gardening enthusiast and he has got some great Gardening Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 57 Pages Ebook, "Your Garden - Neighbor's Envy, Owner's Pride!" from his website http://www.Gardening-Master.com/762/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

The Rose, the Queen of Window Plants

by Sarah Martin

In the continued list of plants appropriate for window gardening, we come to the queen of flowers, the Rose. A book, rather than a single article, should be devoted to this flower; but as our space is limited, we must with a word, dismiss the large divisions of June, Hardy or Hybrid Perpetuals, Provence, Damask, Galic, Moss, Climbing, Austrian, Noisette, and Banksian Roses, each, of which would require a separate treatise, and confine ourselves to the China, Bourbon, and Tea families.

Many of the others are of great value for the greenhouse, some being, in our climate, purely greenhouse roses, and others being invaluable for forcing; but none succeed with parlor culture, though many are well known in the garden, and may claim more than a passing mention when we come to other articles on flower gardens and shrubbery.

China Rose

Without further ado, the China rose. While treating of parentage, we may also include the tea rose, which, with the China, comes from the same ancestor, the Rosa Indica and its varieties. From this; stock come all the China and tea-scented roses, which, by skilful hybridization, are now so multiplied that already their name is legion.

Properly speaking, the three roses which are the oldest, and may be considered parents of the race, are Bosa Indica, the common Chinese rose, R. semperflorens, the crimson or sanguinea rose, and R. odorata, the Chinese or sweet-scented tea rose.

The China rose and its hybrids are usually stout growing and sometimes of a close, twiggy habit. With us they will not endure the winter without protection, but south of Baltimore, stand out uninjured.

They are the common rose of window gardening, and are known as "monthly roses." The colors vary from white to deep crimson or red, running through all the shades of blush and pink.

They are often exposed for sale in early spring at the corners of streets and in the market places, every little shoot being crowned with a bud or flower. The foliage is generally smooth, glossy, and fine cut, clothing every little twig, and of a lively, fresh appearance.

It will survive almost any treatment, and will live if but a ray of sunlight can reach it. It is the poor man's friend and clings to him in every vicissitude; yet, while possessing adaptability to circumstances in a remarkable degree, no plant will better repay care and attention. Cleanliness, washing, and syringing are essential to good health; give plenty of light, and it will repay you by abundance of bloom.

Though as its common names (daily or monthly rose) imply, it will not bloom every day, yet there will seldom be a day when it will not have a flower or a bud upon it. It will ask you, too, for an occasional smoking; for the green fly is very fond of the delicate juices of its young shoots, and this indeed of all roses. Do not give it too large a pot. Roses will do well in smaller pots, in proportion to their size, than almost any other plant.

About the Author

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in home improvement, landscaping, and gardening. Get more information regarding plants.