Rose Garden Care

10 Easy Ways to Deal with Rose Diseases

2009-11-21T02:24:00.000-08:00

by Catherine Martin

Rose diseases are a common occurrence if you do not know the proper way to take care of roses. There are certain conditions to be met, including enough sunlight, nutrient-rich soil, and adequate watering. Unfortunately, these elements at their best do not guarantee that your roses will be 100 percent free of infections.

It is good to understand that there are three main kinds of plant diseases: fungal, bacterial, and viral. The most common of these are those caused by fungi that proliferate in humid environments where rainfall is heavy and temperatures are rising. Though they are the most common, fungal plant diseases are also the easiest to deal with. Bacterial and viral diseases can usually only be treated by taking out the infected canes or taking out the entire plant itself.

In this article are 10 easy ways to deal with fungal diseases. There are also some pieces of advice on what you can do to prevent bacteria and viruses from infecting your rose plants.

1. Before you even start planting and caring for your roses, look up books, magazines, and the Internet for the most disease-resistant roses. You can also ask the advice of other gardeners or the salespeople from your gardening stores. The most disease-resistant roses are mostly of modern varieties, such as hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, and climbers. Some English roses, those cultivated by English rosarian David Austin himself, are also good varieties for being low-maintenance. Check out Abraham Darby, Gertrude Jekyll, Graham Thomas, and Heritage Roses.

2. Diversify your garden. It is known among gardening circles that rose diseases proliferate most commonly among monocultures, or huge expanses of land covered by plants of the same type. It helps to grow other plants in between your roses.

3. Know the proper way of watering your roses and practice it. Watering is one of the most essential elements of care of roses because they have strict requirements when it comes to moisture. Roses love plenty of water, but they hate it when water is sprinkled down their leaves and stems, which, in fact, is the biggest no-no when it comes to preventing rose diseases. Water them through the roots instead; this helps strengthen the roots and prepare the plants for droughts that may occur in the future.

4. Make sure that your roses receive enough sunlight for them to grow healthily. Water them early in the morning so they have enough time to dry in the midday sun. This locks out moisture from the leaves, thus keeping out micro-cultures from developing on them overnight.

5. Feed your roses with the right diet. As the human body needs all the right nutrients for it to function properly, so does the rose plant. Feeding your roses means applying the right amount of fertilizers at the right time. A good combination is N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) in a 1:2:1 ration applied generously in early spring and right after each blooming season.

6. Abnormalities on the leaves of your roses are sure signs of a fungal disease. The minute you see anything odd on them, take out your pruning shears and cut them away cleanly. These abnormalities can be anything, from spots, patches, lesions, cracks, and powdery substances that grow on the leaves or stems. Take care that all infected leaves and stems are thrown away or burned and don't let them come into contact with the healthy parts of your plants. Never use those cut-away parts for your compost.

7. Spray on fungicides. You can buy commercial fungicides from a gardening supply store, but there are also homemade recipes that are just as effective as those chemical fungicides, for a cheaper and more earth-friendly cost. One such recipe is this: Combine 1 gallon of water with 3 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of non-detergent dishwashing liquid, or 1 teaspoon of canola oil. Use this mixture to spray on your rose plants once every two weeks to prevent diseases. Use this more often in rainy regions or just after trimming off infected parts.

8. Clean up your garden. Although keeping that natural "forest floor" appearance may look beneficial for your gardens, it will actually worsen the situation. Dead leaves that have fallen off may contain cultures of the fungus that have caused the disease in the first place. It is also possible that the spores of certain diseases such as rust and black spot are still alive in the leaves and may possibly be flown away by the wind into other plants.

9. Use a good deal of mulch to increase soil drainage and protect the roots from extreme weather conditions. Many of the most damaging infections, such as brown canker, aim for the roots. To keep your roses from falling for these diseases, apply at least two inches of mulch made of grass clippings, wood chips, pine needles, and other organic mulch materials.

10. Use clean and sterilized tools when pruning your roses. Your roses should not be exposed to anything that may be infected with microorganisms that bring infections.

Enough said. These are the best pieces of advice we can recommend when it comes to preventing diseases and treating your rose plants that have already been infected. Practice all of the steps mentioned above and your roses will show you how grateful they are in the form of healthy stems and vibrant blooms.

About the Author
Catherine Martin comes from a long line of passionate rose lovers, growers and enthusiasts. As an author, she is committed to demystifying the common rose, so that all who wish to can grow them easily. For more great information on rose diseases, visit http://www.rosegardeningexpert.com

The Best Way To Do Organic Rose Gardening

2009-09-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

by James Tyree

Organic rose gardening is something which many gardeners are beginning to explore. It's hardly a new idea; until relatively recently, organic gardening was the only type of gardening there was. There's no need for man-made pesticides and fertilizers to have an incredible rose garden.

When you choose to garden organically, you'll not only have healthier roses, but you'll also be able to prevent exposing yourself, your family and your pets as well as wild animals to potentially hazardous chemicals.

After all, the natural world (including roses) have gotten along just fine without human intervention. It's when we decide that we can improve on nature that problems start to crop up.

The way things usually work is this: the leaves of plants carry out the process of photosynthesis, where sunlight is turned into energy, while their roots absorb nutrients and water from the soil. The soil contains organisms which break down organic materials into their constituent components - the nutrients which roses and other plants rely upon.

The man-made pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which non-organic gardeners use can kill the natural organisms present in the soil and upset the balance which roses depend on. When the bacteria which naturally exist in the soil in a symbiotic relationship with the plant are not present, fungi and other organisms can set up shop and cause damage to your roses. Roses can also become dependent on these artificial fertilizers, which starts an unhealthy, unnatural cycle.

It's actually quite easy to grow roses organically - it's also less expensive. You just don't use the chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. You can use natural methods of fertilization and pest control; if the soil in your garden needs a little enriching, you can easily take care of this.

Using compost is the best way to enrich the soil in your garden. Start a compost pile in your garden with leaf mulch, grass clippings and other organic components (fruit peels, coffee grounds and the like). These materials will break down, producing a nutrient-rich compost.

Composting is easy to do. You can make a compost pile or compost in a container, though you will need to stir your compost occasionally to make sure that your compost is breaking down properly.

Organic rose gardening doesn't use chemical pesticides, though there are natural pest control methods you can employ. Generally, the insects which can damage your plants can be kept under control through the action of their natural predators. When you use artificial pesticides, you not only kill the harmful insects but the beneficial ones as well.

Ladybugs are one of a gardener's best friends, as are parasitic wasp species; these insects will happily eat other insects which can threaten your roses. Birds, lizards, frogs and snakes are also good to have in your garden. If you're having pest problems which natural predators can't keep under control, then there are organic, natural pesticides available which are non-toxic (except to harmful insects) which rose gardeners can use.

There are even pesticides which target a specific type of insect pest, leaving others unaffected.

There's no need to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow roses with large, beautiful, fragrant blooms. An organic rose garden does require an investment, though this is an investment of the gardener's time and effort rather than money spent on chemicals - the roses you'll grow using organic methods are a reward which is more than worth the undertaking.

About the Author
James Tyree is a rose gardening enthusiast. For more great tips on organic rose gardening, visit http://www.care4roses.com.

4 Container Rose Gardening Tips You Need to Know

2009-08-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

by Avinash

Rose bushes are one of the most beautiful home grown flowers ever! If you start container rose gardening, you will have the opportunity of having a beautiful rose landscape right in your own home. There are many types of roses that you can use when doing container rose gardening and in this article I will provide three important tips for starting a successful container rose garden.

1) Container Rose Gardening- Start up: To start of with, you will require a container that is large enough and strong enough to plant your roses in. you can either buy a container for your roses or you can improvise and use anything suitable. I prefer to save money and use a large container, such as old buckets, and anything that I find lying around.

2) Gardening fertilizer: Roses, by nature require much more nutrients than many other plants so you will have to choose fertilizer wisely. Although you can purchase commercial rose soil, it's much better to make your own organic compost (in my opinion). Since container rose gardening does not require too much soil, its not that expensive to use special rose soil. Which ever you decide to use will not really affect the quality of the roses,

3) Best container gardening roses: There are three main types of roses that you can get. These are bare root, container grown, and pre-packaged roses. If you are going to get your roses from a local nursery, then its okay to buy bare roots, but if you have to travel a great distance for the rose then pre-packaged ones are the best. They are sold in little containers which are filled with sawdust to keep the moisture in. if you want fast results however, then you can buy container grown roses which will be in the "budding" stage.

4) Planting your roses: Now for the messy part of container raised gardening, the planting! Its best that you water the soil thoroughly before you plant the roses. After you have covered the roots with soil, add a layer of mulch to help keep the moisture in.

About the Author
As you can see, container rose gardening is that hard after all! You just need to preserver and not give up. However, it is helpful to learn about how to grow perfect roses every time, so check out Rose Secrets Revealed.

Growing Roses In A Container

2009-07-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

by Juliet Sadler

If you want to grow roses in a container, make sure the pot is as large as possible a minimum of 25 litres or half a barrel and ensure continued watering and regular feeding. Generally, the smaller roses are more successful.

Dead heading - Remove the flowers as they die, this will not only to keep the plant looking good, but also to encourage speedy repeat flowering. With a variety that produces many flowers in a cluster, each bloom can easily be snapped off and, when the last bloom has died, cut the stem back to the first full sized leaf. Alternatively, 12" (30cm) or more of the stem can be removed if you want to restrict the size of the plant during the growing season. This is particularly important in hot climates. If the variety normally produces attractive hips then the flowers should not be removed. Pruning -Firstly remove any dead, diseased or very weak growth from the plant. Remove stems that have become very old and woody and that are not producing vigorous new stems.

Hybrid tea roses - these are the large flowering varieties. Late February or early March is the time usually set aside for pruning roses. Prune these roses back to three to five of the strongest (young) canes. Then shorten the canes in this manner. Any cane that is the size (diameter) of pencil, prune back to 4 to 8 inch (10-20cm) from the ground; canes the size of your little finger prune back to 8 to 12 inch (20-30cm) from the ground; and canes the size of your forefinger should be pruned back to 12 to 18 inch (30-45cm) from the ground. Any of the larger canes, thumb sized or larger, prune them back to two feet or less, if possible.

Floribunda roses - these are the bushy small flowering type roses. Simply head the bushes back to about 15 to 18 inch (37.5-45cm) from the ground. Thin out a few of the canes for good air circulation and better light exposure.

Climbing roses - the previous year's flowering shoots should be reduced to 3 or 4 buds or about 6" (15cms). Train them against a wall, fence or on a trellis. Climbing rose canes have a tendency to grow upward, pull them down and train them outward so as to openup and space the canes. This procedure should result in a lot more flowers and a much better looking plant. Ramblers should be left to ramble at will unless they need to be constrained, in which case treat them as climbers.

Shrub roses - Repeat flowering bush / shrub roses should be cut down by between 1/3 and 2/3. Non- repeating shrubs need little if any pruning.

About the Author

To learn about australian tree fern and christmas fern, visit the Plants And Flowers website.

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2009-07-05T19:07:00.001-07:00

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Hot Tips For Growing And Enjoying Your Own Great Roses

2009-06-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

I love flowers of all kinds, but to me the Rose is the queen of the flower garden.

The color, fragrance and elegance of a Rose turns any garden space into a spectacular site.

Roses have been a symbol of peace, love, friendship and even death almost since the beginning of time. They have always been considered in the best of taste for any special event, such as weddings, anniversaries and birthdays, just to name a few.

Roses can be purchased by anyone at a florist shop, but a true lover of roses will want to have their own rose garden.

There are many ways for you to have your own rose garden. Whether it might be to transform a small dingy spot in your yard into a spectacular site by planting a few rose bushes or planting a climbing rose to cover a wall. If you are limited in space, you might want to consider container gardening by just placing a few rose plants on your patio or deck and leave them in pots.

There are many types of roses and many ways to utilize their beauty. But whatever type you choose or how or where you grow them, to get the best from a rose you must give it proper care and attention.

Most people do not realize that roses require almost as much water as people in order to stay healthy and flourish. Even in rainy weather roses still should be watered, because rain alone cannot provide the right amount of moisture for them to thrive.

Be careful not to water the petals or canes. This can cause fungal disease.

Once the roses are established you can cut the watering to once a week unless the weather becomes very hot and dry, in which case you should water twice a week.

You should also fertilize your roses on a regular basis, this is how they get much needed nutrients. The soil alone cannot provide all of the nutrients that your roses require to show their beauty in all it's glory.

You should prune your roses in the early spring, cutting the dead and damaged branches first. Make sure that your pruning shears are sharp, so that you can make a good clean cut.

Mulching your roses is a good idea, because it helps to lessen the maintenance. Roses that are mulched require less watering, weeding and it helps to lessen the threat of diseases. When mulching it is best to use organic types such as pine needles, grass clippings and wood chips.

One does not have to be an experienced or accomplished gardener to transform a small area in the yard into the center piece of his or her neighborhood. Although rose gardening does require a little more skill and patience than just sticking a plant in the ground and waiting for it to grow, the knowledge and skill to become a premier rose gardener is not hard to acquire or understand. Just follow a few simple rules that have been perfected over centuries of rose gardening.

It can seem like a lot of work and time consuming too, but by observing a few principles such as proper watering, fertilizing, mulching and pruning, you will see your ross reach their peak of beauty and provide you with a great feeling of accomplishment. You are just a short time away from creating a spectacular rose garden.

May You Always Walk In Sunshine

About the Author

Hal Archer has been an avid gardener most of his life. His greatest joy and feeling of accomplishment comes from creating a spectacular rose garden and sharing his experience gardening tips with others. For more excellent gardening tips visit http://byarcher.com/grow-a-spectacular-rose-garden/

How to Control Rust on Roses

2009-05-25T03:25:00.000-07:00

by Thomas B. Chuong

Discovering how to control rust on roses can be difficult, but with the proper tools and instructions it is something that you can do. No one likes finding rust on their beautiful roses which is why it's necessary to know how to control rust on roses.

Roses have always been known as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world and many people purchase them all year long. When you have them in your garden you will want to keep them looking beautiful so prevent them from ever encountering diseases or fungus that could quickly kill them off.

Many climates are burdened with the fungal disease known as rust that takes over the roses. Usually it will be located on the underside of the rose's foliage appearing to have yellow and orange spots throughout. It tends to resemble velvet that is rust colored which is why it's got the name rust disease.

When you first notice that your roses bushes are being affected by rust you should right away remove all the fallen leaves and petals that are under laying the rose bush. This could be the cause as to why your roses are having an outbreak of rust as usually the rust spores get onto the roses by the backsplash of water onto the leaves and stems of your roses.

There are many gardeners that make the mistake of watering roses from above, but it is actually much better to water a rose bush at the bottom by pouring the water onto the base of your rose bush. This prevents the chance of splash back onto the roses that may cause rust disease from breaking out.

Also make sure that you are watering your roses early in the morning as this will help them grow better during the day time and not go thirsty waiting for an evening watering.

Roses can take a lot of effort as they are a very demanding flower, but when you have the ability to grow beautiful roses everyone will comment. They are one of the hardest flowers to grow and keep beautiful, but if you know how to control rust on roses you can really be on your way to having the most beautiful rose bushes on your block. Grow beautiful roses each and every year by taking care of them properly and knowing how to avoid any disease outbreaks, especially a rust disease.

About the Author

Thomas B. Chuong is currently writing about topics related to home improvement & decor, personal fitness, and home & garden. Find out more by visiting these sites Bar Stool, and Bunk Bed.

The Tools You Need To Create A Beautiful Rose Garden

2009-04-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

by Josiah Smart

Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you have the right tools. Before heading out to your rose garden, make sure you arm yourself with these basic rose gardening tools.

Gloves

"You can complain because a rose has thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have a rose." - Tom Wilson.

The rose garden is no place for thin, wimpy gloves. Unless you enjoy feeling the thorns pierce your skin, opt for leather work gloves with those big, fold-down cuffs.

Pruners

A good pruner is one tool that you will use almost daily. There are two types of pruners on the market. One is called an "anvil" pruner, and the other is called a "bypass" pruner. An anvil pruner has blades that meet on top of each other. Bypass pruners have blades that pass each other like scissors. Always use bypass pruners so you don't crush your canes and stems.

Loppers

When your rose garden starts to mature there will come a time when loppers will be indispensable for cutting back old, thick canes that are too much for pruning shears. If you are just starting your rose garden, save your money, since you won't need this for a few years.

Kneeling Pads

Some people prefer the big 8"x15" water-resistant pads with handles, while others prefer strap-on knee pads. The kneepads are more convenient because they move when you move, but the one-size-fits-all knee cups may not work for you. In that case, the pad with handles should suit you fine.

Short Digging Fork

This tool is indispensable for turning and loosening soil in small patches. Choose a good quality model with steel tines and a sturdy handle.

Watering Wand

Great for watering potted roses and for giving your other roses a good root soaking. Choose a model with a quick shutoff valve on the wand itself, and a quick release fitting for the end that attaches to the hose. Spend the money to get a wand with brass fittings instead of plastic. It will last years longer.

Long-Handled Shovel

Choose a lightweight model with a strong handle. Shovels with fiberglass throats are good choices. Spend a few extra dollars and get one with a padded handle, and it will save you lots of blisters as the years go by.

Wheelbarrow

Avoid the temptation to buy the cute garden "carts." You are going to need a real wheelbarrow. As your gardening addiction--I mean hobby--takes off there will be no end to the things you will be hauling in and out of your garden. Some of those things will be very heavy and you'll be glad that you have a real wheelbarrow to help you.

Garden Rake

This is the rake with the sharp steel teeth that you use for leveling and smoothing beds. Choose one with a sturdy handle and steel tines.

Leaf Rake

You'll use this tool often for cleaning up clippings, leaves and other garden debris. You may want to buy both a regular size rake, and one of the smaller "child size" rakes for pulling debris from tight quarters.

You shouldn't have any trouble locating these basic rose gardening tools. Your local garden supply store will likely stock them, or if you don't mind purchasing gently-used items, check out yard sales for your gardening supplies.

About the Author
To learn about freesia facts and gerbera facts, visit the Plants And Flowers website.

You Can Grow Roses With Home Hydroponics

2009-03-10T03:39:00.000-07:00

by Lewis Dobson

Regardless of whether you love the smell of fresh roses, or making potpourri from the petals, there is nothing quite like growing roses in your own garden. Unfortunately, many areas do not have a climate that will enable grafted roses to grow and thrive. Fortunately, you can easily grow roses with a home hydroponics system.

Have you always wanted to grow a perfect blue rose, along with green, black, and purple ones? As you may be aware, many of these exotic rose colors result from a variance in nutrients found in the soil. For example, if a blue roses is kept in a certain type of soil, it will take on a reddish color. In a similar way, a red rose bush may produce yellow roses when the pH of the soil is not optimal.

When you use a home hydroponics system to grow roses, you can be assured that each plant will get the exact nutrients that it needs. At the same time, you will always be able to control lighting and temperatures. This is especially important to consider if you want to experiment with grafting, as well as creating your own strains of roses. As you may be aware, successfully grafting roses requires a good bit of patience and effort.

There is no question that growing roses challenges many gardeners. At the same time, if you go to a florist, you may not always enjoy the smell of roses that have been sitting in a refrigerator. Fortunately, when you create a hydroponics system like the ones found in The Hydroponics Garden Collection, you will be able to do all kinds of fascinating experiments with roses. You may even find that you will be able to create a stunning new rose color, or even one with multi-colored petals.

About the Author

Lewis Dobson is the director of popular blog Backyard-Garden-And-Patio.Com. He is an expert on horse racing and his blog contains stacks of information on things like homemade hydroponics and much more. Get free tips from her site today.

Pruning Roses in a Dry Mediterranean Climate - The Purpose of Annual Pruning

2009-02-12T00:52:00.000-08:00

by Jonathan Yaakobi

The second half of winter is the best time for pruning most rose shrub varieties in the mild winters typical of a Mediterranean climate. The purpose of pruning however, is not always clear to the home gardener. "Well it's what roses need isn't" - is a common remark. There are in fact two main reasons for giving your roses a good annual prune.

Better Flowers

Flower buds that develop on the new growth that sprouts from a pruning cut are likely to be more numerous and of better quality than from those flower buds that open on old wood. Moreover, the flowers should be more or less at eye level, as opposed to a bush that is not pruned. In the latter case, especially after the passing of a few years, the flowers tend to be at a height that reduces their visual effect and significance.

Removing Old Growth

The second reason for pruning is to pave the way for juvenile branches to develop by the removal of old or aging wood. Providing there are a number of new limbs growing, one or two old branches can be cut down as far as the bud union. This has the additional effect of exposing the bud union to direct sunlight, thereby inducing fresh buds to sprout and develop into young branches.

Similarly, removing week and thin branches directs the plant's energy into the young branch tissue, and therefore, a few weeks later, into the flowers. Removing the tangle of thorns and branches, allows more light into the center of the bush, with the afore-mentioned effect of encouraging, young, healthy, and vibrant tissue.

Extending the Roses' "Shelf Life"

Overall, pruning probably does not extend the life of the plant. In fact if anything, it may well result in reducing it. However, as gardeners, we are concerned with the quality of the plant's existence, and the contribution it makes to the beauty of the garden. In this regard, the annual pruning of most rose varieties increases the years by which they perform satisfactorily.

Warning

Just be careful that your roses are not those species that flower on the growth that originated in the previous spring. If pruned in the winter they simply will not bloom later as the flower buds will have removed!

About the Author

For FREE hands-on, expert information on gardening click here

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Jonathan Ya'akobi

Your Personal Gardening Coach

The Introduction To Rose Gardening

2009-01-22T03:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Growing Roses for Dummies

2009-01-14T00:02:00.000-08:00

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!

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

2009-01-09T02:23:00.000-08:00

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.

The Rose, the Queen of Window Plants

2009-01-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

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.

The Art of Growing and Showing Roses.

2008-11-25T04:42:00.000-08:00

by Trevor Dalley

Modern hybrid Perpetual Roses Are They The Best?

We have noticed that over the last 20 years the world has gone mad on Roses. After a decline following the second world war, Roses seem to be back in favour. With all of the modern Hybrid Tea Roses in production there is certainly a huge amount to choose from.

Most gardens have special beds set aside for the growing of Roses, whether they are the modern H.T. types, the old favourites like shrub roses and the very quaint fairy or miniature roses, all are most suited to any growing conditions.

It is a most wonderful thing for a writer to be able to sit outside on a warm June day, in a garden where the wind is blowing softly and the perfume of rose blossoms mingles with the scent of a recently mown lawn, summer is defiantly on its way.

It would seem that we have the Rose fascination again, and how better can spare time be spent? Rose growing brings fresh beauty into sordid lives. And intensifies the interest of those that are already full.

Chance moments snatched from busy days, long working hours, how nice it is to be repaid in full and with interest just for a few hours in the autumn planting your new Rose bushes.

The Rose has increased appreciation of the beautiful, which is brought home to the Rose grower in mid summer, also, perhaps, to those who have never felt the magick attraction of these perfumed rose flowers. The rose grower is a special person who feels closer to nature.

For is it not true that many can trace their love of gardening, which rightly regarded, is no more, no less, than a practical demonstration of a real, abiding love for flowers, from the time when the rose, the queen of flowers, made her first appeal?

Many of us have been equally fascinated, and while nothing else has been able to drag us from our beds at sin in the morning, the rose has done it, and many of us now regard it as the most natural thing in the world that our roses should be first care at the beginning of each new day.

As in rose growing, or growing everything else, one has to begin at the soil, for it is the soil that nourishes the roots, the roots that feed the leaves, the leaves that support the blossoms.

Take care of the soil, might I say, and the flowers will take care of themselves. Preparation and planting is the overwhelming issue for a very productive rose bush to thrive.

If you wish to read more please go to http://howtogardenbetterhome1.blogspot.com its all free.

About the Author

Trevor Dalley has been growing Fuchsias and Chrysanthemums for sale to the gardening public commercially for the last Click here to visit Classy Groundcovers to purchase high-quality ground covers at a great price.

Growing Roses - 5 Secrets to Growing Show-Quality Blooms

2008-10-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

by David LeAche

My interest in growing roses is always re-charged when I get to visit my local rose show, and whenever I attend one of these annual events I like to take another rose enthusiast with me.

Our afternoon at the show always seems to produce the same sort of questions regarding the growing of show quality blooms and the inevitable inquiry, "what's the secret?"

Fortunately, growing roses with rose-show quality blooms is not as difficult as it might appear.

In fact, with just a few pointers and a little extra time spent in the rose bed, you could easily be the envy of your friends and neighbors, especially if you are cultivating hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras or miniatures.

So, what are the "secrets?"

1. Pick a winner in the first place.

When you look over the entries at a rose-show it seems like the same roses win on a consistent basis, so why not start by growing these winning names in the first place?

Of course the area you live will dictate the actual winners list but if you contact the nearest rose-society they will give you a list of last years and this years winners.

Make some comparisons and buy the roses that win, obviously they do best in your area and they have the pedigree you need. Find one you like and pick a winner to start with!

Your rose growing efforts should go into a bush with potential.

2. Prune low to produce quality stems.

If you are considering Tea roses these will need to be pruned very low in the spring to promote basal breaks and new canes that can be trained to be straight. The longer the straight cane of the rose the better. Straight, long stems are a must in rose shows and will make your blooms stand out as being something extra special. Prune away side shoots that will produce extra stems and watch for the 'straight and true'.
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Pay close attention to pruning when building your list of rose growing activities.

3. Finger prune carefully.

A big secret to getting the bigger show blooms is to carefully finger prune out all but the largest, center bud on each stem. This has to be done very early when the buds first develop. This allows space and nutrients for one bloom, not several. If it is done carefully with a sharp fingernail, early in the spring there will be no sign of removal. No scar will remain on the stem and the center bloom will grow larger.

Growing roses should be a 'hands on affair'!

4. Use liquid organic fertilizer

The quickest way to get nutrients to your roses is with a liquid fertilizer, and the best solutions are mixed with organic ingredients, which are most readily absorbed by the plant.

Liquid fish meal or liquid kelp, for example, should be applied at least every two weeks during the growing season if you want to maintain strong stems and large, healthy blooms.

Roses thrive on a thorough watering on a regular basis and liquid organic fertilizer is a show bloom necessity.

5. Consider umbrellas and fridges!

In order to protect your blooms as they open, you will need to keep them safe from the elements.

Direct hot sun, wind or heavy rain will all have an effect on the color, intensity and shape of your prize rose. Petals are easily damaged and stems are easily broken.

Small umbrellas fixed to garden stakes, movable pots for placement out of the direct sun and paper cups used as "little hats" are all methods rose show enthusiasts use--anything to protect their prized possessions.

Which reminds me that if your blooms start to open up early, before you need them to, cut them, put them in water and put them in the fridge at about 65 degrees. Blooms can remain in the fridge, undamaged, for about four days, and when taken out and their stems re-cut, will look as if they were freshly cut.

I have won many ribbons at various rose shows over the years and the five pointers outlined above have been the backbone of my efforts. You don't have to take your roses to the local rose show but if you follow the five tips above, you will be delighted with the blooms that you can grow.

Growing roses just got a little more exciting.

About the Author

David LeAche is the author of Rose-Works.com where you can find out all about rose growing, photographing roses, crafts with roses and using petals, hips and rose-water. FREE monthly newsletter and FREE e-book for subscribers. Find out how this website came to be so popular by visiting About Us

The Art of Growing and Showing Roses.

2008-09-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

by Trevor Dalley

Modern hybrid Perpetual Roses Are They The Best?

We have noticed that over the last 20 years the world has gone mad on Roses. After a decline following the second world war, Roses seem to be back in favour. With all of the modern Hybrid Tea Roses in production there is certainly a huge amount to choose from.

Most gardens have special beds set aside for the growing of Roses, whether they are the modern H.T. types, the old favourites like shrub roses and the very quaint fairy or miniature roses, all are most suited to any growing conditions.

It is a most wonderful thing for a writer to be able to sit outside on a warm June day, in a garden where the wind is blowing softly and the perfume of rose blossoms mingles with the scent of a recently mown lawn, summer is defiantly on its way.

It would seem that we have the Rose fascination again, and how better can spare time be spent? Rose growing brings fresh beauty into sordid lives. And intensifies the interest of those that are already full.

Chance moments snatched from busy days, long working hours, how nice it is to be repaid in full and with interest just for a few hours in the autumn planting your new Rose bushes.

The Rose has increased appreciation of the beautiful, which is brought home to the Rose grower in mid summer, also, perhaps, to those who have never felt the magick attraction of these perfumed rose flowers. The rose grower is a special person who feels closer to nature.

For is it not true that many can trace their love of gardening, which rightly regarded, is no more, no less, than a practical demonstration of a real, abiding love for flowers, from the time when the rose, the queen of flowers, made her first appeal?

Many of us have been equally fascinated, and while nothing else has been able to drag us from our beds at sin in the morning, the rose has done it, and many of us now regard it as the most natural thing in the world that our roses should be first care at the beginning of each new day.

As in rose growing, or growing everything else, one has to begin at the soil, for it is the soil that nourishes the roots, the roots that feed the leaves, the leaves that support the blossoms.

Take care of the soil, might I say, and the flowers will take care of themselves. Preparation and planting is the overwhelming issue for a very productive rose bush to thrive.

If you wish to read more please go to http://dalley-nurseries-onlinehome.org itâ€™s all free, we have a Guest Book if you would like to leave any comments.

About the Author

Trevor Dalley has been growing Fuchsias and Chrysanthemums for sale to the gardening public commercially for the last 40 years and is now ready to pass on money making knowledge to you the reader for free. http://gardendesignhelp.blogspot.com

Rose Gardening

2008-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

Roses have gotten a bad wrap over the years for being difficult to grow and maintain. If you are thinking of rose gardening don’t let this rumor stop you. While rose gardening can prove to be challenging, once you get the hang of it, it really isn’t that bad.

When you first start rose gardening, you will have to choose what type of rose you wish to plant, and no, I’m not talking about 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 bad 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.

Planting in rose gardening is not that much different than any other type 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 container-grown, 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.

Roses need the same things as other plants; they are just a bit needier. 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 fall. Make sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should come with instructions) and water after each feeding. Roses require large amounts of water; a thorough watering twice a week should be enough.

Pruning is an essential part to flower gardening. 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.

The main thing to remember in 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.

Landscape Gardening - Selecting Rose Bushes For A Dry Mediterranean Garden

2008-08-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

by Jonathan Yaakobi

From a landscape gardening point of view, roses, traditionally known as the Queen of the Gardens, are still unmatched in the color design options they provide. For magnificent flowers and a powerful color composition, rose bushes are still number one. Although there are many cultural requirements to consider while selecting rose bushes, it is worthwhile to be clear from the outset, as to the design role they are meant to play in the garden.

A group of roses should either fit into the garden's color scheme, or be the starting point, perhaps the focal point from which the other plants and garden elements take their cue. If a hot or warm color theme were wanted, then the reds, oranges, and deep yellows are suitable. Alternatively, a blotch of crimson or Bordeaux flowers in a garden that is predominantly pastel, would probably strike a discordant note. Randomly throwing colors together is simply poor taste and can never create a satisfying composition.

The intensity of the sun light either enhances or dissipates the quality of different colors. The pastel colors like sky blue, pink and pale lemon for example, look at their best in the soft light of Britain or Ireland, but weak and insipid in the harsh, fierce sun light of a Mediterranean or Southern Californian summer. If roses could be successfully grown in the shade or even filtered sun, then pastel colored flowers might be fine, but as they need a good six hours a day of direct sun, the hot colors tend to be more effective in such climates.

Roses are classified into a number of groups, which not only indicate the size of the bush itself, but also the form and shape of the blooms. Hybrid tea roses, such as the varieties, Chrysler Imperial, Papa Meilland, or Peace, typically have large individual flowers. They are best close to entrances and walkways, where the architectural wonder of the flowersâ€™ form can be appreciated. Many of course are highly fragrant as well.

The individual flower of the floribunda group is far less noteworthy than those of the hybrid teas, but as they produce massive quantities of flowers, the actual color effect of floribunda roses is often more spectacular, if used wisely, than their hybrid tea, or grandiflora counterparts. They are best planted therefore in larger groups, preferably in front of a wall or fence, which supply a quiet background to the rose bushes. The famous Iceberg variety is one example of a white flowering, floribunda rose, while Goldilocks, and Ginger sport yellow and orange blooms respectively.

Two other design uses of roses are as climbers on pillars and arches, or grown as espaliers trained horizontally on a wall. The great advantage in both cases is that the plants look passably good all year round, and not only when in flower. However, when in full bloom, they really come into their own. I particularly love the dramatic contrast of the dark red flowers of Don Juan on a whitewashed wall. A harmonious composition on the other hand would involve pale yellow flowers on a wall painted in ochre. Although such a combination might be less suitable in the bright, severe, Mediterranean light, it is quite a sumptuous thought nonetheless!

About the Author
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi. I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

Dealing with Rose Diseases

2008-07-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

by Piedro Molinero

To be sure that your appreciated roses stay in the best of health, just adopt these tips for your rose garden.

1. Black Spots on Leaves

This disease is usually called black spot. Black spots come along as circular with fringed edges on leaves. They make the leaves to yellow. Take away the infected leafage and collect any fallen leaves close to the rose. Artificial sprays can be applied to prevent or treat this sort of rose disease.

2. Stunted or malformed young canes

Called powdery mildew, this is a fungus disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It causes the leaves curl and become purple. Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

3. Blistered underside of leaves

Called rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that become black in fall. It can come through the winter and will then attack fresh sprouts in the spring. Collect and throw away leaves that are contaminated in autumn. A Benomyl or Funginex spray every 7-10 days may help.

4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers

This is made by spider mites. They are tiny yellow, red or green spiders found on the underside of leaves where they absorb juices. The application of Orthene or Isotox can help in addressing this plague.

5. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them

This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that are usually brown, green or red. Oftentimes clumped under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Malathion or diazinon spray can help roses to come through these bugs.

6. Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open.

Thrips could be the cause behind this problem. They are slight, brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from flower buds. Cut back and throw away the plagued flowers. Orthene and malathion can also address this problem.

Remember that roses are hungry feeders that need much fertilizer to become healthy bushes.

About the Author
Piedro Molinero is a hobby gardener and you will be able to discover more useful DIY Gardening Tips on his blog.

Have You Heard of Floribundas?

2008-07-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

by Steve Knapp

At first, the American Rose Society did not accept the term 'floribunda'. Is a rose that has been crossbred with a polyanthus still a rose? The floribunda might be dubbed the modern rose. You could think of it as an enhanced rose, bred to bring maximize the production of beautiful blossoms.

what, exactly, is a floribunda? Although many varieties have been developed, a floribunda is a hybrid that was originally a cross between a polyanthus and a hybrid tea rose. There was a man in 1920 who developed many varieties; his nickname became Papa Floribunda.

These roses are often grown to add color to the garden. The floribunda normally grows lower than most other roses - which can be a positive attribute. Sometimes called a cluster rose, the floribunda can tolerate neglect better than almost any other rose bush except shrub roses. The floribunda is a great landscape choice for its ability to provide a nearly continuous display of color.

My favorite traits of the floribunda include:

Plentiful blossoms;
Enduring blooms;
Very versatile for landscaping - they can be used as a hedge or to simply an accent the landscape;
Some varieties have a very powerful fragrance - more intense than most other roses;
Finally, they have a beautiful, delicate appearance.

They do however have a few less favorable traits including:

They're not eligible for Queen of Show;
They prefer plenty of food (to support all of those blossoms), and fare much better on a regular feeding schedule;
They take 3 full years to reach maturity;
They have shorter stems, and smaller blossoms than your standard tea rose.

Floribundas also need good air circulation; so when pruning, try to leave the center of the bush open. Good air circulation also helps to discourage insects and disease as well. You should also try to leave the older canes when pruning, this will reward you with bonus color later on. However, make sure to remove any cane that rubs another.

If you're growing a floribunda in a pot: Be sure it's got plenty of root space, good drainage, and a pot that is heavy enough to withstand any breeze they may come along. Even with floribundas, you may need to use chemicals to combat various assailants. Concentrates should be applied with care so as not to cause leaf burn.

About the Author
I'm a garden hobbyist, just like you... but I'm really good at finding answers on the internet. My friends & family have convinced me to begin sharing the information I've found that helps me keep my yard looking great all year-long. Check out my condensed eBook The Planting & Caring for Your Rose Garden now at www.PruneMyRoses.com.

Selecting Roses As Part Of A Landscape Garden Design

2008-07-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

by Jonathan Yaakobi

Spring is the season when the splendor of rose bushes is at its height. Despite their drop in popularity in recent years, mainly due to difficulties in care and maintenance, the sight of a large group of roses in full bloom, is unquestionably one of the highlights of the gardening year. While success depends on adopting correct horticultural practices, it actually starts or ends with a clear understanding of the design role to be played by the roses.

As roses are almost always grown for their flowers and not for the shape or form of the bush, (with the possible exception of climbing roses) the primary task is to carefully choose a color scheme. Randomly throwing colors together is as unlikely to achieve satisfying results in the garden, as it would be in the sitting room. Massing a single color, creates a strong, decisive design, and is always more effective than mixing colors together in a small space. A large group of Bordeaux rose flowers by a white wall for instance, can create a dramatic focal point in the garden. White flowers on the other hand, are often used by designers as a bridge or transition between different color groups.

For roses to be most effective, they have to relate well to the other elements in the garden. They are at their best where a quiet hedge serves as a background, while they tend to look in the middle of a large lawn. Roses should be given their pride of place. Planting herbaceous flowers between the bushes, whether annual or perennial, usually weakens the composition. It is preferable in my view, to cover the ground instead with a neat mulch of wood chippings.

Thought should also be given to the flower-type of the roses to be chosen. For this reason, familiarity with the various groups is desirable. Typical of hybrid tea roses for example, are large, spectacular flowers that appear singularly on each flower bud. In small intimate spaces, the architecture of the individual flower assumes greater significance than in a large border, so hybrid teas are often more suited to such locations. Floribunda roses on the other hand, produce a far greater quantity of flowers from each bud, although the individual flowers are invariably smaller and less interesting in their structure. If the effect desired is a very powerful mass of color, in a relatively large space, then choosing a variety from the floribunda group, could be preferable to a hybrid tea. Furthermore, many hybrid teas are highly fragrant, whereas floribundas are rarely so.

Although roses are grown essentially for their blooms, other design functions can also be considered. If a climbing plant is desired to cover a fence or a wall, a suitable rose could well be the answer. Miniature roses can look excellent as a transition between a lawn and a shrubbery, while some species roses (that is wild roses) enhance a Mediterranean style garden with their arching, sprawling form. Rambling roses of course can be used as large-scale ground covers.

About the Author
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi. I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

Rose Pruning For Fall And Winter Color

2008-06-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

by Steve Boulden

Roses work great for a lot of different landscaping applications. In mass groups, single displays, climbers, and in many other ways, they can add a touch of class to the garden that only roses can. If you plan on planting some, it's important to keep in mind that they do need a little care and a periodic pruning.

The proper care, form, and abundance of continuous Rose blooms requires pruning. And generally, most folks do the cutting once a year in late winter or early spring which is the best time. However, most people, and even some advanced gardeners don't realize that a second season pruning in late summer is possible and can give roses new life and an abundance of blooms through the fall.

Cutting the flowers for display and cutting off spent blooms all season will encourage more blooms throughout the season. This is true for many different flowers you grow in your garden. However, for Roses, it doesn't generally re-create the mass flowering you get in spring after the initial pruning. A good second season cutting most times will. It can also help keep some spreading diseases in check.

While dead heading (cutting off spent blooms) all season will help keep more blooms forming, the best time for a second pruning is at the end of summer when the hottest days have gone. Depending on where you are and your climate, this would generally be in August or early September.

While some Roses will produce flowers all season, not all roses will produce a mass of second bloom. Most hybrid teas, Floribundas, and Grandifloras will generally give you great results from a second season cutting. However, don't prune climbers and Roses that bloom once in the spring. By this time of the year, they're already developing next years flowers.

Second season pruning isn't as drastic as winter pruning. Don't cut back major canes the same as you would in the spring. Leave them alone until spring. Instead, concentrate on bloom bearing branches. Cut these bearing branches back to about half their existing length to a point just above an outward facing bud.

After pruning, fertilize lightly and water well. A second light fertilizing two weeks after that and your roses are ready. In six to eight weeks you'll be well rewarded for your efforts. You'll have masses of blooms that will last well into the fall and depending on where you're at, even through the winter.

About the Author
Article from The Landscape Design Site which offers free home landscaping ideas, garden plans, pictures, and professional advice. For more landscaping and garden ideas visit his site at www.the-landscape-design-site.com.

Care Of Fresh Cut Roses

2008-06-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

by Sherry Russell - Powers

The care of fresh cut roses is best done if you cut your roses when partly opened, preferably on a sunny afternoon day. Don't cut more stem than you need (unless the plant has grown too tall), and make the cut one - quarter inch above a five -part leaf.

Immediately after cutting you should condition them for an hour or two before using them in an arrangement, bouquet, or corsage. This is how you do this:

1 - First wash off any soil or spray residue with warmer, not cold, water that is on the leaves and remove any lower leaves that will be below your water line in the vase.

2 - Scrap off the thorns below the leaves with a sharp knife.

3 - Make a new, sharply slanting cut at the end of the stem and scrape a little bark off the lower inch or so. This helps the roses to absorb water.

4 - Place the roses in room-temperature water. The water should be deep enough to reach up to the lower leaves.

5 - Stand container in a cool place, out of drafts, and in an hour or two the roses will be ready for use.

Roses that have wilted-either because they are not placed in water soon enough or from drafts- can usually be revived by this procedure:

Cut off the lower inch or so of the stem at a slant. Make two scrapes one to two inches long at the base. Place the scraped part in hot water- not boiling, but a little too hot to hold your hand in - and leave them in the water until the water cools. Then place them in cold water up to the base of the flowers. In about an hour they should be totally revived and strong enough for arranging.

Keep your bouquet or arrangement away from direct heat and drafts. Add water and rose food as necessary to keep the stems well immersed.

Some of the best roses for cutting are:

Dark Red Roses such as Carrousel, Chrysler Imperial, Crimson Glory, Nocturne and Miranda

Medium Red Roses such as Starfire, New Yorker and El Capitan

Light Red or Dark Pink such as Charlotte Armstrong, Montezuma, Tallyho and Red Radiance

Medium Pink such as Queen Elizabeth, Duet, Pink Favorite, Pink Peace and Show Girl

Light Pink such as First Love, Pink Princess, Picture and Radiance

Deep Yellow such as Lowell Thomas and Gold Glow

Medium Yellow such as Eclipse, Burnaby, Buccaneer and King's Ransom

Light Yellow like McGredy's Yellow

White such as White Knight, June Bride, White Queen and Pedralbes

Orange and Orange Blend such as McGredy's Sunset, Mrs. Sam McGredy, Mojave, Aztec and Hawaii

Apricot Blend like Paramount

Pink Blend such as Tiffany, President Herbert Hoover, Mission Bells, Confidence and Good News

There are several others. You should check at your local gardening center to find which grow best in your climate.

The care of fresh cut roses is not hard to do and very rewarding.

About the Author
For more information about roses including color meaning of roses,growing roses for beginners and rose symbolic meaning visit http://www.rosetypesonline.com/

Source: www.goarticles.com

About Roses

2008-06-25T06:15:00.000-07:00

by Steve Knapp

Who doesn't love the most popular flowering plant on the planet, the rose? The beautiful rose can easily spark a conversation even among the quietest of people. Nearly everyone can tell stories of someone who has grown a gorgeous rose garden - or perhaps of someone who couldn't. Even small children know how beautiful and special roses are.

Visit your local florist and you're likely to find dozens of colors, types, and sizes of roses available. Roses would seem to be the most popular flower of all time. You can now buy various types of roses almost anywhere, from your local discount store, the supermarket, or even your neighborhood convenience store.

For me, the colors are the most appealing trait of the rose. Roses exist in a vast and varied array of rich and vibrant colors. However, I think I'm in the minority. Most people will tell you that the fragrance is what draws them to roses. The rose has a most distinctive aroma that is welcomed by nearly everyone. The scent is like no other on earth, which has led manufacturers worldwide to reproduce it in perfumes air fresheners for years. Not to mention the infinite assortment rose-scented potpourri, lotions, oils, and other bath products.

Growing your own rose bushes can be very rewarding. You can choose from a wide variety of colors, sizes, and types. Prices will vary depending on where you buy and what type and size you select. When deciding what type of rose you'd like to plant, don't forget to consider its placement. When planting roses you'll want to keep in mind that most of them do have thorns. Therefore, you might want to plant them away from areas where your small child or grandchild or other tiny visitor might happen upon something so pretty that they can't resist grabbing and end up with handful of thorns.

When planting climbing rose plants be sure you won't have vines trailing across the ground to be stomped by animals or other foot traffic. If your rose plant is the type that grows into a bush, you would want to place it in a spot that will allow for it to spread without being crowded. Always pay close attention to the sunlight requirements of the roses you choose. While most love loads of direct sunlight, some roses are delicate and unfiltered light would cook their leaves to an unwelcome brown.

Once you have chosen your rose bush, plant it with care and spend just a few minutes a week tending to its needs and you will be rewarded with a bounty of beautiful, fragrant blooms for seasons to come! Visit http://www.prunemyroses.com/ for all of the information you need to keep your rose garden healthy and beautiful.

About the Author
I'm a garden hobbyist, just like you... but I'm really good at finding answers on the internet. My friends & family have convinced me to begin sharing the information I've found that helps me keep my yard looking great all year-long. Check out my condensed eBook The Planting & Caring for Your Rose Garden now at http://www.prunemyroses.com/.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/

Finding the Best Location for Your Rose Garden

2008-06-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

By K. Finch

While surveying your property for choosing the best location for your rose garden, be sure the area has full sunlight. Remember, roses love sunshine. Roses need at least 6 hours of sunlight to grow and blossom. When you are taking up rose gardening for the first time, you should consider getting advice from your local gardening center associates, as they would be happy to provide you with free gardening tips.

Rose gardening is not so hard, although it does take some time for planning and preparing your soil beds. Basic gardening tips apply. Be sure to plant your roses in such a way as they have enough room to grow as well as the room you need to care for the plants. Keep in mind that roses do not do well in poor draining soil. Make sure your gardens are free of debris, while only using the best quality fertilizer when preparing your rose beds before planting.

Roses prefer fertile soil, high in organic materials, although they will grow in almost any type of soil. Roses also prefer chemical fertilizers over organic, therefore you should add to the soil a quantity of superphosphate before planting. Do not be shy about asking your local experts for gardening advice, many are more than happy to share their love of roses and remember to choose the fertilizer you use wisely.

As soon as all signs of frost are gone, you may begin preparing your garden for planting. Remember to:

- Clean the area- Clear the area- Prepare the soil- Fertilize the soil
When the weather begins to warm, you can plant your rose gardens and wait for the miracle of nature to occur.

As far as watering your roses, you can do so once weekly, if there is no rain. You will need to water them more frequently as the weather begins to grow hotter, however do so in the mornings. Inspect your rose bushes for disease and insects all during the summer, while keeping the soil in the area clean. Remove any debris from around them as well.

During the fall roses continue to bloom on into September and October, this means you can still enjoy them during this time. During this time, they need very little maintenance care or pruning of dead canes. Between, Thanksgiving and Christmas roses begin to go dormant, take this opportunity to prepare them for the winter.

Hardy rose bushes need little winter protection, while it is not recommendable to prune them until the first new moon of springtime. Layer a good covering of mulch at the base or the plant, to protect them from damage by frost or you can use cones to cover some of your smaller plants.

However, remember to cut the tops out of the cone, to encourage good winter air circulation.

Winter is the well deserved resting period for you and your roses, until the arrival of spring.

Then it is back to your regimen of basic gardening, preparing the soil and maintaining your roses for the wonderful enjoyment of another beautiful rose gardening season.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

Growing Roses - Planning Your Rose Garden

2008-06-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

By Haynes Miller

Springtime and everyone's thoughts tend toward planting a garden. One of the most rewarding ways to garden is growing roses. Their beauty and fragrance will enhance your yard and your reputation as a gardener. There are many ways to grow roses. You can grow climbing roses, rose bushes, miniature roses and you can even start growing roses in containers. If you choose the correct varieties, you will also be able to cut them and enjoy their beauty inside your home as well.

When I think of successful rose growing, Bree Hodge (played by Marcia Cross) from Desperate Housewives comes to mind. You know who I'm talking about! That woman is a domestic goddess, her home is always sparkling clean, she is a great cook and an award winning gardener (I think she could use some parenting tips, though!). She's fictional Fairview's Martha Stewart!
Bree would never consider growing roses without having a plan! Here are some tips to help you plan growing roses in your garden for years of beauty and enjoyment.

1. Assess your level of gardening skill. A less experienced gardener may want to choose one of the older rose breeds as they are easier to care for and hardier than the newer hybrids. Many older rose breeds were known simply as rose bushes.

2. Determine how much space you can devote to growing roses. Growing miniature roses may be ideal for gardens with limited space, but if you have a large area available, you might consider growing climbing roses which can cover an entire wall. For really limited space, try growing roses in containers.

3. Be sure the area you have chosen gets enough sunlight. Growing roses requires at least six (6) hours of direct sunlight each day. If you plant them under trees or other vegetation, they won't be exposed to enough sun and may not get enough nutrients from the soil.

4. Be sure there is adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, your roses may be exposed to excessive heat, which will stress the plants. For growing roses, find a spot which is not wind-sheltered, but still gets the required daily sunlight.

5. Don't forget about water and drainage. While growing roses, you want to be sure that they receive the equivalent of about one inch of rain per week, and remember that they require adequate drainage as they don't do well in water-logged soil.

6. Consider the colors of your rose blooms and the symmetry of your garden space. Stick to symmetrical bands of color and don't mix rose colors haphazardly.

Now that you have some guidelines for planning your rose garden get out there and grow roses!
For lots more tips, articles and resources for growing roses go to http://www.rose-growing-tips.com

Or visit my Squidoo lens at http://www.squidoo.com/rose-growing
Haynes Miller is an avid gardener whose love of rose growing began in her grandmother's garden. She shares her love of growing roses with her daughter, who picks out the colors of the plants (keeping tip 6 in mind!).

Why Grow Hybrid Tea Roses?

2008-06-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

by Steve Knapp

The hybrid tea rose could be called the flower of lovers, as it makes the perfect long-stemmed rose. It blooms repeatedly and, with proper care, can be fairly hardy. It is a cross between the tea rose and the hybrid perpetual. A hybrid tea is the perfect choice to present to the love of your life, as a special gift for a mother, or just to display on your tabletop. It will add a touch of elegance to any room whether displayed in a bouquet or as a lone flower in a vase. There are more than 235 varieties of hybrid tea roses. If you're worried about thorns, you can choose from a number of thorn-less varieties. In my humble opinion, the thorns add to the artistic charm of the flower. It demands respect and adds character.

Be sure to take proper care of your hybrid teas. To produce abundant, healthy blooms and overall health you'll need to establish a plan for feeding. Most established gardeners have determined what works best in their gardens through trial and error. One word of caution: be careful not to over-fertilizeyour roses. It's possible to chemically burn the leaves or stems if you don't follow the directions on the package. Remeber, the food is often concentrated and requires diluting. Watering heavily also helps dilute the food for the hybrid teas to process more easily and acceptably. You really only have to feed once in the spring and again in the fall. However, some gardeners may choose to feed more often.

Pruning, feeding, proper watering, insect and disease control all sound a bit overwhelming at first. But it's actually an easy process to learn. Like any living thing, there is a necessity for proper growth and development. Try keeping notes you feel are important about your hybrid and its care. These may even come in handy should you choose to try your luck with other flowering plants. Once you become more comfortable with the care of your plant, you'll be better able to appreciate it. For more information on caring for rose visit www.PruneMyRoses.com.

Some hybrid teas have romantic names, such as Bride's Dream, Bronze Star, Change of Heart, or Classic Beauty. If you like card games, perhaps your landscape would be more complete with the Ace of Hearts. Like many other things, there are hybrid teas named after famous people such as Barbara Streisand, Barbara Bush, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope. Whatever your choice, you won't be disappointed in one of the most popular and beloved of roses.

It would be next to impossible to count all the things ever written about the rose. Often when one pictures a love scene, if a rose is involved, it would be a long-stemmed hybrid with or without thorns. Although they are not known for their strong scent, a hybrid tea boasts it's appeal in its appearance alone. Commercially, it is a welcomed rose. Shown in many pictures and used in many images, the hybrid is greatly admired. It's image is used on gift wrap, tattoos, dinnerware, in wedding decorations, and especially on assorted items for Valentine's Day, to name a few.

About the Author
I'm a garden hobbyist, just like you... but I'm really good at finding answers on the internet. My friends & family have convinced me to begin sharing the information I've found that helps me keep my yard looking great all year-long. Check out my condensed eBook The Planting & Caring for Your Rose Garden now at www.PruneMyRoses.com.

The Five Best Hybrid Roses

2008-06-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

by K. Finch

Do you enjoy roses and their pure elegance? Do you like getting roses for a special occasion? Do you wish you could have a garden full of roses each year? Many people enjoy all of these things; however, some of us are not born with green thumbs, and some of us never seem to obtain that green thumb. If you are completely new with gardening or you seem to kill even the easiest to take care of indoor plants, don't fret. With the vast variety of roses, there are many hearty roses that do not require a lot of work. Whether you're a new gardener, you don't have time to take care of a rose garden, or you don't have a green thumb, a hybrid rose bush might be your best option.

1. One of the best roses around is the Betty Prior Rose. This bush blooms during growing season, and the blooms never seem to end! The roses that this plant produces are breathtaking. The buds start off pink and blossom into a beautiful white rose. These roses are perfect for a gift or to keep around the house! The bush is very compact and it usually never grows over 3 ft. The Betty Prior Rose is very hardy and it is a great choice for anyone who loves roses but does not always have the time or experience to take care of them.

2. Another great rose bush that does not require a lot of attention is the Knockout Rose. This bush produces lovely roses that come in all different shades of pink, from magenta to a light pastel pink. This hybrid rose bush is one of the most enjoyable. It is very disease resistant, so you never have to worry about purchasing fungicides or spending time checking the leaves of the bush every week. It is also known to minimally attract insects. The Knockout Rose bush is very hardy and can even last in cold weather. The bush needs only a few hours of sun to live, so you can plant it anywhere!

3. The Nearly Wild rose bush is the perfect bush that is tough yet beautiful. The bush is known for its wildness because it grows and grows. When it grows, the Nearly Wild produces a thick bushy shrub. It does not grow very tall, ranging from 2ft. to 3ft. and it spreads and spreads. The flowers also add to this bush's greatness. The blooms are a beautiful pink that no one would want to pass up.

4. The Rugosa Magnifica hybrid rose bush is also one that requires minimal work. This rose has been around since 1905. The bush is able to live in all sorts of weather conditions, whether it is warm, cold, or a drought; the Rugosa Magnifica bush will still produce blossoms of color! This bush can be planted anywhere in the world, no matter where you live. From beachside to countryside, this hybrid rose bush is sure to provide you with the flowers you want. The roses are usually a crimson red, perfect to give to your significant other or an important friend. This bush can grow to be slightly taller than others, usually ranging from 5 ft. to 6 ft. The Rugosa Magnifica is a preferred bush because it is insect resistant and flowers more than once. The flowers keep on coming!

5. The Belle Poitevine Rugosa, which is related to the Rugosa Magnifica, is another hardy bush for any rose lover. This bush is so hardy that it can tolerate poor soil. If you have soil that is rocky or mixed with clay, this bush is perfect for you. The Belle Poitevine Rugosa can also live in the shade. The flowers are a lovely magenta color that is accented by dark green leaves. The blossoms are large and usually come more than once in the blooming season. The best part of this rose bush is that it provides a very strong scent. If you enjoy smelling the roses, this is the bush for you.

About the Author
Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

Rose Bushes - The Basics Of Planting Your Own Rose Bush

2008-05-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

by K. Finch

For many years, lovers have given roses and poets have written of their merits. Now, you may be considering showing how much you love roses by planting your own rose bushes. No doubt you've heard a lot about how to take care of roses - the diseases to watch out for and the ways to prune them. While it may sound pretty complicated, you'll find that planting your own rose bush is much easier than you think. If you take the following guidelines into consideration and use them, you'll be sure to do a great job and have a beautiful rose bush that will look wonderful.

Things to Do Before Planting Your Rose Bush

If you are waiting for spring to arrive so you can plant your rose bush, there are some things that you may want to do. You may want to start thinking about the types of bushes you want for your rose garden. There are hundreds of different rose bushes that you can choose from and it may be a bit difficult to make your choice. You may want to visit a nursery in your area to find out more about bushes. Also, look for friends and neighbors that have beautiful bushes and find out what types of bushes they are growing. Make sure that you know whether a certain bush is prone to disease or if it takes a lot of attention as well before making your choice.

Of course once you know what bush you want for your garden, then you'll need to come up with a great location for it as well. Make sure you come up with a good location before you even buy your rose bush. You need to be sure that your bush will get plenty of light each day and you should make sure that the soil drains well and that it is quite fertile.

When to Plant a Rose Bush

Usually if you are planting a rose bush that is bare root, you will want to plant it late in the winter. However, if you purchase a rose bush that has already been grown in a planter, you'll want to plant it during the spring. Just make sure that you don't plant roses during the summer months. While it is possible, it can be very hard on the new plant because of the hot weather.

Preparation for Planting Your Rose Bush

Now that you know what location you're going to plant the rose in, you need to get the bed ready. Make sure that you dig a hole that is going to be at least two times the size of the container holding your rose bush. Remember, the bush has a very large root system. If you make sure that your hole is large, it will be easier for the rose bush to put down it's roots.
When you dig out the soil, make sure to put it in a bucket or wheelbarrow. Then mix compost and topsoil with the soil and put part of the mixture into the hole. In some cases you may want to add phosphate fertilizer in the hole as well.

When you are dealing with a bare root rose bush, you'll want to soak it for awhile before you plant it. Once you have soaked the bush for at least a couple hours, you'll want to cut off the root tips with pruning shears, and then you'll be ready to plant the bush.

Planting the Bush

There are many bushes that will come along with planting instructions. Usually you'll want to put a mound at the bottom of the hole you have and then you put the bare root rose bush over this mound, making sure the roots are smoothly placed over it. If your roots curve up or they spread out in a flat manner, then you may not have to use the mound. Then you can start filling the hole back in; however, once you have it about 2/3 full with soil, make sure to water it. Once you have let the hole drain, then fill it again with water and then add the rest of the soil to the hole.

Caring for Your Rose Bush

Usually you'll need to give your new rose bush about an inch of water each week, but this can depend on the climate you are living in. Make sure that you recognize when your rose is in distress. If you notice that the leaves are drooping, you'll need to add some water. However, if the leaves are falling off and turning yellow, you may be giving them too much water.

About the Author
Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

Source: www.goarticles.com

How To Prune Rose Bushes Properly

2008-05-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

by K. Finch

Once winter ends and the spring moves in, dedicated gardeners dig out their gardening tools and get ready for the new season full of roses. Many of these gardeners grab their shears and put on gloves and set out to their garden to prune their rose bushes. Pruning rose bushes allows for the new buds to bloom in spring. Since rose bushes go dormant, depending on where you live, you may be able to prune your rose pushes before spring. For example, if you live in a warmer climate, you can prune your rose bushes in the fall.

As any gardener should do, take the time to get to know your plants. Gardeners who are planning to prune their rose bushes should figure out what kind of roses they have. Every rose bush is different from the next. The main purpose of pruning a rose bush is to remove and reduce parts of the bush overall. These parts can be pruned off because they are unnecessary. Getting rid of these unneeded pieces will allow more air to flow to the bush as well as more sun distribution. Both of these factors will keep the plant healthy which leads to more beautiful blooms of roses.

New to pruning? No problem. Follow these five straightforward and simple steps and before you know it your rose bush will be pruned to perfection. No matter what kind of rose bush you have, these techniques are sure to work for every single type.

1. Before you begin to prune your rose bush, make sure you have a sharp and effective pair of hand shears. To begin, cut away the dead wood and remove any canes that are broken or damaged. If you are not sure as to what good and bad wood is, know that live wood is usually a greenish color and dead wood is usually black or a dark brown color. Living wood will be white inside. The importance of getting rid of dead canes is that it prevents any sort of disease or manifestation to spread to other parts of the plant. Pieces of wood that are thin should also be gotten rid of to promote the growth of healthier canes.

2. The next step is to prune. Make sure that all of your pruning cuts are made just above the buds, usually around ¼ inch. Also make sure that all of your cuts are clean. For a clean cut, angle your shears at a 45 degree angle. Try to avoid incomplete cuts. These can attract disease and insects. A rose bud resembles a small ball that grows along the length of the stem. New shoots of roses will grow here, so it is important that you do not remove the buds. If you do, don't fret, you just might be a few roses short. When pruning, cut the buds that face inwards. Cutting these specific buds will encourage growth of roses that point outwards. An outward budding plant receives more sunlight and air. Cutting these buds also allows for a better shape.

3. During the pruning process, it is also important to get rid of suckers and rootstock and dead cane. These usually emerge from the ground. These are important to get rid of because they attract bugs and disease that could ruin your rose bush. Don't forget to pick up all of the debris around the plant. Instead, throw it away in the trash so that it does not attract bugs to your plant

4. If the cut you are making is important, you might want to seal it with white wood glue. A significant cut would be one that is wider than the diameter of a pencil. These cuts should be sealed to help the plant heal quicker. Sealing also makes the pruning process less traumatic for the rose bush and keeps the insects away.

5. Lastly, it is important to prune your rose bushes properly throughout the growing season as well as year round. Always check the rose buds for vigor. If you see a piece of the bush that is positioned in the wrong way, remove it once the plant has bloomed. It is also vital to deadhead the rose bush. This means removing dead blossoms. This allows for better growth in the next growing season. Happy pruning!

About the Author
Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Gardening: Caring for Roses Tips

2008-05-26T00:19:00.000-07:00

by Lucy Gartner

A lot of people would love to consider gardening caring for roses. These flowers are among the most beautiful in the world. The usual problem though is that growing roses may become difficult if you aren't familiar with the right methods to handle them. Here are some basic tips to follow when caring for roses.

Before Planting

First of all, you should know that there are many different kinds of roses. Not all of them will grow well in the area where you live. The first step should therefore be to find out which kinds are best for your area. You can quickly research on this online or you can also ask some of your neighbors who grow roses for recommendations. Once you've settled on a kind you want to grow, you also have to consider the availability of an ideal area for roses. The spot for your roses should be accessible to sunlight, should be spacious and should have clean, rich and dry soil.

Feeding

Roses are plants that can really figuratively munch. You should therefore have a ready store of food for your roses. Not every rose expert will agree on the right way to feed roses. Some suggest giving roses small but regular meals. There are stores that sell packed rose food but always pick a brand with lots of nutrients.

Don't get too excited though. Some roses will simply not do well if you fertilize them too much. The general rule is that new rose plants should only be minimally fertilized. Only full grown roses should be given standard cup fertilizer rations. Some fertilizers are especially formulated for weekly use. These kinds of fertilizers however are not necessary. You can always opt for rose fertilizers that need to be mixed with the soil only once or twice annually.

Water Supply

It's obvious that gardening caring for roses won't be complete without watering. There are different recommendations but the usual tip is to give one or two inches of water every seven days. Water should be allowed to seep deep into the soil. It is often suggested too that water should not keep the soil and leaves wet for 24 hours. Water retention can be a cause for rose illnesses.

Cutting Stems

Pruning is a basic rose grooming tip you shouldn't neglect. You can start pruning as soon as buds make an appearance. Before you cut healthy stems, remove all the dead ones first. You should then consider diagonally cutting some chosen stems. This will allow you to shape your rose plant according to your preference.

Chemical Spray

One way to stop roses from getting sick is to spray them. You don't need to go into a lot of trouble. All you have to do is to buy a pre-mixed spray solution. You then just need to follow the package instructions for frequency and amount of application. Spraying is your best defense against common rose ailments.

Some may imagine that gardening caring for roses is difficult. All you really need though is a lot of time, diligence and patience to offer your rose plant.

About the Author
Discover the secrets of being a greenthumb. Discover more about gardening from gardening tips - caring for roses and more to vegetable gardening brisbane style.

Source: www.goarticles.com

Rose Gardening Care - Infections And Treatments

2008-05-20T01:41:00.000-07:00

All your hard work put into cultivating your roses can be destroyed easily by fungus or rose diseases if you are not careful during the cold months. As roses become more frail in the cold, they will also be more susceptible to fungi when it becomes warm again.

Although they might not get infected in winter, they are weaker and can fall prey to diseases that abound due to the humidity of the warmer seasons. So, your roses could still be afflicted with fungus although you have done all you could.

You will probably find some common types of illnesses associated with your roses:

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungus. As its name suggests, a white powder is produced along the stems as well as on both sides of the leaves. If you neglect to see to the mildew, the rose will not mature fully as the leaves will drop off.

Rust

Rust on roses looks just like rust on metal will. It is seen on the underside of the leaves and it contaminates other plants.

Blackspot

Hybrid teas are completely resistant to blackspot, but other roses have been known to get it. If there are circular black spots on the leaves of the plant that are 1/16 to ½ inch in diameter, you might have the disease. Take action on the disease immediately before it has the chance to ruin the plant's foliage.

Rose Mosaic

Unlike most of the rose diseases that are fungi, the Rose Mosaic disease is a virus. The symptoms of this disease are similar to what you would expect from the name with discolored mosaic patterns of yellow and green.

The only way to stop this from spreading throughout your garden is to remove the plant entirely. You must also clear all clippings and leaves of the diseased plant to make sure it doesn't contaminate other plants. If the disease cannot be contained by yourself, seek professional aid and get commercial solutions that can help.

How can you avoid giving your plants these diseases? There are a few things you can do. Always water the soil around the rose and not the rose itself. Do take care not to let dead leaves pile up underneath, so clear the beds of roses often. Cut the diseased blooms right away and throw them in your trash can. Prune regularly. Close all cuts in the plant with Elmer's glue. Giving your rose nutrients often will make them stronger and less susceptible to diseases.

And you should know that you can opt to grow disease-resistant roses if possible to prevent the problems from arising. If you grown plants that are resistant to diseases and fungus, there is less threat of promoting threats to your plants.

About the Author
Moses Wright loves to work in his garden. He started this site to help fellow rose gardening enthusiast. You can find more free resources on rose gardening on his site: http://www.homelyfamily.com/roses.htm

Planting Caring of Roses

2008-05-14T00:37:00.000-07:00

By Sherry Russell - Powers

The first consideration of planting caring of roses is selecting the site for a rose garden. Air circulation and drainage are of utmost importance. Soil is not as important as it can be modified.

Roses do not do well where air cannot move over them freely. Too often a rose garden is surrounded by a tall evergreen hedge for decorative effect. This delegates the gardener to a constant battle with blackspot and mildew. When there is a choice, pick a location where the air moves freely, but not where the roses will not have to beat the force of the winter and summer harsh winds. Light filtered shade at noon is beneficial. All roses for planting caring of roses require five hours or more of direct sunshine a day. Whatever part of the property is selected, it needs to have good drainage. Garden roses cannot tolerate wet soil. Roses need loose friable soil, filled with humus.

All roses (except) a miniature ought to have a hole dug at least two feet deep and two feet square. In the middle of the hole, build up a cone about 12 inches high of the soil taken from the hole. If the soil is not good, add good purchased soil with compost and some fertilizer and work together thoroughly. The idea of the cone is to direct the roots of the plant upward. Set your unwrapped rose plant on top of this cone with the roots spread out. Now fill in using only good topsoil. When the roots are covered and the hole is about half full, step into it with both feet. Press the soil down so that it is in firm contact of the roots. Run water into the hole until full and let the water settles. Fill the hole the rest of the way with soil. Pile extra soil around the plant, and remove it a little at a time when the top shows signs of growth. The mounded soil protects the stems from sun and wind.

Use rose food. Most fertilizer programs provide too much plant food. More roses are killed from overfeeding than by starvation. There is no clear formula for feeding a rose. Each rose garden differs and the right amount will be determined by trial and error. Feed a little and watch. When growth seems to be slowing, see what effect another dose will produce. Discontinue adding rose food in early fall so that your rose is not killed should you have an early frost.

Planting caring of roses will always need good air circulation and drainage.

Sherry Russell - Powers http://rosetypesonline.com

Different Types of Roses

2008-05-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Pink knockout roses will require 6 hours of full sun to do well and flower a lot but they can take less you get less flowers. Just keep an eye on them the first year to see that they don't burn. The first year is always the trickiest because you want the young plants to make good cane growth. Then when they harden off for the winter, there will be no trouble with the sun the next summer. If you see them burning, it looks terrible, simple throw wet newspaper over them in the first 6 weeks after planting them and keep them well watered until the new feeder roots can take the water up themselves.

Again that takes about 6 weeks. I wouldn't fertilize them if they are going to be a very hot sun as this could burn them. Put some rose goodies in the hole to feed them such as compost, a bag of steer manure and 1/2 cup of bone meal for the roots to munch on. Next spring continue to fertilize and water so they don;'t dry out next the warm bricks.

The roses you mentioned are all good roses. I have Souvenir de la Malmaison, it seems to bloom a lot only in the spring. Old Blush is pretty but to me, not really good in form for cut roses. New Dawn, is very pretty and from what I've heard has good repeat bloom. I have First Prize climbing, but the problem with climbing hybrid teas they usually don't repeat much after the spring. There is a sport of New Dawn that is pinker called "Awakening".

Another beautiful climber you could consider is Devoniensis, pink in bud, white when fully open. I have Madame Alfred Carriere and it is a monster, very large and usually has at least some blooms all year round, but it is white. For pink climbers, I would pick Elie Beauvillain, a noisette/tea or Parade, hybridized by Gene Boerner - the master hybridizer. They are both repeat blooming. Both these roses get up to at least 15 ft.

You could purchase any of the roses I recommended on the Antique Rose Emporium website, or you can do a search or check on the Help me Find Roses website for other web sources of these roses. But if I were you, I would get Elie Beauvillain. Teas and Noisettes do very well in our area, and it is a cross of both.

I have three yellow rose bushes spread out throughout my garden. The past 4 years, along as I have had them, they have produced beautiful yellow roses. This year, one of the bushes is producing bright pink roses with no hint of yellow. Roses are like human beings and have blood lines. When a breeder is looking to bred a new rose they select the roses from other roses blood lines and then mix them. There are enough roses that go into making another. A new rose that would fill a legal size page. What has happened to your rose is that it has sported to one of the roses in it's background. Usually though it is only one flower that sports.

You can always go on the internet and look up any sites that you can find about roses. If not then you can just go to your local green house and ask them questions on your roses. But you should be happy that you got your roses to change color without having to go out and buy a different color roses. I know that that might sound bad but a lot of people that want to try and change there color of roses don't always get the color that they want.

So they end up having to spend more money on roses just to try and get the color that they want. But your roses do sound like they are very pretty and hope that you will enjoy your new roses.

About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.SendFlowersGift.info/. SendFlowersGift.info offers same day flower delivery within the US and Canada, as well as fast worldwide delivery to international destinations. Start here to search by "Occasion": http://www.SendFlowersGift.info/catego

History of the Yellow Kronos Rose

2008-05-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Kronos is an Australian rose variety known for its warm, pale yellow petals and subtle perfume.
The Kronos rose is among the one hundred and twenty flower species developed by the Australian Man of Roses Alister Clark. While most rose breeders in the mid-1800's focused on the finding the rose with perfect color, scent, or form, Alister Clarke was more interested in making use of the continent's temperate climate for cultivating flowers.

A rose from the Himalayas and Burma called R. Gigantea was the father rose of his breeding program. Due to its sensitivity to cold weather it was not very popular among European rose breeders, although it flourished well in Mediterranean countries. In Australia, Clark discovered that the R. gigantea could climb up to twelve meters through trees.

From the R. gigantea, Clark was able to successfully breed garden-variety roses, among which are the Nancy Hayward and the Lorraine Lee. After Alister Clark's death in 1949 however, many of his rose species were lost since he was unable to pass on his secrets to an apprentice breeder. Fortunately, two rose breeders were able to recover about 47 of Alister's roses from the families of the women who were named after the flowers, and the Kronos rose was one of them.
The popularity of Kronos roses is not just limited within the borders of Australia. Rose enthusiasts across the globe love these blooms for the sweet memories their sunny yellow color evokes. The Kronos rose variety has spread throughout the world grown by popular rose suppliers and distributed by major flower traders and florist. Kronos is a favorite among European flower farmers in England, France and Holland. South American farms in Equador and Columbia export this flower to various American states. In Asia, flower farms in the Philippines, Vietnam, and India supply this popular flower variety.

Unlike other rose colors that convey passion and romantic love, yellow roses send messages of devotion, appreciation, gratitude, and platonic love. Kronos roses are a beautiful way to express thanks, congratulations, to brighten up a bad day, or to simply bring a smile to someone's face. Yellow roses also represent renewal and convey the desire to start all over again to achieve a better tomorrow, making them ideal to give as an apology or peace offering.

You don't even need an occasion to buy a bouquet of Kronos roses for yourself, as they make gorgeous centerpieces for your bedroom or living room. Send a friend a bouquet of Kronos roses today and let him or her know that you care.

About the Author
Timothy Spencer is a creative writer and editor for Island Rose, a leading flower delivery service in the Philippines. For more interesting article like this, we welcome you to visit the Island Rose Flowers Philippines or Flower Delivery Philippines blog pages.

Growing Roses In Dry Climates - Preconditions For Success

2008-05-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

There are a number of decisions of a design nature that determine whether or not your roses will look good. There are also special seasonal tasks, such as pruning, that are essential for success. But sandwiched between the two, are the basic cultural requirements that have to be met in order to get the most from the rose bushes. These requirements could be termed the preconditions for success.

Choosing the right location.

Roses require exposure to at least six hours of direct sunlight in hot Mediterranean climates, mostly in the morning. In regions with less light intensity, they probably need more. Roses should not be planted under trees, not only because of the shade, but also because they compete poorly with the trees' roots. For the same reason, they should not be planted too close to shrubs either.

While roses can thrive in hot, dry climates, they suffer in warm, humid ones. Gardeners can unintentionally create excessive humidity, by planting the bushes where there is insufficient movement of air, or by placing the plants too close to each other. Whatever the cause, humid conditions are ideal breeding grounds for fungi that plague roses, such as powdery mildew. It is important therefore to know the width of the plants' growth, and to fix the distance between the roses, accordingly. Do not be tempted to over-plant.

Soil conditions

To grow well and flower profusely, roses need highly porous soil. If the earth is clumpy and hard, it must be broken up and improved with massive quantities of compost. In either very heavy, clay soil, or alternatively, extremely light, sandy soil, some 60 liters per square meter, is by no means excessive. In medium, loamy soils on the other hand, about 20 liters should suffice.
While many wild species of rose are of Mediterranean origin and even harsher Central Asian climates, the cultivated varieties that make up the bulk of garden specimens are not especially drought resistant. In areas without summer rain, it is essential to supply them with regular water. Unquestionably, drip irrigation is preferable to overhead sprinklers, because not only do the latter waste more water, but they add 100% humidity into the bargain! Never forget that an improper watering regime is liable to deplete the soil of oxygen; a condition to which roses are particularly sensitive.

Mulching the soil

Covering the soil with an organic mulch helps to reduce water loss, retard weeds, and perhaps most crucially in hot climates, moderate the temperature at the topsoil level. In my view, mulching with an aesthetically pleasing material like wood chippings is preferable, design wise, to under planting the rose bushes with flowers. While in cultural terms, infinitely improved growing conditions are attained, without the roses having to contend with any competition from rival plants.

About the Author
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi. I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

A Nursery Full Of Roses

2008-05-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

by Hillary Templeton

Times have changed but roses have remained as one of the most favored among all known flowers across generations. Roses also get a position of pride in flower nurseries, simply due to the fact that they come in a wide range of colors and variety and make any nursery come alive with their presence. With the right kind of knowledge and application of techniques, you will be able to cultivate the best variety of healthy and colorful roses with ease.

Way To Grow Roses

You can either have potted roses or pick up bare root roses which can be re-planted in your garden easily. Potted rose plants are also more expensive because of the amount of effort that goes into developing a healthy potted plant. Gardeners Alan Titchmarsh and Christopher Freville recommend that root rose plants are easier to take care of as they settle in faster than the potted variety. When to Plant

The preferable time for planting roses is believed to be from early spring to early fall .Bare root roses are usually planted before the new shoots begin to grow. Ideally they should be planted as soon as they are bought. However, if there is a time lapse in between, the suggested way of keeping them is in a cool, moist and dark place. Let Them Catch The Sun

A nursery of roses should ideally be located where the plants are able to get enough sun for most part of the day. If the weather in the place tends to lean towards higher temperatures then some shade would be preferred so that the plants are not over exposed to the heat. Shady areas in woodland around Solihull may not contain enough sunlight.

Enough Air To Breathe In

Not many living things thrive in damp, dark places with no fresh air and roses are no exception. In fact if they are not exposed to enough air, they stand a chance of being attacked by fungus which is a natural inhabitant of places which do not enjoy free air circulation.

Place Them Right

Spacing also depends on the variety of the plant and its growth habits. Although traditionally the spacing is supposed to be 24 inches between neighboring plants it is also important to keep your roses as far away as possible from plants which as susceptible to fungal attacks. Adequate spacing that allows free air circulation helps plants to grow better

Fitting them In

Soaking the roots in a bucket of water an hour before is recommended. The hole which has to be prepared before the rose is planted should be at least fifteen inches deep and eighteen inches wide with a generous helping of organic matter and fertilizer added in. A small mound is made in the center of the hold, the roots are spread over it and the hole is filled up.

Once the plant is fixed right, adequate watering is required along with pruning, weeding and regular conditioning of the soil. This will help your roses to grow strong, healthy and beautiful.

About the Author
Hillary Templeton gives advice to women of all types of ovarian cysts on her website. Click here for more information on ruptured ovarian cysts http://www.ovariancystshelp.com

How to get attached to hybrid tea roses

2008-04-23T22:29:00.000-07:00

by kumar santosh

Hybrid tea roses and the original tea rose are the world's favourite roses and are available in many gorgeous colors.

Hybrid tea roses are among the most beautiful flowers in the world. They are the florist's rose.
The blossoms are fantastic and each flower can have as many as 60 or more petals. You can not find a more beautiful cut flower.

The fragrance also makes the hybrid tea rose an excellent choice to give as a bouquet or to grow in your garden.

Hybrid tea roses are different from other roses because they produce their flowers usually one bloom to a long stem rather than in clusters. Most hybrid tea roses produce flowers during the entire growing season and the plants grow 3 to 6 feet tall.

Caring for hybrid tea roses is no more difficult than other roses although you do need to give them special care in colder climates. They are no more or no less pest or disease resistant than other kinds of roses.

'La France' was the first hybrid tea rose grown in 1867 by a French nurseryman, Jean-Baptiste Guillot. He cross-bred two old garden roses and developed an entirely new kind of rose.
Hybrid tea roses should be planted 18 to 36 inches apart or they can be planted with other flowers in large pots.

There are hundreds of choices when looking for hybrid tea roses. Choices can be made by color, names or fragrance. There are hybrid tea roses named after famous people including presidents and their wives.

The very first tea rose was a cross between a China rose and Rosa gigantea. These plants are more bushy than the hybrid tea rose but the well-shaped flower buds remind us of today's modern hybrid tea roses. Tea roses come in shades of white, pink and yellow. Start thinking about adding a tea rose or hybrid tea rose to your garden this year.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to gardening and gardening implements, do please browse for more information at our websites.

About the Author
Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to gardening and gardening implements, do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com www.gardening .infozabout.com

Common Rose Diseases & Treatments

2008-04-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

by Eudora DeWynter

There are three common ailments that roses are susceptible to, Rose rust, Powdery or Downey Mildew and Black Spot all of which are known as fungal infections. They are easily treated with fungicides when they are applied at the first signs of the disease or before the onset of hot, humid weather is evident. Prevention is one of the most important parts of growing and caring of roses, although prevention is not always possible. There are however a few easy precautionary tips for preventing roses diseases.

First begin by promoting strong healthy plants by providing plenty of water and fertilizers, along with good air circulation, then keeping them pruned, water at the roots whenever possible trying not to get the leaves wet ( this sometimes promotes diseases ) then cut or pick off old weak leaves and stems.

Most of all watch for signs of insects or diseases on your other garden plants, they are often times the breeding ground for insects and diseases and insects are the carriers of many diseases. Once they are spotted in your garden start treatment right away.

A good fungicide is usually an effective treatment for a rose fungus when it is caught early, otherwise a fungus can be hard to control and even harder to eliminate altogether. A fungus like any other disease tends to weaken your plants as they are fighting the disease and trying to survive at the same time making it harder to rebuild their leaves and stems and making new flowers is even harder.

If your plant is infected, remove any and all affected dead leaves and stems, this way the plant has a smaller area to fight the disease and can rebuild new growth quicker. Always try and plant roses in a sunny area whenever possible, you see they love plenty of sunshine and water.
Recommended fungicides will have sulfur to control the fungus and natural pyre thins for mites and it is absorbed through the plants tissues. There are many hybrid roses available on the market with a good resistance to Black Spot and Powdery Mildew, check with your local garden centers or nurseries.

For more information and product listings on fungicides visit: Yardiac.com or Gardeners Supply.com

About the Author
Eudora DeWynteroffers tips on Common Roses Diseases & Treatment on her blog at http:www.gardentoolguru.com

Source: goarticles.com

Hot Tips for Rose Bush Care in the Hot Summer Months

2008-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

By David Elefant

One of the dangers roses face during the summer months of July and August is extreme periods of high temperature. During this period, there is a high possibility that your roses will suffer form heat damage. High humidity associated with heat will also bring various fungal diseases and insects that will attack your roses.

Here are some things that we can implement to insure that our roses remain gorgeous and strong until the cooler seasons arrive.

Take care, that your roses are properly watered. Always water your rose bushes at the roots. Don’t pour water over the top of your rose plants to prevent fungus from occurring. Watering from the roots will insure that your roses will be fully hydrated.

On days that the temperature is at 90F or more you should always water your rose bed. Pot grown roses might require watering once early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. Apply a fungicide weekly to prevent diseases brought on by humidity, cut away canes and foliage as soon as you notice ant infections.

Put fertilizer in small amounts three times a week. Avoid putting too much as you may burn your plants.

The application of organics should be done weekly until the last week of August.

Spider mite season is July and August. Spider mites flourish in heat and humidity. Spray the leaves and buds of your roses with water to move those pests off your plants.

For your canes to grow properly you need to maintain your rose bushes. Do not fall behind on these tasks.

Begin cutting back your roses in the second half of August and they will give you magnificent blooms in the autumn.

Remove any branches and stems that are moving towards the center of the plant. This will allow more room for air to circulate removing humidity from your bush preventing spider mites from breeding and fungus forming.

If you are participating in one of the fall rose exhibits, you will have to cautiously plan the time that you will prune your canes to provide the necessary time for recycling to happen.

To find more tips on summer rose gardening visit http://www.rose.myzury.com, a site that focuses in giving rose gardening advice, tips and resources that you can use to grow a beautiful rose garden.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Hybrid Tea Rose - About Roses

2008-04-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

By Cheryl Hanlon

As for the hybrid tea rose, you'll find that it is the most commonly used flower to put into an English garden or even a used as a border. As for the tea rose, you'll want to keep in mind that there is some elegance to the rose and you don't need to deal with this huge bush in your yard. You are able to take care of the hybrid rose a lot easier than most of the other roses that you may have planted. You will find that they are still roses and still need some TLC, but you'll be able to keep them under control easily. It is very important that you learn how to take good care of your flowers and gardens. You'll want to learn how to take good care of your tea roses, because they can enhance the appearance of your garden and you'll be able to improve your self esteem. Gardening has its way of making others feel good, because it is an achievement.

The tea rose is very small when you compare it to the typical rose bush. It's really nice when it comes to the size of the tea rose brush because you are able to use them for so many things. You can use them in a typical garden or you can use them as a border. When you use the tea rose bush as a garden accent you'll be able to work in some color and class, but you'll also be able to have fun with the design. You can use wildflowers with the hybrid roses and you can use many other flowers that you typically wouldn't put with a rose garden, because they are not overpowering at all.

The tea rose will typically come in colors like white, red, yellow, green, and red. Sometimes you'll see them in shades of blues and purples. Keep in mind that there are many numerous hybrids that you'll want to consider when planting a garden. You still can easily make a good rose garden with these hybrid roses, however, you'll have a lot more space then you would with a typical rose plant. You'll find that these flowers are very bright in colors, but they also have a very strong scent. If you are to put a hybrid tea rose garden together, you may want to think about adding some seating so that you can sit and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Tea roses are sold locally and online or through catalogs. You'll be able to create a wonderful design with these roses. Learn about growing Tea Roses and how you can enjoy more by reading gardening articles online everywhere.

Cheryl Hanlon garden author. Find more about gardening articles by Cheryl at http://www.backyardliving.com

Source: ezinearticles.com

Gardening: Rose Gardening

2008-03-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

by Nicholas Tan

Roses have gotten a bad wrap over the years for being difficult to grow and maintain. If you are thinking of rose gardening donâ€™t let this rumor stop you. While rose gardening can prove to be challenging, once you get the hang of it, it really isnâ€™t that bad.

When you first start rose gardening, you will have to choose what type of rose you wish to plant, and no, Iâ€™m not talking about 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 bad 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.

Planting in rose gardening is not that much different than any other type of plant. The most important thing, as always, is good, healthy soil and a prime planting area. It doesnâ€™t matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, 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.

Roses need the same things as other plants; they are just a bit needier. 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 fall. Make sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should come with instructions) and water after each feeding. Roses require large amounts of water; a thorough watering twice a week should be enough.

Pruning is an essential part to flower gardening. 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.

The main thing to remember in 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.

About the Author
Submit your articles and get a PR4 backlink to your website! Submit Articles! We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles!

Source: goarticles.com

The tea rose

2008-03-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

by Cheryl Hanlon

The tea rose is a very small type of rose and it doesn't get a lot of hype. This is not a plant that is going to take a lot of your time when it comes to pruning, but it still is a rose bush. You'll still need to take care of it like a rose bush. You'll need to watch how you plant it, and you'll need to do weeding, but that is any plant. You'll also want to prune it every now and then just so that it will grow and continue to bloom. You'll find that the tea rose is not a strong rose bush at all.

The wind may hurt it a little. You don't want to sacrifice your investment, so you may need to stake the plant every now and then or give it shelter. You'll want to keep in mind that these hybrid roses are less expensive then most rose bushes, however, you'll need to plant them very carefully in order to keep them going. They will need some TLC the first year that you have planted them; however, you'll need to also consider that they are hardy plants. Every year they are growing stronger and stronger.

These flowers are typically white, pink, red, yellow, and green. They are on the lighter side, but there are a lot of plants that you'll be able to grow that are also on the lighter side. You'll be able to continue to stick with your color scheme. You'll also want to consider that the tea rose will change the look of your garden as well. You'll find that the hybrid rose bush will add some grace and elegance to the garden, just because they have the class of normal roses.

For those who are thinking about landscaping and have children, you'll want to consider having the hybrid roses. They are thorn-less, but also you'll find that they are just as easy to fence in. You'll also want to consider the hybrid roses if you have a small backyard or space. You'll find that with the smaller bushes you'll be able to keep the yard looking alive and welcoming, but it also won't over power the yard either.

Some of the drawbacks to this type of rose is the fact that it is a rose. Often, there are people who will plant these flowers because they feel that it would easier for them to have, however, a garden means work. You'll need to work at it in order to keep it looking nice. You'll find that there are many other plants that need just as much as attention, but they do not deliver the beauty and the grace of hybrid roses.

About the Author
Cheryl is a freelance garden and greenhouse writer. Find more articles about gardening from Cheryl at http://www.greenhouses.com and at http://www.backyardliving.com. Happy Gardening!

Source: goarticles.com

Rose Gardening -Tips on How to Grow Roses in Your Garden

2008-03-13T00:56:00.000-07:00

by tracy ballisager

The ancient Muslim poet, jurist, and theologian, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, may not have stumbled madly upon the very first rose back in 13th century Persia but he certainly immortalized it poignantly in his writing.

Roses are believed to have originated in ancient Persia but their cultivation quickly spread across the Northern Hemisphere, first from China to Europe and finally to North America. Rose enthusiasts throughout time and geography have helped to spread the cultivation and the adoration of this arrestingly lovely flowers to the point that, today, there are more than 20,000 varieties available.

Roses run the gamut of the color spectrum. They come in every color, including the elusive blue and black ones that have dogged rose breeders for ages. Every shade of every color is represented, too, with many rose blossoms sporting multiple colors or shades.

These enchanting plants have been bred to grow straight and tall or trail over slopes and fences. Some roses grow close to the ground while others become bushy. Many rosebushes bloom once in the spring or summer, others bloom again in the fall, and others still bloom from early spring until winter.

Diversity aside, a few rose gardening tips might improve your rose-growing success.
Planting is the first step to consider when compiling a list of rose gardening tips. Folklore tells us to plant flowering plants when the moon is in a waxing phase. Indeed all plants that produce their most desirable growth above ground are said to be best planted during the time the moon is growing into its biggest, most visible, phase.

(In turn, plant carrots, potatoes, and other plants where underground action is most desirable when the moon is waning, or becoming less visible.)

Trim your hair, visit your barber, or comb your dog the day before planting your roses. This, another of folklore rose gardening tips, ensures you have a bit of hair to mix in with the soil in which you plant your roses. Decomposing hair is said to provide excellent fertilizer for thriving roses.

Sunshine is one of the most important rose gardening tips. Make sure to plant your roses, always during their dormant phase, in a spot where they can get at lease six hours of full sun every day.
Rose gardening tips include trees, too. Keep your roses away from tree roots, especially deciduous trees, or they will divert the nutrients of the soil from your hungry roses

About the Author
Tacy Ballisager is stays at home mum, who loves gardening .To read more about gardening tips and idea go to http://www.gardening-tips-idea.com

Caring For Climbing Rose Bushes Couldn't Be Easier

2008-03-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

by Sylvia Barnes

Caring for climbing rose plants is incredibly easy. Although growing traditional roses does take skill and special care, climbing roses are a bit easier for the beginning gardener to handle which makes them a great place to start.

One of the joys of including roses in your garden is undoubtedly the fragrance they provide as well as the beautiful flowers. Who wouldn't love going outside and basking in the beauty and fragrance of a luscious rose-filled garden?

Besides adding beauty, the climbing variety in particular can also solve some of your home improvement projects. For example, does your view at home include the plain, ugly wall of a building - maybe a garage or utility shed? Or maybe you have a fence that, while still functional, has seen better days.

Due to the fact that rose vines grow up rather than out, they are the perfect solution to many of these landscaping eye-sores. Although there are many types of plants that can grow with climbing vines, roses are perhaps the most beautiful flower to be had. Why not go for the best and solve your problem with style?

Climbing roses are not difficult to grow. In fact, they can be downright simple - just make sure they will have plentiful sunshine, nutrient-dense soil and of course, a place to climb such as a trellis or fence. The best part of all for gardeners who are impatient is that these vines will grow quickly.

In order for your vine-filled trellis or fence to look its best, take care to perform the occasional pruning. Shaping your rose vines is not difficult, but you'll need to make sure they are properly trained to grow to the structure you've attached them to. You'll experience the most enjoyment from your flowers when you take these simple steps to ensure proper growth.

It should be noted that climbing roses are not the same as the variety you cut and use in bouquets. They are meant to be enjoyed in their natural, on-the-vine state. Keep that in mind when choosing the best location for your plants - you want to get as much enjoyment from them as possible.

One of the best things about roses is the variety available to choose from. The colors, sizes and types are nearly unlimited.

A favorite for those who hate rose thorns is the Zephirine Drouhin rose. Although not completely thorn-free, this purplish flower has almost thornless stems. With a sweet fragrance and beautiful bloom, this rose is sure to make an impression.

If you want to have a colorful and fragrant garden, consider adding one or more climbing rose bushes to the layout. And the beauty of it is, because these plants are so easy to manage, your friends and neighbors will think you have the greenest thumb on the block.

About the Author
Visit GreenThumbCorner.com at http://www.GreenThumbCorner.com for more information about climbing roses and other lawn and garden needs.

Climbing Roses - A Special Way To Grow A Special Plant

2008-02-18T20:14:00.001-08:00

By Jonathan Ya'akobi

Growing a climbing rose bush can be one of the most satisfying features in a garden. Usually, the rose's long stems are trained to grow vertically up a pole where they cover the ceiling of some structure such as a trellis or pergola. You may have noticed that the flowers appear only at the plant's tips, while the shrub as a whole is green with foliage, but bare of flowers. There is a way however of inducing the mass of the plant to be smothered in blooms, thereby creating a far more spectacular effect.

The trick is to train the branches to grow horizontally, spacing them some 20-30cm from each other to create a kind of a fan shape. When stems grow horizontally or parallel to the ground, the dominance that the leading bud exerts on those below is neutralized, while the buds situated along the branches are activated and start to sprout short stems, upon which develop leaves and then flowers. This procedure is known as the espalier method, and is an excellent way of covering a wall, fence, or even a garden shed.

Climbing roses, while not necessarily being suitable for every situation, should definitely be considered in many circumstances. The large Bordeaux red flowers of the variety "don Juan" for instance, can look breathtaking against a white stone wall, as can the dark crimson of "Chrysler Imperial," (climbing type) while a gentler effect is achieved by bushes that sport pink, or pale yellow blooms, such as the climbing varieties of "Peace", "Queen Elizabeth", or "Gloire de Dijon".

The drawback of choosing a climbing rose as the solution to a particular design issue is of course the work involved in caring for it. Clearly it is much easier and cheaper to plant some self-clinging vine such as Ivy to do its worst, and of its own accord, ramble wild and smother what ever needs to be covered. The trouble with the latter option is that however tempting it may seem in terms of saving labor and maintenance, expensive damage is liable to be caused to the wall of a building in the long run. A far better alternative, let alone an infinitely more beautiful one, is to take the trouble and grow a climbing rose.

To achieve the best results it is advisable to build some support structure, which not only allows for the branches to be trained and tied onto it, but is also strong enough to take the weight of the rose bush when it reaches maturity after a few years. On a stone wall for example, metal pegs can be drilled at suitable intervals, so that wires can be stretched at the afore-mentioned distance of 20-30 cm. This admittedly involves some initial expense both in materials and labor, but the investment should be extremely worthwhile.

Growing a climbing rose as an espalier, not only requires tying and training, but pruning as well. In the winter, the short stems known as spurs, which sprout from the main branches can be pruned back to the first two or three buds, (but not less than two) while branches that cannot be easily trained can be removed. Spent flowers can always be dead-headed through the year, as needs be. It should be remembered that many climbing varieties are in fact "mutants" of regular rose shrubs, and that pruning the main stems can cause them to revert to their non-climbing habit. It follows therefore that the main branches should not be shortened, although old stems can be removed entirely to make way for juvenile growth.

My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.
I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.
I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.
I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.
I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com

Organic Rose Gardening - What Is It

2008-02-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

By Matt Hick

The term organic seems to be everywhere these days, from the vegetables in the produce aisle to the cereal we eat in the morning. There are many definitions and ideas about what truly makes something organic, but in rose gardening and gardening in general it's pretty simple. Organic gardening is rooted in the concept of feeding the soil and strengthening your plants naturally so that the plants will flourish without the need for chemical fertilizer or pesticides. On a more philosophical level, organic gardeners try to learn about and work with nature rather than control it with heavy-duty chemical fertilizers.

There are several ways to incorporate organic ideas into your rose garden, starting even before you put a plant in the ground. Most experts agree that careful conditioning of soil is vital to the eventual success and health of your rose garden. You should begin by digging up the existing soil, to a depth of about one foot, reserving that soil for later. Add compost, peat moss or manure to this layer and then dig again, this time mixing the soil with the additive. Adding this organic material will get your roses off to a good start.

Now, you can add some bone meal into the top layer of dirt, replace the first foot of soil and begin your planting.

Mulch will be a great friend to your rose plants and help your keep all the natural nutrients in the soil. In the summer it will keep weeds away and help to keep the moisture level of your plants consistent. For this benefit, add mulch to your regular care shortly before the first bloom appears. In winter, careful mulching will protect your roses from a dangerous cycle of freezing and thawing, causing the plant to shift underground, damaging the root system. By reinforcing the plant with several inches of soil and covering that soil with mulch, you will protect the plant's root system from the harsh conditions of winter and you will see a healthy plant emerge in the spring.

Keeping your soil adequately moist and feeding it regularly with compost or other organic matter, such as peat moss will ensure healthy plants, but what about garden bugs and other pests? With organic gardening, there is an acceptance that bugs are just part of nature, and thus, part of any garden. Your local garden store will have organic solutions to pest problems available if you really can't stand a certain pest that has found your roses irresistible.

Another popular concept of organic gardening is companion planting. These plants, in addition to adding beauty and variety to your garden, serve the purpose of keeping pests away from your roses. Garlic and onions make wonderful companion plants to your rose bushes and add to the diversity of your garden.

Finally, selecting rose varieties that are indigenous to your area will reduce the need for artificial fertilizers, and produce the best results in your garden. You can find just about any color or size rose plant in a variety well suited to your climate and soil. These plants will be well suited to your landscape and should need only basic care to thrive.

Organic gardening, and organic rose gardening in particular can be very rewarding and surprisingly simple to achieve.

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Source: ezinearticles

Rose Gardening Advice - Protecting Your Roses From Pests

2008-02-09T04:16:00.000-08:00

By Matt Hick

You've put a lot of hard work into your rose garden: preparing the soil, selecting your roses and planting them. Now, you will want to keep those roses safe and protected from pests and diseases. While rose gardening may seem daunting, you can follow just a few simple steps to keep your plants healthy and blooming all season long.

Fungal diseases, thrive on wet plants. Keep your flower beds tidy by keeping fallen leaves and debris away from the plants roots to avoid problems. This will keep fungus issues at bay. Avoid watering the leaves, stems and flowers to keep mold and rust, away. Both can be dangerous to your roses.

When pruning roses, care should be taken to cut back the center of the bushes so that air can circulate, and prevent fungal disease from attacking your plants. Another enemy of your roses is rust which is not fungal in nature, but behaves in a similar way. All three of these conditions can be remedied with fungicidal soap and the pruning of infected stems. It is also important to keep pruning shears clean so as not to spread the fungus to other areas. Using simple craft glue to seal any cuts made during pruning can also help protect your plants from invasive insects.

Insects such as aphids, beetles and caterpillars may also target your roses. For insects, prevention may be found with early season spraying of dormant season oil just before the growth of spring begins. If pests still make their way into your rose garden, there are several options for ridding your plants of them. For beetles and caterpillars, you can take the old fashioned route of picking them off by hand and throwing them into soapy water. This should be done every morning during the infestation and really is one of the best ways to keep your roses safe from these hungry pests.

If pulling bugs off by hand isn't quite your cup of tea, insecticidal soaps are readily available from your local garden center. Used according to their packaging directions, these can be very effective in ridding your garden of unwanted visitors. Vigilance is important if you would like to avoid using strong and often dangerous pesticides. Remember, too that there are many beneficial insects that would also be killed if pesticides were employed in your rose garden.

a lesson from organic gardening, keep in mind that bugs are part of nature and will be part of your rose garden. Choosing plants that are well suited to your particular climate and area will help them thrive and resist most diseases and pests. You can also practice companion planting of garlic or onions near your rose bushes to dissuade invaders.

With some vigilance, your roses will be protected from harmful diseases and pests and will thrive and flower all summer long.

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Gardening Tips - Basic Garden Care To Ensure Healthy Roses

2008-02-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

By Matt Hick

Many of us think of a beautiful garden as an almost unattainable goal, and certainly, a rose garden seems even more intimidating. Rose gardening has earned a reputation as being very difficult, a task only the most ambitious gardener with plenty of time on her hands would undertake. In reality, however, rose gardening just takes a little planning, a bit of maintenance and some patience.

As with any garden, a rose garden should be cleaned regularly. Keeping fallen leaves and other garden debris away from the roots of the plants will enable you to water the plants directly at the roots as well as keep fungus and other problems at bay.

Mulch is a wonderful ally to rose gardens. It weeds away and helps to keep the moisture level of your plants consistent. For this benefit, add mulch to your regular care shortly before the first bloom appears. In winter, careful mulching will protect your roses from a dangerous cycle of freezing and thawing, causing the plant to shift underground, damaging the root system. By reinforcing the plant with several inches of soil and covering that soil with mulch, you will protect the plant's root system from the harsh conditions of winter and you will see a healthy plant emerge in the spring.

One of the most important tasks in any garden is watering. It is always important to maintain adequate moisture content for your plants, not too wet and certainly not too dry. Both extremes are detrimental to the health of your whole garden. When watering your rose plants, it is essential to water only around the base of the plant. Introducing water to the leaves and stems of the plants invites both rust and fungal diseases to your plants. The roses will enjoy a good root soaking when the weather conditions require it, saturating the soil to a depth of six to eight inches, rather than simply spraying the plants.

Careful feeding of your rose bushes will keep them looking their best throughout their flowering season and will keep the plants healthy during the dormant period. Your local garden center will have many choices for fertilizer for your roses, and you should carefully follow the instructions for the product you have chosen in measuring the fertilizer according to your type of rose. In general, you should feed your roses in early spring, as soon as you can see buds beginning to swell. Feed again after the plants have produced a full bloom. Another feeding should follow in late summer for most climates. If you have a long growing season, a fourth feeding in early October will hold your plants through the winter.

Following just a few simple guidelines will enable you to grow a beautiful rose garden that will add so much to your home landscape. Your effort will pay off with blooming, healthy plants that will be sure to impress your friends and neighbors.

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Rose Gardening Photography - 6 Tips To Shoot Your Beautiful Rose Garden Like A Pro

2008-01-14T20:30:00.000-08:00

By Abhishek Agarwal

If you are fond of photography as well as rose gardening, there are many exciting creative possibilities for you to explore. Both these hobbies make quite an interesting combination as your roses will often reveal their breathtaking side for you to capture in a timeless photograph. To make that moment count, we are sharing some important tips for you to use. Rose gardening will never remain the same as you will push to do better, just to get that prized look for your roses!

1. Don't Shoot under Sunlight - It is not a good idea to shoot your roses on a sunny day. What works out best is an overcast weather wherein you will have just the right levels of light to click that perfect photograph. If there are no clouds in sight, you can get around this limitation by clicking either early morning or in the evening. However, please be wary of shadows during these hours. Sunlight may be an essential factor for gardening, but for photography it may prove to be a deterrent as too much light fails to bring out the finer details.

2. Shoot Close ups - If you have an eye for detail, you'd better capture your roses with those beautiful close ups. Your gardening abilities, seasons and your photography skills can come together in an incredible way to produce those breath-taking close-ups. What better than seeing the nature in full bloom by cherishing a close-up picture of a rose sprinkled with dew drops.

3. Subject Placement - Although it may be a very tempting proposition, it may not be necessary to have the subject always in the centre. Your rose garden provides you with many avenues to explore it from varying angles and you must make full use of it.

4. Play with Light - Don't hesitate to let your imaginations take charge in this department. You can consider reflecting light back with an aluminum foil to create shadowed areas on your roses or block the light completely to show them up against the black background. Being innovative in such a way can create some very interesting effects in your photographs.

5. Don't shoot the roses alone - It's not the thing that lends significance to a moment, it's the moment that lends significance to things. Capture those moments as they happen when the roses and the people who love them come together. You may achieve some interesting contrasts while you take this approach.

6. Slow Speed film is the choice - Roses come in various colors and if you are shooting ones with deep colors you can achieve excellent color saturation by employing a slower speed film. Try it out and you'll be taken aback by the color difference.

Capturing your roses in a camera lens is a wonderful way to make those special moments of nature last. You must go against the tide and discover different techniques to create the most professional and interesting pictures. Your photography skills and gardening hobby can complement each other very well for you to achieve this objective.

Abhishek is a self-confessed Gardening addict! Visit his website http://www. Gardening-Master.com and download his FREE Gardening Report "Indoor Gardening Secrets" and learn some amazing Gardening tips for FREE! Create the perfect Garden on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available.

Tips on how to do landscaping with rose bushes

2007-12-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

by Andrew Caxton

Flower and plants can be the best options for landscaping a particular area, be it your home or corporate building, and undoubtedly rose bushes are by far the best choice. This article guides us on how to create a beautiful landscape with rose bushes and other plant and flowers.
Landscaping with roses
Basically, landscaping involves arrangement of plants, trees and flowers in a particular space, in a particular manner, to make its appearance synchronized and beautiful, the space may be someone's yard or the premises of a corporate building. Landscaping can be fun, especially if you like gardening, and using a lot of rose bushes in you project can make your project even more interesting and appreciable.
Planning is the first and the most important step in any type of landscaping project. The main purpose of planning in landscaping is to decide how to arrange the rose garden and the other plants and trees in order to enhance the beauty of the space. Basically it is similar to gardening, but is done in a systematic and creative manner. To begin with, sketching out the whole plan on paper can be a good idea. The sketch should include the complete and accurate details of the area to be landscaped, these details will definitely prove useful for chalking out a good plan.
Another factor that needs careful consideration while planning the landscape is the color combination. Having a little knowledge about colors can be of great help. It is important to make sure that the color of the roses complement it's surrounding and the structures present on the area to be landscaped. It's advisable to plant flowers of contrast colors, to get the combination right.
While planning the layout of your rose plants on your landscape with the other bushes, it is very important to give special consideration to the spacing between them. Plants require sufficient space and water to thrive and over crowding can ruin the beauty as well as the growth of the plants. Hence it is advisable to restrict the use of too many plants and pay more attention to spacing and color combination for excellent results.
About the Author
Andrew Caxton is a freelance writer for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . For additional information on gardening with roses or cutting grass subjects have a look at his web.

Tips For Designing Your Rose Garden

2007-11-23T05:01:00.000-08:00

By Sandy Burke

I think the use of landscape roses makes the exterior of any house more graceful, fragrant and inviting. If you select the right varieties to accent and compliment the home's style and your vision, landscape roses will contribute to the success of your landscape and rose garden design.

Finding the perfect roses for your rose garden is not that hard because of the many varieties of roses. The problem lies in choosing the right rose bushes for your landscape needs and the design you are trying to archive.

Roses come in a number of different classes. Each class holds characteristics that make them a great choice for use as landscape ornamentals. As an example, suppose you'd like to have roses growing up and over an archway or trellis or archway or cascading from window boxes. Then the tall growing tea roses are a perfect choice. Tea roses are famous for their wild growing blooms. Use the tea rose and every time you or your guests walk under the archway you'll enjoy a beautiful display of roses.

If a trellis isn't available and you're looking to accent a wall, then why not try a true climbing rose. The beauty of a true climbing rose allows you train the plant into many different looks and effects. I've always loved the way it can be trained to grow so many different ways.

I also love the Floribunda rose when I'm looking for a vibrant splash of background color. When I use the Floribunda rose varieties, I know my garden will be alive with color because of their large and breathtaking sprays of blooms.

I also use the versatile rose as a ground cover or planted in front of other plants to give color and accent. I've also used them as stand alone specimens and trained them into a small tree or as hedges. I think the Rugosa roses are a good choice for this. The goal or impact of the rose is not the varieties or ways it can be grown but the colors they offer in making your garden come alive with a palette of colors.

What I and most gardeners want are healthy rose plants that deliver impact in many sizes, styles, textures, colors and shapes. When considering your design for your rose garden try to choose complimentary colors for your surrounding landscape.

Consider that a simple arrangement of pink roses can deliver the perfect compliment to a stone or marble entranceway or drive. White tea roses can offer a striking contrast against a dark red brick home. Since roses come in so many different colors it is relatively easy to find colors to compliment and enhance any decorating or landscape design you can imagine. Designing your rose garden should be exciting and challenging to say the least. So incorporate your own color favorites and mix styles and textures for an interesting appeal.

Although roses can do well in a variety of temperature zones and climates, make sure you choose the varieties suitable to the area in which you live. This translates into fewer maintenance issues, less pesticides and disease issues promoting overall a healthier rose garden.

So what are you waiting for? Why not get started planning your rose garden today?

Sandy Burke is a mother and grandmother who enjoys gardening and helping others learn about and enjoy gardening.

For more information and tips on choosing the right roses for your garden, please visit her website at http://www.rose-gardening-advisor.com/ and remember to sign up for her free weekly newsletter on rose gardening.

You Can Grow Roses Easily

2007-11-15T00:42:00.000-08:00

By Thomas Straub

Quite a few people want to know if roses are difficult to grow. The answer is definitely not. Actually, roses are simple to grow and need only a little more care than any other perennial plant.

Here is a look at the planting, care and maintenance of roses.

Planting Roses

Preparing the soil for roses is vitally important since they use a lot of nutrients. An excellent idea would be to use 100% organic compost, not just for the nutrients provided in the compost, but also because the compost will drain well and still keep lots of moisture. Rose need plenty of water, as well as a well-drained planting bed.

Caring for Your Roses

Since Roses blossom during the entire growing season, they are big users of nutrients and will need regular fertilizing.

In the spring when the leaves begin to bud out, feed your roses, and again in late summer or early fall, depending on what area of the country you live in.

How to Deal With Diseases That Effect Roses

Roses are vulnerable to mildew, fungi and insect infestation. Most of these diseases can be prevented from happening. Even better, all of them can be controlled with regular applications of fungicides and insecticides.
Several kinds of beneficial insects can be placed into your garden to help you control insect infestations, without using chemicals.

Getting Your Roses Ready for Winter

In warm climates, not much needs to be done to prepare your roses for winter, beyond adding a good layer of mulch. In colder climates that have temperatures sink below 25 degrees F, you will want to protect your roses with additional mulch.

Building cages to surround your roses and then filling them with mulch after the initial freeze will make sure that your roses survive throughout the winter. Then, you can see your beautiful roses bloom again in the spring!
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Tom Straub is a successful author, and webmaster of the Best Gardening Tips web site, where you can read more on Flower Gardening and more than a dozen other gardening topics.

Climbing Roses-The Perfect Choice

2007-11-12T04:01:00.000-08:00

If a single rose is enough to suggest romance, consider the impact of climbers.Their first shoots instinctively flirt with a picket fence or post.Gaining maturity, they'll overtake a trellis with a billowing bouquet of buds.Plant a bare-root climbing rose; and it'll start romancing your landscape this summer--and increasing its charms for years to come.

Climbers are the most vigorous forms of many kinds of roses, from polyanthas to hybrid teas. Climbers won't clutch and twine without help; they need tying when canes are long enough to move into position.Though some rampant growers develop canes as long as 60 feet, others are compact and easily trained; choose one that's right for your situation.

STRUCTERS FOR CLIMBING ROSES:

Climbers bloom off old wood and may take a few years to establish; the same is true of Lady Banks.Choose a structure that's large and sturdy enough to support the plant at maturity.Use pressure-treated wood for posts, and set the posts in concrete.If you build or buy a structure like an archway or pergola, construction must be solid and the base long enough to set 2 feet into the ground.Some prebuilt units are not hefty enough for climbing roses.You can place a trellis in front of a masonry wall and train the rose on it, or secure plant attachments directly in the wall.

TRAINING THE CANES:

All climbers bloom best when canes are trained horizontally.This causes growth buds to emerge and grow upward, producing an abundance of flowering branches.Roses that do best on pillars have flexible canes to about 10 feet.These climbers need little space, yet give a dramatic display, especially if you twist the canes around the post. Although small, stiff-caned bushes like 'Altissimo' can be trained to a post, they bloom better when canes are fanned or horizontal. In mild climates, where canes grow rapidly, you may need to start training the first year the rose is in the ground.In colder regions, growth may stay in bounds without training until the second year.To attach canes to the support, use a stretchy, strong material like plastic nursery tape or strips of old nylon stockings; avoid wire or cord that can cut into branches.

PRUNING:

For the first two or three years, just remove faded flowers to promote repeat flowering.Once some wood has matured and strong climbing canes are established, prune to stimulate growth of new canes and flowering laterals.Each winter (at the same time you prune bush roses), shorten flowering laterals to 3 to 6 inches long, or to two to four buds.Remove weak or dead wood at the base,and keep as many productive shoots as possible.

Climbers' other needs are water, fertilizer, and pest and disease control are similar to those of bush roses.Climbing roses are an important type of rose, fulfilling the need for roses which take up less space and can act as a vine.Many people also prefer the look of climbing roses, as a wall of roses can be very visually appealing. Climbing roses are a different type of rose from rose bushes and shrubs, and thus climbing rose care is different from care of shrub roses.

As with any other rose, climbing roses need flower fertilizer, plenty of sunlight, and well drained soil with lots of organic material.Some types of climbing roses do not need as much sun as other types of roses, which could be easier to fit into a typical flower garden.The lighter color climbing roses generally tolerate shade better than the darker color climbers. For more information: http://www.acauzee.com/Roses/

About the Author
Climbing Roses are preferred by more people. For more information: http://www.acauzee.com/Roses/

Pruning Your Roses Correctly

2007-11-09T03:39:00.000-08:00

Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and the most annoyingly difficult tasks that goes with proper rose care.It takes a steady hand the proper procedure to ensure the best possible roses that you can get.if you really desire that beautiful rose garden then you should have the correct rose gardening tools. The following suggestions will help insure that your roses grow into healthy bushes, trees, etc.

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS:

Use bypass pruners,because they cut like a pair of scissors, rather than anvil-type pruners. Anvil pruners tend to crush the stems. Long-handled lopping shears and a pruning saw will handle any large, heavy, old stems.Remember to protect your hands with heavy canvas or leather gloves. The first step in pruning roses is the same for all rose types Remove all dead, damaged or weak stems leaving only the most vigorous,healthy canes. When pruning, check to make sure the stems show no sign of discoloration.If they appear diseased, you will need to cut farther down into healthy wood.Dip your pruning shears periodically in a 70 percent alcohol solution to avoid spreading diseases.Prune roses so the plant is more open in the center.

This will increase air circulation and help prevent disease. Roses send out new growth from the bud just below a pruning cut. Try to make pruning cuts above a leaf bud facing out from the center of the plant. Make pruning cuts one-quarter inch above the bud and angled at the same angle as the bud. Whenever two canes cross each other, one can be removed. All pruning cuts on canes greater than the thickness of a pencil should be sealed with nail polish or wood glue; to prevent cane borers from entering. It is important to prune roses according to their type.

One time blooming and repeat flowering roses are pruned at different times. Hybrid tea, shrub and climbing roses are all pruned differently. Weak-growing rose varieties and first-year plants should be pruned lightly.This allows the plants to put more energy into establishing a strong root system. Vigorous rose varieties are pruned more severely,for repeat blooming roses such as Hybrid Teas, Floribundas and Grandifloras, heavy annual pruning that is done in the spring, just as the leaf buds begin to swell.

Prune hard if you want large blooms suitable for cut flowers This hard pruning will produce fewer total blooms.Lighter pruning will produce more, but smaller flowers to enjoy in the garden Cut out all but three to five of the healthiest, most vigorous canes Prune these canes 15 to 18 inches from ground level. Remove any weak, small or short stems.

Generally with Hybrid Teas, any cane thinner than a pencil should be removed.Wait until after blooming is finished before pruning old-fashioned roses and climbers that bloom only once a year, such as the popular 'Lady Banks' Rose. These early one time bloomers should be pruned immediately after flowering. Cut away all weak or damaged stems and remove the oldest canes,leaving five to seven strong canes untouched.

Remember that flowers are produced on stems at least one year old on most running or climbing roses.The stems that you leave will bear next year's flowers.Climbers that bloom on the current season's growth can be pruned more severely. When pruning large and tangled climbing roses, be careful not to damage healthy stems while removing the stems to be discarded. It is easier to remove most stems in sections. Most old garden and shrub roses require little pruning, especially if you want to maintain a natural form. Hard pruning can ruin their graceful shape and severely reduce their flowering.

Consider light pruning to open up the center of the plant for better air circulation, or to remove very old unproductive stems is usually all that is needed.Most old garden and shrub roses bloom once in a season. Everblooming miniature rose varieties can be lightly trimmed or tip-pruned several times a year. For More Information In Rose Gardening Go Now To: http://www.acauzee.com/Roses/

About the Author
For More Information In Rose Gardening And Tips Go Now To: http://www.acauzee.com/Roses/ You Will Also Get Information On: Rose Meanings,Drying Roses,Rose Garden Ideas,Rose Garden Tips,Rose Garden Challenges,Pleasurable Rose Gardening,Meaning Of Valentines Roses and much more...

How to Select the Best Roses for Your Garden

2007-11-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

By David Elefant

There's a huge choice of roses that you can cultivate in your home garden. Having such a big selection to pick out from, your choice may seem more like a complex chore than the enjoyment that it should be. We are sure you would like to make this procedure easier; to do, so you should take into consideration the following important tips that you should bear in mind before choosing your roses.

Size

The size of the roses you choose is a very significant factor. Imagine the height of your roses when full-grown. If the roses reach sixteen feet in height, will they still look beautiful in your garden? Keep in mind, the size of roses vary. Whereas some roses may develop up to nine feet, others may grow up to nineteen feet in height or more.

Determine the size of your garden before choosing the roses you want to place in the ground. Balance your width and height measurements with roses you're looking to acquire. Your roses should have the necessary amount of room to grow as well as an abundance of air space. If you only have a minimal amount of space to reserve for your roses, you may need to think about growing miniature roses. These roses do not take up much space and are trouble-free to plant and take care of.

Color

In addition to size, you will need to see how the colors of your roses affect your garden? Study several catalogs, as well as your neighbors' gardens, to get an inspiration of the colors you like the most.

Though, the colors of your roses might not seem that important, you should think about the colors of the other flowers and plants that your roses will live with in the garden. Will the mixture of colors look pleasant, or will they conflict? For some people, color-selection is a main concern; while for others, it's no big deal.

Climate

While height is an important aspect in your rose garden planning, selecting the right roses for your specific climatic area is also essential. In order for your roses to grow vigorous and mature, they have to be used to your climate. For instance, if you reside in an region where it snows 7 months out of the year, you'll want to be sure you buy roses that can hold up to cold temperatures.

Maintenance

How much of your day are you willing to use maintaining your roses? Do you want to spend most of your waking hours in the garden, or are you more of a low-maintenance type of person? There are quite a few varieties of roses which are very high-maintenance. Although, they will look great in your garden, they will also take much of your time. The classification known as "Modern Roses" are very attractive, long blooming, and exceptionally aromatic, then again they are very high maintenance and are susceptible to diseases.

The rose category recognized as "Old Garden Roses", have been bred to be very disease-free and need less maintenance. "Old Garden Roses" blooms for numerous months at a time, and have a strong and beautiful perfume. The downside is that persons with strong allergies to scents will have a hard time near them. If this seems to be a problem for a family member or a frequent visitor then you may prefer any of the variety known as "shrub roses". They are also disease-resilient and have a long blooming period, but do not give off as potent a scent.

Landscape roses may be your best choice if you are a gardening newbie and want to start your first garden by planting roses. These roses are easily cared for and disease-resistant. They'll look spectacular just about anyplace. If your garden has trellises, you can also try adding a few climbing roses. While climbing roses seem the same as landscape roses, climbing roses have been taught to grow upward like vines. They're a gorgeous addition to any home.

To find more tips on growing a rose garden visit http://www.rose.myzury.com, a site that focuses in giving rose gardening advice, tips and resources that you can use to grow a beautiful rose garden.

Why Bare Root Roses Are A Stand Out Choice

2007-04-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

by Glenn Cutforth

Bare root roses are not very pretty when they arrive at your door. They're dormant stock and brown roots, but since there's no chance of transplant shock, they're a great choice for beginning your rose garden. They're grown in fields, dug out in the fall, put into cold storage, then shipped to you. You can then plant them in early spring in virtually any part of the country.

One advantage of choosing bare root roses is the selection. You have a much wider range of choices then in a standard nursery. Depending on where you live, you can plant as early as February, which allows the root system to become well established earlier. You usually get better first year growth, as well as better quality roses.

When your bare root roses arrive, their very survival depends on you doing a few things. First, plant them as soon as possible, or store them in moist soil. You definitely don't want them to dry out! The heeling in process, as it's called, is just laying the roses on their sides, and gently heaping loose soil over the roots. Be sure to keep the soil moist until you plant them. Before that however, you'll want to inspect the roses immediately. Any damaged roots or canes should be snipped off with clean, sharp pruning shears. You don't want disease or rot spreading, specifically root and crown galls, so act quickly.

Additionally, you should soak the roots overnight in either willow water, or add a little rooting activator to the bucket of water. This contains a synthetic Vitamin B1. This will aid in dehydrating the roots. Save the water for later planting use. Next prepare the hole for planting. It should be one and a half times as deep and one and a half times as wide as the root system is long. You'll want to support the rose's root crown by mounding some soil around the hole.

If you've properly prepared your soil, enhancing it isn't necessary. If your soil lacks nutrients, add a little bone meal or ground phosphate rock to the hole bottom. You can try adding a touch of kelp powder into the hole too for added health. Plant according to your hardiness zone. In all cases you'll want to spread the roots down, and over the top of the mounded soil, into the holes bottom. Equally distribute the roots around the mound. Never wrap roots around the rose. Remember, placing them properly will ensure good growth.

There are five types of bare root roses available in the United States. These include the Hybrid Tea-large flowers, about 30-50 petals per stem, one bloom per stem; Grandiflora have large blooms in clusters on the stem; The Floribunda have continually blooming, compact clusters of blooms on each stem; The Climbers include the types above except they climb and spread; and finally there are shrub type roses, which grow to be 5 to 15 feet tall and wide. They're self-cleaning so you don't need to deadhead them. David Austin's unique group of hybridized roses (typically called English Roses) belong to this class.

Adding bare root roses to your landscape has, not only the outlined benefits, but they add interest to your garden with their many types and colours. Bring some into your life, and you won't ever want them to stay forever -- and they almost do.

About the Author
Glenn Cutforth is a writer, graphic designer and publisher of quality eBooks at Maxx Publishing http://www.MaxxPublishing.com. If you're interested in getting started with your own Garden, visit his website Lawn and Garden Magic at http://www.LawnandGardenMagic.com, where you'll find a wealth of information, tips and resources.

The Beauty Of Roses

2007-04-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

by Tango Pang

Roses are probably one of the most prized flowers in a garden. There are so many types of roses that one could plant acres and acres of them and each rosebush could bear a different type of flower. The beauty and the fragrance of roses have been celebrated for many centuries, and they still hold a high stature in flower gardening today.

You have several choices to make if you are considering planting and growing roses. Firstly , you want to consider the climate in the area where you live. Roses grow the best in climates where temperatures never get too extreme either way, and they prefer soil that drains well.

Rosebushes are thirsty plants too, and she welcomes fairly long rainy seasons. If you live in an area which is hot and dry most of the time, try to find roses that have been bred to better withstand this type of dry climate. Rose breeders are constantly doing research to create hardier plants; roses that can withstand very cold or very hot climates.

Once you've found the type of rose that grows best in your area, then you will want to decide on color, scent, size, etc. There are some roses that have been bred with a focus on beauty, and they may not have strong scent as some others roses. Other types of roses give off such a strong scent that they can saturate your entire yard with their sweet rose fragrance. It is just a matter of preference, but most rose gardeners try to find something somewhere in the middle.

The beauty of roses is that you have so many colors from which to choose from that you are guaranteed to find exactly what you are looking for. The right choice of rose will accentuate your yard and home in a beautiful way that one can only imagine.

About the Author
TangoPang runs an several informational website dedicated to providing unbiased information on Home and Gardening Improvement topics. For more gardening tips, please see http://www.howto-lawncare.com

Show Your Green Thumb Off With These Helpful Hints for Growing A Beautiful Rose Garden

2007-03-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

By Tim Gorman

Beginning a rose garden can feel like an overwhelming prospect -- just choosing a rose to plant can blow your mind if you start looking at all the options out there. Books, designed to be "helpful", can make the situation worse. They contain so many hints, so much advice, so much of it looking contradictory -- it is no wonder you want to toss them out the window and give up! Forget the books for now; what follows is some basic, uncomplicated, information to get your rose garden started.

Rose bushes need plenty of breathing space, so look at your available room and figure how many plants you can handle based on spacing them at least 18" apart, further if possible. Climbers require even more room -- at least 12 feet between bushes! If you are planting miniatures in your garden, a foot to 15" apart should be enough space. Do not overcrowd if you want your rose plants to be healthy and blooming.

Roses should preferably be planted in the spring, but no later than early summer. They need time to get their roots deeply underground to survive cold and freezing temperatures. Also, most varieties of roses require around six hours of direct sunlight, so plan accordingly. Some roses are happy in the shade, however, so assess your garden space and watch the sunlight carefully. If you do not have lots of sun, check with the nursery to find a rose variety that is suitable for shady areas.

In the spring and summer, roses need to have a lot of water. You do not necessarily need to water your rose garden every day, only regularly and deeply, allowing water to seep down into the roots. This is best accomplished by watering every few days, for a long period of time.

Another good question for the experts: Which rose is best to plant? Generally, older, hardy breeds tend to be sturdier and easier to care for. Look for roses that have stood the test of time!
Do not be intimidated by the prospect of starting and taking care of a rose garden. Take your time, but don’t hesitate too long; investigate your options, watch your sun and talk to your nursery during the winter so that first thing in the spring, you will be ready to go and start your rose garden.

For more information on growing a rose garden in the spring try visiting www.rose-gardening-made-easy.info, a website that specializes in providing rose gardening advice, tips and resources to include information on summer rose gardening that you can use to grow a beautiful rose garden.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Raising Roses and your Climate Zone

2007-03-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

by Dave Owen

To become a proud owner of a beautiful rose garden this year, one of the first things you should research what climate zone you are in. It may be nice to know that your yard will receive lots of sunshine. But, one of the key bits of information you need concerns the annual temperature variance in your zone. It is primarily how cold your plants will get that will determine the plants that you will be able to grow.

Get Familiar With Your Zone

If you ask any experienced gardener about a reliable source of information about climate zones, they will tell you that they use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This map is broken into 11 different climate zones and covers all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. Refering to this map, you will be able to determine what to plant your garden.

On the growing instructions that come with your plants, there will be information about the growing conditions the plants need to thrive. Regardless if you will be planting vegetables, flowers or landscaping plants to use as landscaping, you will need this information. It is a good idea (if you do not want to waste your money) to check USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map before you purchase any plants.

You will find that the map is very large and colorful. Its was put together as the result of a joint venture between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Arnold Arboretum (of Harvard University). The map is the result of combining years of weather data.

This data tracked the average low (coldest) temperatures in different regions of the United States. The different climate zones are depicted with a unique color. Zone 1 is the region with the lowest (coldest) temperature. In this region, the temperatures can be as low as -50 F (-45 C). On the other end of the chart is Zone 11. In this zone, the lowest temperature recorded during any part of the year has always above 40 F (4 C).

The climate zones bounderies are set up for the most part as you would expect. They are set up with the colder zones starting in the northern portion of North America and warming as they move to the south. Due to elevation changes, there are some variations in a few zones. But, this is to be expected.

To find your climate zone is very easy. To find it on the internet, navigate to the USDA website (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html). On this map, you will be able to find your location and identify the zone. On this page, you can also select a map by state.

What is the importance of the zone to Rose Gardening

Roses are easier to grow than most people think. They require regular care and maintenance. Probably the number one thing roses need is the correct climate in which to grow. You can find varieties of roses that are very hardy, more so than others. Some are able to handle colder climate zones. That is if they have been properly prepared for the seasonal changes. If you are in one of the colder zones (lower numbered) you will need to find roses that are bred for your zone. If not, you may find that your plants do not look near as good as they did in the nursery.

Be kind to your plants, choose them for the zone.

About the Author
For more information about how to grow beautiful roses, visit Dave Owen's Rose Information.

Taking Care Of Your Prized Roses

2007-03-14T01:40:00.000-07:00

by Lanny Hintz

Roses have been considered as one of the most popular and beautiful flowers all over the world. It has long been a symbol of beauty and loveliness. Having blooming roses in one's garden is such a sight to see aside from the sweet fragrance it radiates around the place. If you grow flowers in your garden, especially roses I am pretty sure that you consider them to be one of your prized plants. I know that you have been dedicating time and effort to ensure that they grow and produce beautiful flowers for people to admire. If we want our roses to thrive especially during the difficult summer months, we need to take the necessary steps and measures to ensure that they will last and survive for a longer period of time.

The climate during the summer can be extremely hot especially in certain parts of the country and the world. It is a must for you to constantly give your roses enough water to avoid for them from wilting or drying. It is important that you water the soil where your roses are planted instead of watering the plant or foliage. To help keep and preserve the moisture, try applying mulch (like wood chips or pine needles) around your roses.

For your roses to be at their best even during the summer, you should have fertilized your roses around three times during the year. You should have fertilized during the early spring, followed up during your roses' first blooms and then the last application during July. To keep pesky insects and diseases under control, obtain sprays from garden stores that help abate this problem.

It is essential that you regularly prune your roses. Utilize sharp pruning spears or cutters to make clean cuts and avoid damaging the branches. Your pruning spears should be kept dry to avoid it from becoming rusty. They should be regularly cleaned before using to prevent them having fungus that could give diseases to your roses.

Always get rid of dying or dead growth to prevent diseases from developing and to make your rose bushes look good. If you want your roses to be growing in the correct direction shape them while they are still growing. Also keep them away from other plants that may harm their growth.

The trick to growing roses is to have patience and effort in growing them. I'm sure that in no time you will be enjoying the beauty of your rose bushes.

About the Author
Lanny Hintz writes about DutchGardens coupon codes, Bloming bulb Discount Sales

Improve Your Rose Garden With These Tips And Advice On Where To Find Rose Gardening Help

2007-03-08T02:33:00.000-08:00

By Tim Gorman

When you are looking for rose gardening help, you have several different source options available to you, all of which are compiled by experts and other gardeners to assist you in your efforts. Besides books and magazines, you can also find volumes of help on the internet, where you can perform a direct search for the problem at hand.

While you could visit your local library and index books, magazines, and other periodicals, the internet is now the information superhighway, where you are guaranteed to find information related to your search on gardening help. There are several sites around the world dedicated to rose gardening, and these collect articles, web blogs, and other various information on roses, cultivation of the garden, and various problems that may arise.

If you prefer the old-fashioned method of research and help, you can visit the library. There are a large number of books dedicated to horticulture and gardening, and several of these concentrate on tips and tricks for rose gardening. You can also index periodicals and references such as encyclopedias to see if the question you have is answered in this media. If all else fails, you can ask for help at a local nursery or perhaps sign up for a rose gardening club or class, where you’ll find lots of help from both instructors and peers.

If you can’t find what you are looking for in a general article on rose gardening, you can find help from others who may have experienced the same problem. The internet contains discussion forums on almost any topic, including rose gardening. Here, other gardeners have discussed issues they’ve come across in their gardening efforts that have stumped them. Once a problem is presented, other rose gardeners offer help by sharing their experiences and solutions. If you can’t find the help you are looking for there, you can always present the question yourself and wait for a response.

For more information on rose gardening help and early spring rose gardening please visit http://www.rose-gardening-made-easy.info, a popular website that provides rose gardening tips, advice and resources to include information on summer, winter and spring rose gardening.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Tips on Growing Roses

2007-03-01T23:14:00.000-08:00

by Carlos Torres

Tips on Growing Roses

Grow

In this guide, you will not only have all of the right skills at your fingertips, but you will get tips that you can use to grow your very own bed of roses. Check with your local gardening center or florist for the best type of roses to grow in you climate.

The following suggestions will help insure that your roses grow into healthy bushes, trees, etc.

1.Your new roses have probably dried out during shipping or storage, therefore before planting, either bury the roots in wet saw dust or peat moss for several days or soak them overnight in water. Keep the roots wet when planting, do not let them dry out.

2.Prune damaged and broken roots.

3.Prune main roots just enough to reveal white healthy tissue. This will help more roots grow.

4.Prune the plant back to three or four healthy canes. Try to keep the center of the plant empty. Prune the healthy canes back to about six (6) inches using sharp pruning shears. Keep the cutting blade on the lower side. Cut at a 45 to 60 degree angle. Cut about one fourth inch above an outside bud union.

5.In order to prevent infection, treat the cuts with some type of sealant or sealing paint.

6.Make sure that you have removed any suckers that may have started growing during shipping or storage.

If you are new to rose gardening, then it is wise to choose varieties of easy to grow roses to begin your rose garden. Easy to grow roses need some care as well.

Long stem roses tend to flower continuously and can grow 2-6 feet tall. Climbing roses are different from the regular roses that are planted as they are trained to grow upward like vines.

Water

If you start to water in hot weather, you must keep it up, soaking the roots thoroughly about once a week. Drops of water on the leaves can cause burning, and lead to black spot disease so always water from underneath, soaking the earth until it is damp but not soggy. I have used empty plastic milk containers for watering the roots of my roses. Wash the container well. Cut several small holes near the bottom of the container. Bury the container ear the base of the rose plant with the top just above the ground. Fill the container with water and put the cap on the container. The water will slowly seep out, watering the rose plants at the roots.

Soil

Fill the container with garden soil that contains some compost or organic fertilizer. Carpeted with a thick layer of soil preserving and plant protecting mulch. Prepare the soil in the rose beds well before in order to allow for settling of the soil. For mulch, I have used old newspapers. They will keep the weeds from growing all season, keep water in the soil, and will slowly decay, putting nutrients back into the soil. I cover the newspapers with leaves or other mulch.
If you are replacing an old rose bush, approximately 1 1/2 cubic feet of old soil should be removed, and fresh soil added to replace it. Then the plant should be placed in the hole carefully and the hole refilled with soil, covering the roots properly. The soil type, sun exposure, and nutrients it needs all depend on the variety.

Remember to take into consideration the type of soil you will use, the surrounding area where you will plant the rose, the amount of sun it will receive, and the temperatures it can tolerate.

Understand the soil type and provide good drainage.

Pruning

Rose pruning isn't as complicated as some people make it out to be. Here is a list of the proper techniques to guide through the pruning process. Using pruning shears or flower-cutting shears cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, no shorter than just above the first five-leaflet leaf below the flower.

Prune the healthy canes back to about six (6) inches using sharp pruning shears. Do hard pruning in the late winter or early spring just as new growth begins. Follow these tips and make rose pruning an easy gardening job.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding the time of pruning roses. With the help of pruning, disease is removed, thus helping the plant grow in a healthy environment.

Having a rose garden is one of the most rewarding gardens for the outdoor gardener. You don't need to have a large space to enjoy growing roses. There are so many varieties, you can have a rose garden in your yard or apartment.

About the Author
Carlos has a M.S. degree. He has been retired for almost a year and has been doing exceptionally well in MLM and online marketing. He has owned and operated business in the U.S. and abroad. http://snipurl.com/ziqq http://www.thepathtochoose.com

Cultivating Beauty: Rose Gardening

2007-02-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

by Dave Owen

Roses have received a reputation of requiring high maintenance and being difficult to grow. It is a shame because they are one of the most beautiful and distinctive flowers. But, with a little knowledge how and tender love and care, raising roses can createa fragrant and beautiful mainstay to your gardens. As a result of the efforts of many hortaculturists, modern hybrids and hardy varieties make rose gardening simpler and more rewarding than ever.

One can find roses in colors from white to almost black, and every shade in between. Along with the vast variety of colors, rose plants can be found with a different growing habits and degrees of hardiness. One can find roses that vary from a low growing shrub to elegant climbings. One of the most enjoyable experiences of rose gardening is being able to choose the varietie and color to plant. One type of rose that is becoming very popular is the antique. These can be found at many rose emporiums and have been nurtured from cuttings taken from old cemetaries.

Planting

To create a successful rose garden, one must choose the a good location for planting. Roses like full sun with well-drained soil to thrive. the prefered condition is rich soil containing plenty of organic matter. But roses are very hardy and can tolerate most soil types. To make sure your rose plants are placed in the ground as soon as possible, prepare your rose bed before purchasing your plants.

You have two options when you purchase your rose plants: bare root and potted. The least expensive of the two are bare root roses because they are packaged and shipped in their dormant state. But, if you want a quick start to your rose garden, you will probably want to purchase potted roses. As they take root and bloom more quickly, potted roses are a good choice for beginning rose gardeners.

After the bed has been prepared and the plants purchased, it is time to begin planting. To make sure you rose has the best chance of quality growth, the hole must be prepared properly. It should be large enough to contain the entire root system of the rose. This means that is should be deep enough to cover the root ball to the crown.

Pruning and Care

To maintain the health of your plant, rose gardening involves some ongoing upkeep. To encourage growth and maintain health, roses should be pruned in both spring and fall. If done properly, pruning will cut out any dead or weak branches and remove twiggy, non-productive growth.

If you live in an area of cold or snowy winters, preparing your rose bushes for winter is an important part of rose gardening. To protect your rose bushs from winter chills, simply mound mulch around the base of each rose bush and secure it in place with a collar or cage.

Often known as the hobby of royalty, rose gardening has a long, rich history. It is being enjoyed by an increasing number of modern gardners because of the beauty and hardiness of the plants. To enjoy this beautiful hobby only a little knowledge, a patch of garden space and a love for beauty.

About the Author
Dave Owen is the owner of My Roses, where you can find the information to take care of the worlds most beautiful flowers...

How Roses Can be Easy to Grow

2007-02-15T01:46:00.000-08:00

by Thomas Straub

Many people ask whether roses are hard to grow. The answer is, no.

Roses are really quite easy to grow and require little more care than any other perennial plant. You can learn all you need to know to grow beautiful, healthy roses in the new e-book "Gardening Made Easy," available from our site.

Here's an overview of the planting, care and maintenance of roses from the chapter on rose gardening in "Gardening Made Easy."

Planting Roses

Soil preparation for roses is extremely important because roses use a lot of nutrients. Preparing the soil bed for roses using 100% organic compost is a very good practice, not only for the nutrients that the compost provides, but also because compost will drain well and still retain plenty of moisture. While Roses require a well-drained planting bed, they also require plenty of water.

Maintaining Your Roses

Because roses bloom throughout the growing season, they are heavy nutrient users and will require regular fertilizing. Feed your roses in the spring when the leaves begin to bud out and again in late summer or early fall, depending on the part of the country you live in.

Dealing With Diseases That Effect Roses

Roses are susceptible to fungi and mildew, as well as insect infestation. Many of these diseases can be prevented and all of them can be controlled with regular applications of fungicides and insecticides.

There are also several beneficial insects that can be imported into your garden to help you control insect infestations without the use of chemicals.

Winterizing Your Roses

If you live in a warmer climate you will not need to do much in the way of preparing your roses for winter other than a good layer of mulch. In climates where temperatures regularly go below 25 degrees F, you will need to protect your roses with additional mulch.

Building cages around your roses and filling the cages with mulch after the first freeze will ensure that your roses make it through the winter to bloom again in the spring.

These simple and easy suggestions will help your roses renew their beauty for many seasons yet to come.

About the Author
Tom Straub is a successful author and webmaster of the Best Gardening Tips website. Discover everything you ever wanted to know about gardening... but never dared to ask.

Rose Garden Can Be An Owners Pride

2007-02-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

by Peter Finch

The beauty of the rose garden can never be underestimated. Belonging to the genus Rosa, roses have dominated literature and history by being associated with beauty, love, war and politics. Botanically the genus Rosa has 150 species dispersed around the northern hemisphere.

The Origins

Cultivating roses in gardens probably began in China around 5000 years ago. Various anecdotes and references to the rose are also available during the Roman period and 15th century England. Josephine, Napoleon Bonapartes wife, was believed to be very fond of this flower and took great interest in cultivating a rose garden a little away from the heart of Paris. In the late 18th century, cultivated roses were introduced to Europe from China. Modern day roses are usually traced back to this ancestry.

Kinds Of Roses

If you would like to cultivate your own rose garden, there are five kinds of roses to choose from:

1. Species rose. These are the variety of natural roses as gifted to us by genus Rosa. Vigorous and disease resistant, they are naturally abundant in the northern hemisphere. You may often find them lying on the ground or climbing upright with simple 5 petaled flowers varying in shades from white to pink to crimson. They mostly bloom in early summer and the most familiar species is Rosa rugosa owing to easy maintenance and disease resistance. Rose lovers may grow them in their rose gardens owing to their historical significance and easy maintenance.
2. Old European garden roses. This revered assembly represents the hybrid group of roses that prevailed prior to the 18th century and include Gallica, Damask, Alba, Centifolia, and Mosses. Rose gardens of this group enjoy a reputation of thriving better on cooler zones.

3. Repeat blooming old roses. This hardy group of roses are a gardeners delight. They usually grace a rose garden with their exquisite bloom & fragrance, tolerance to cold climes and disease resistance. However these roses lack recurrent bloom throughout the summer.

4. Modern Rose. Consisting of hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora, this species was born in 1867 when hybridzer Jean Baptiste Guillot cultivated La France in his rose garden.

5. Shrub roses - While all roses are shrubs, this group of roses generally refers to those of the genus that do not fit into the other groups. They can add variety to any rose garden and are marked by their rounded shapes, free flowering, winter hardiness and disease resistance. Popular members of this group are English Garden Roses,David Austin Roses, Sub-Zero Roses, Dr. Buck Roses, Kordesii Roses, Canadian Explorer Roses, Parkland Roses, Meidiland Roses,
Hybrid Rugosa and Hybrid Musk.

Selecting The Rose

After finalizing the group that you would like in your rose garden, you may have to choose the grade of rose. It is important to remember that you need to choose a variety that will suit the size of the garden and the local clime.

Grafted roses, which you may purchase for your rose garden, are usually based upon American Nursery Standard grades 1, 1 1/2 and 2. Grade 1 plants are supposed to be the best of the lot and are therefore premium priced. Usually they have three or more canes with 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The roots are usually large and well developed. Second in the order of quality are the Grade 1 1/2 roses; they are usually marked by two strong canes and can be nurtured to the Grade 1 quality. Grade 2 roses are usually termed as the "bargain" or "cheap" roses.

Buying The Rose

It is very important to enquire and then decide on the right source to purchase plants for your rose garden. Choices are rampant. Your local garden centres, retail outlets or the mail. It would be wise to select a reputable dealer who would ensure quality.

A rose garden needs good care and nurturing. Ensure that you seek proper advice to plant and prune the shrubs, add the appropriate fertilizer, secure pest control treatment and take special care of the shrub during winter. Proper care and technique added to your enthusiasm will guarantee you a blooming rose garden the next summer.

About the Author
Get all of the latest in rose garden know how from the one and only true rose garden resource at http://www.gardendesignadvice.com/ Be sure to check out our rose garden pages on our web site.

Rose Gardens

2007-01-23T01:19:00.000-08:00

by Lanny Hintz

Everyone who builds his own garden and choosing different flowers to plant in his garden necessarily chooses rose as one of those plants. Roses are indeed very beautiful flowers and they add a lot of charm to your garden. Hence, who would not like to have rose plant as one of his flower plants?

People usually have wrong notions regarding roses. They think that roses are difficult to grow and they might often have a lesser life span than expected. However, this notion is not true. Rose plants are easy to grow and they add a lot of charm to your garden when they blossom. All you need to do is arrange the rose plants the right pattern in your garden. Then you can observe for yourself how roses look so attractive whether in combination with other color flowers and separately by themselves.

There are some requirements for a rose plant to grow properly. The first requirement is good soil. The site used for planting roses must be free from weeds and rocks. Any previous vegetation that was planted on the site must also be removed. Then the soil must be turned and adequate quantity of fertilizers must be added. Fertilizers ensure that your soil is rich is nutrients and help your rose plants to grow properly.

Ensure that the soil has good drainage facility. Keep turning the soil for one or two weeks. Compost, a mixer of soil and materials like banana peels, eggshells, apple cores, and coffee can be added continuously during this period to increase the nutrient content of the soil.

Rose plants can be acquired in a number of ways. Like everything else, even rose plants can be purchased on the internet. There are a number of websites relating to horticulture which deliver rose plant bulbs to your doorstep, which can then be planted in your garden. Rose plant bulbs can also be obtained from the local nursery in your area for a decent price. They will give you the right variety of rose plant that can grow and flourish in that specific season.

The good thing about rose plants is that their growth can be controlled by pruning them from time to time. After you have planted the bulbs in the soil, keep watering them regularly. Within a few weeks, beautiful looking rose flowers will emerge in your garden and it will be a pleasant sight to watch

About the Author
Lanny Hintz writes about Henry Fields Nursery , BloomingBulb coupons

Improve Your Landscaping With a Rose Garden

2007-01-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

by Andrew Caxton

Enjoy Landscaping With Rose GardeningEverybody likes to take pride in their garden and one way to do that is to add a few flowers. Flowers make the garden look beautiful and fragrant and they really can make all of the difference in creating the perfect landscaping.

Landscaping Your Garden Using Roses

When you landscape a garden you are making it look its complete best. Deciding upon where everything goes and how everything should look can really help you to create the perfect, scenic garden. Rose gardening adds a touch of beauty and elegance to the landscape and that really can help to brighten the garden up and help you to enjoy it more.

Deciding upon a place to put the roses is the hardest part. You have to mix them in with other features such as rockery, other plants and perhaps even water features. A good way of making roses stand out is by buying an arbor and letting the roses grow around it. This is a common landscaping decoration and it does tend to work quite well. It can be used as a centerpiece and guests will absolutely love it.

Dedicating a whole section to your rose garden is a great idea and you may want to plan it all out beforehand. Draw how you want your garden to look and all of the possibilities you can possibly think of where the roses could go. Remember that with certain varieties of roses you have to plant them a certain distance away from each other, otherwise they will not survive long!

One of the most important aspects of rose gardening is the fact that it has to be color coordinated. If the color of the roses clash with the color of the rest of the garden, the whole effect will be ruined and you will have to start your landscaping all over again. There is no room for errors which is why everything needs to be planned out beforehand.

Overall rose gardening can be an essential part of landscaping if you are trying to make the garden look scenic and homely whilst adding a touch of elegance at the same time. Just be sure that you do plan everything carefully from the color of the roses to where you are going to plant them. Try and make the best use out of them as possible and ensure that they are planted in conditions to suit them. Roses can be temperamental so generally you do have to make sure that you are putting them in an ideal place where they will thrive, not die!

About the Author
Andrew Caxton use to write on lawn care and subjects for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com. For additional information on gardening with roses or landscaping subjects have a look at his web.

Grow Better Roses By Carefully Preparing Your Rose Garden

2007-01-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

By Tim Gorman

Rose gardens are lovely additions to any home and people are sometimes surprised to know how little time it takes to maintain a rose garden once the roses are thriving. Choosing your rose plants and preparing your garden can be a very time consuming and labor intensive part, but the enjoyment that you get from your rose garden once your roses are blooming will make it well worth your effort!

It is an absolute necessity to determine exactly how much space you have and how you hope to utilize that space. One of the most important things you need to know about roses is that they require quite a bit of space. Jamming them in will limit growth and beauty, if not kill them altogether. Different rose varieties have different space requirements, so find out as much as you can about the plants that interest you to make sure you have the proper room for them.

Once you have chosen a good spot and your rose plants, you will need to assess the condition of your soil. You will need to make sure the ground is prepared for planting by loosening the earth with a garden claw or auger. If you have a lot of clay, it is especially important to loosen the clay, remove some, and then supplement with potting soil, which is much less sticky. Make sure your holes are deep enough to completely and deeply bury the roots as roses are very susceptible to cold weather. Your rose garden will be healthier if your dirt is prepared properly.

After planting, feed your roses. The rose food should be watered down into the ground to reach roots. Mulch around the plants just before winter so that the roots are protected from freezing. Once you have planted thoughtfully and carefully, your rose garden should bring you years of enjoyment with minimal upkeep.

For more information on growing a rose garden in the spring try visiting www.rose-gardening-made-easy.info, a website that specializes in providing rose gardening advice, tips and resources to include information on summer rose gardening that you can use to grow a beautiful rose garden.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Adding Roses To Your Landscaping

2007-01-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

by A.Caxton

If you love gardening roses, then you will also love landscaping your yard using the beauty of roses. Landscaping includes designing a space for plants, flowers, and trees in your yard, someone else's yard, or even in front of a business. When you landscape using roses, you will find that the beautiful roses will add a beauty and appeal like nothing else and it will also give you a great sense of pride in a job well done. Merging roses in with your trees, bushes, and flowers, will make the area look more interesting both texturally and visually.

When landscaping, you have a particular space to fill that is a specific dimension, much like you do when you have a regular rose garden. When landscaping, you include the rose garden in a space with trees, bushes, and other flowers that will create a beautiful cohesive garden with. To begin your landscaping, you will want to use a pencil and paper to design the area by sketching where you want to place the roses, trees, bushes, and other flowers. If you do not create a plan, then it will be difficult to plan what plants that you will need and how they will all work together.

Now that you have some idea of where you are going to place your rose bushes, you need to determine what colors will work best with the home or building that the garden will be near and the other plants that are in the garden. For example, orange hibiscus plants are beautiful, but pink roses right next to them may not look that great. Blues and purples coordinate beautifully though, to help keep your landscape well balanced and beautiful.

Rose bushes need space to grow properly so you may need to clear out the area around your roses to allow them room to grow. Too many plants and flowers in an area can look cluttered, so it may be best to choose a few beautiful plants that you can concentrate on, rather than a plethora of plants that is hard to look at because it looks so cluttered. Make your choices wisely to help enhance your landscaped garden, rather than detract from it.

Roses can add both visual interest and a beautiful smell to your garden. Adding them to a landscaped garden can give your garden an entirely new look and feel that you will enjoy and love for a long time to come.

About the Author
Andrew Caxton is the editor of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A free online magazine that carries articles on landscaping, and a guide on lawn care here landscaping

Roses Can Make Any Space More Beautiful

2007-01-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

by Andrew Caxton

If you love gardening roses, then you will also love landscaping your yard using the beauty of roses. Landscaping includes designing a space for plants, flowers, and trees in your yard, someone else's yard, or even in front of a business. When you landscape using roses, you will find that the beautiful roses will add a beauty and appeal like nothing else and it will also give you a great sense of pride in a job well done. Merging roses in with your trees, bushes, and flowers, will make the area look more interesting both texturally and visually.

When landscaping, you have a particular space to fill that is a specific dimension, much like you do when you have a regular rose garden. When landscaping, you include the rose garden in a space with trees, bushes, and other flowers that will create a beautiful cohesive garden with. To begin your landscaping, you will want to use a pencil and paper to design the area by sketching where you want to place the roses, trees, bushes, and other flowers. If you do not create a plan, then it will be difficult to plan what plants that you will need and how they will all work together.

Now that you have some idea of where you are going to place your rose bushes, you need to determine what colors will work best with the home or building that the garden will be near and the other plants that are in the garden. For example, orange hibiscus plants are beautiful, but pink roses right next to them may not look that great. Blues and purples coordinate beautifully though, to help keep your landscape well balanced and beautiful.

Rose bushes need space to grow properly so you may need to clear out the area around your roses to allow them room to grow. Too many plants and flowers in an area can look cluttered, so it may be best to choose a few beautiful plants that you can concentrate on, rather than a plethora of plants that is hard to look at because it looks so cluttered. Make your choices wisely to help enhance your landscaped garden, rather than detract from it.

Roses can add both visual interest and a beautiful smell to your garden. Adding them to a landscaped garden can give your garden an entirely new look and feel that you will enjoy and love for a long time to come.

About the Author
Andrew Caxton publishes articles at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A website with tips on lawn care at landscaping

Rose Gardening- How To Take Care During Winter

2006-12-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

by Beverly Kane

While winter is the season of hibernation and dormancy for your roses, it can spell disaster, if you let it face the season with out taking any precaution.

The tougher varieties like old garden roses and own-root types normally survive through the bitter cold, but the more delicate varieties like hybrid teas and budded roses can wither easily, if left unprotected.

Preparation process for your rose bush, begins right at the time of selecting the roses for plantation. While browsing the net or printed catalogues, or even admiring the roses on display at your local garden store, be careful to choose only those types which are tough to glide through the harshness of winter, typical of the area in which you live in. consult the "hardiness zone maps", if necessary before you make that final selection.

The key to making your roses make it through the harsh winter is to deliberately make them hibernate or push them into dormancy. You can achieve this by stopping any fertilizing activity by mid August, ceasing all dead heading and pruning activities by the beginning of October. You must let hip formation to further ensure dormancy.

Be certain to keep your plants in a frozen condition, if you live in very cold areas. Prevent the freeze/thaw/freeze cycles to happen repeatedly. To ensure this, never put any early covers on your plants. Bide your time till the first hard frost hits and the leaves start falling. Remove all fallen leaves, diseased leaves and other debris from around your rose bush at this time, as these insects and fungi hibernate during winter and return to damage during spring.

Prune and trim the taller roses, before you put on any winter covering. Do not prune these too thoroughly, as you will have to prune again to remove dead and disease-infected canes in spring. You can tie the canes together - this will protect them from the cold and gusty winter winds.
One of the very popular and easy methods to protect your rose bush during winter months is called "hilling". This method involves piling a lot of moisture-free loose soil or compost around your rose bush. This piling should be around 10 to 12 inches in depth. This is a very good covering for the plants, provided it is dry.

You should cover the mound with hay, leaves or evergreen branches, once it has frozen completely.

With this type of dry covering, with moisture-free soil or compost, your rose bushes have the winter protection that they need so badly to survive.

After your have successfully put your rose garden to rest for the winter, take some time off to sharpen your garden maintenance tools, so that you can start afresh in spring.
Winter is the time for short days and long nights. As you sit and warm your heels by the fire side, browse through the websites and printed catalogues to order for next year's roses.

About the Author
Beverly Kane is a staff writer at Home Garden Enthusiast and is an occasional contributor to several othe websites, including The Shopping Gazette.

Roses that Bloom in the Shade

2006-12-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

by Susi Carter

Most roses need five to six hours of sun to prosper and bloom and there are indeed very few roses that tolerate or even enjoy being in partial shade. No known variety will thrive in full shade. There are some miniatures and a few climbing and shrub roses that are fairly shade tolerant and will adjust to partial shade.

Roses are natural sun lovers and no matter what variety you choose, most will produce less bloom even in partial shade. However, it is possible to select roses that do okay in the shade, and that do not noticeably lose any blooms. Those that can be adapted will produce larger and more lush bloom and foliage. Pale colored roses actually look better in the shade because shading helps them fully display their colors, where they would appear somewhat faded looking in full sun.

Here are some suitable varieties if you want to try to grow roses in partial shade:

Rosa 'Ballerina'

Ballerina is a variety of a hybrid musk rose producing single, very dainty five petaled flowers which grow in clusters. The flowers are pink and white, and held erect and above the foliage, creating a beautiful display. As with all musk roses, Ballerina has a distinct and delightful fragrance. Because it is naturally disease resistant and tolerant of partial shade, this is a variety that is relatively easy to care for. It will bloom well into the autumn, creating a long blooming season and will then produce vividly colored attractive hips. It can be trained as a climber, but looks better in its natural shrub form. Ballerina is a versatile easy to grow rose and makes an excellent subject for growing in part shade.

Knock-Out Rose

Rosa 'Radrazz', otherwise known as Knock-Out Rose is the award winning rose variety that is the most shade tolerant of any rose variety. The bright, cherry red blossoms are in a perpetual state of growth and production. The mildly fragrant bloom starts in early spring and continues the cycle through the summer, autumn, and even into winter. Not only is the Knock-Out tolerant of partial shade, it is also disease and drought resistant. Resistance to blackspot makes it a good subject for areas of high humidity. This versatile rose is a superior choice for beginners and pros alike as it practically guarantees success.

Playboy

Playboy is perhaps the most spectacular of the shade tolerant roses. It produces glossy foliage which sets of the bloom to perfection. The semi-double flowers are fairly large. Bloom color starts out in shades of yellow and then progresses to orange and finally reaches a deep red color as it ages and fades. Playboy has a very dramatic appearance and is beautiful at all stages as well as disease resistant. Being fairly easy to grow makes it a good choice for your part-shade garden and is especially suitable for a border or as a hedge.

Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin'

Zephirine Drouhin is a well known old fashioned climbing rose with the added attraction of having thornless canes. The rich dark green foliage contrasts beautifully with brightly colored pink blossoms which are borne in profusion even in partial shade. This is a great rose for training over an arbor or trellis where it's clouds of intensely fragrant flowers can be admired from spring through fall.

No matter which of the above rose varieties you select, you are likely to have a positive rose growing experience, even in partial shade.

About the Author
Susi is webmaster of BackYardGarden.info dedicated to plants and flowers you can grow in your back yard garden.

A Flower Garden Adds Color to Your Yard

2006-12-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

by Carol Stack

If you are looking to beautify your home, few things will do it as cost effectively as a flower garden. Just think of it; the garden can be large or small, in one area or spread out, roses, tulips, daffodils or any other kinds of flowers you fancy.

Some people think you have to have the proverbial green thumb to have a beautiful flower garden. While this is true with some types of flowers, if you stick to the easy to grow varieties you can have a gorgeous garden in no time!

Visit your local nursery or check online to discover what flowers grow best in your area. You will want to choose flowers that blossom at various times of the year so that there is constantly some flowers blooming.

Before you begin to plant your flower garden, you will need to prepare the soil, which means getting it ready to receive the plants. This should be done whether you are planting bulbs, seeds or annuals.

You will want to select a spot that is near a water source so you will not have to carry a bucket to and from the flowers every day. Next, remove any weeds or rocks from your new garden. Using a shovel or tiller turn the soil over. This will let oxygen in and help promote healthy roots.

Next, add some slow release fertilizer, making sure to follow the directions. Turn the soil again and you are ready to start planting.

After you have gathered the necessary tools, it may be helpful to arrange the plants while they are still in their seedling containers so you know where you want them to go.

Now, remove the plants and gently loosen plants that are root-bound. You only want to put the plants as far down as the soil it is in now. In other words, do not get over zealous and bury it too deep or not deep enough. A good thing to keep in mind while planting is that the crown of the root ball should be level with the soil.

Now, place the plant into the hole you just dug. Then push down the plant and soil with the side of the trowel or with your hands. You want to make sure the plant is set, but do not manhandle it.

Water the plants right away, the plants will be thirsty. Using a low-pressure garden hose or a watering can, try to keep the water on the roots, not the leaves of the plants.

When planting, do so either in the early morning or later in the evening. This will help prevent the roots of the seedlings from drying out.

If you are going to start your plants from seeds, you will want to do so inside six to eight weeks before you plan on putting them outside.

Bulbs for flowers such as tulips and daffodils should be planted in the fall so they have time to rest over the winter and be ready to sprout in the spring.

With a little work and a little expense anyone can have a stunning flower garden to brighten up their yard. Nothing adds beauty to a yard or patio like some colorful flowers.

About the Author
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles. She lives with her husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United States. They have a large yard that they are constantly working on to make more beautiful. Her website, http://www.freegardentips.info covers lawn care, organic gardening, landscaping and more.

Try visit here Rose Garden Care...

A Rose Gardening Book Can Help You Choose The Right Rose Bushes For Your Garden

2006-11-03T01:43:00.000-08:00

By Tim Gorman

It doesn't matter whether you're just starting out with your rose garden, or whether you've been growing roses for years. There will be a rose gardening book that's just perfect for your needs. A rose gardening book can help you choose the right rose bushes for your garden, and give you ideas on how to care for them effectively. In return, your garden will flourish and produce magnificent roses year after year. So what exactly can you learn from a rose gardening book.

As a beginner, that question is much easier to answer. Preparing your garden properly before planting roses can make a huge difference to how well they thrive. There's also a lot of important ongoing maintenance that you need to do, to keep your rose garden in top condition. If you're looking for a "set and forget" type of garden, then don't bother planting roses. You need to regularly monitor and maintain your roses, otherwise you'll find they quickly become unhealthy and fail to bloom well. Although roses will probably survive and do all right without any attention, they will reward you a great deal more if you spend some time on them.

Even if you're more experienced with gardening in general, or roses in particular, you can gain a great deal from rose gardening books. New rose breeds are always being developed, and you can keep up to date with what's available in the new guides that are released. Also, caring for roses is a constantly changing field, with new techniques and ideas being developed and tested. Sometimes a book may contain just one new idea you've never heard before, but that one tip may make a big difference to the success of your rose garden. We can all do with a greener thumb!

Those who could be considered master rose gardeners can still find helpful information in rose gardening books. Any good expert knows that when you stop learning, you start to go backwards. Learning from other experts in the field is a great way to continually expand and enhance your own knowledge.

Rose gardening books are also a great way to choose the breed of rose you think would look perfect in your garden, or may even give you some clever ideas for designing your rose garden. Books are a fabulous way to find more information about rose gardening, and there's always something new that you can take away and apply in your own garden.

Fo rmore valuable rose gardening information to include tips for spring rose gardening, early autumn rose gardening, late autumn rose gardening, summer rose gardening and winter rose gardening please visit Rose-Gardening-Made-Easy.info.

Six Rose Diseases And How To Treat Them

2006-10-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

by Lee Dobbins

Roses are beautiful but can be a bit challenging to grow. There are many insects and diseases that can chip away at the health of your roses. He are six symptoms of disease in your roses and how to treat them.

1. Malformed young canes or canes that are stunted

this is a fungal disease which is called powdery mildew. It covers stems bods and leaves with a white powder that spreads in the breeze. The leaves will turn purple and curl. To treat this, spray with Benomyl or Funginex.

2. Black spots on leaves

Aptly named, this disease is usually referred to as black spot. These spots are circular and have fringed edges causing the leaves to yellow. To treat this you want to remove infected leaves and pick up any that have fallen around the plant. You can also buy artificial sprays to treat and prevent black spot.

3. Stunted or malformed flowers and leaves

Malformed leaves and flowers can be caused by spider mites. These little tiny mites can be green red or yellow and usually hang around on the underside of the leaves where they have a good old time sucking the juices. You can try applying Isotox or Orthene to help treat these little pests.

4. Blistered leaves

If you notice the underside of your roses leaves are blistered you may have the disease known as rust. Blisters are an orange red color in turn black in the fall. This disease can live throughout the winter and in spring when new sprouts formidable attack them. To treat this get rid of any leaves that are infected both on the plants and on the ground. Spray Funginex or Benomyl every seven to 10 days for treatment.

5. Flowers which are malformed or do not open

this is another problem with roses that can be caused by bugs called Thrips. These are fain brownish yellow bugs that have fringed wings and damage your plant by sucking the juices from the flower buds. To get rid of them you'll have to cut off the infested flowers. Malathion and Orthene may also be used to treat this problem.

6. Leaves that are weak and mottled or show tiny white webs underneath

Here you may have a problem with aphids. These tiny blogs can be green and brown or red and often hang around in clusters under the leaves and flower buds where they suck juices. Try spraying with diazinon or malathion in on to get rid of them.

If your roses to not have any of these pests or diseases but are still unhealthy looking you might want to look at the way you are fertilizing them. Roses are very hungry and do require fertilization. Talk to your local gardening store to find out what's best for your area.

About the Author

Lee Dobbins writes for http://gardening.subjectmonster.com where you can learn more about all types of gardening including indoor gardening, container gardening and organic gardening. Get gardening tips to help improve your gardens today!

Hot Rose Gardening Ideas - Tips and Tricks To Growing A Better Rose Garden

2006-10-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

By Tim Gorman

A lot of people love roses, and that's hardly surprising. When your rose bushes are thriving and covered in blooms, they look absolutely stunning. But if you're just starting out with a rose garden, it's not always easy to know how to arrange your garden to make it as attractive as possible. There are many difference factors that you need to take into consideration when planning your rose garden, including more than just what color the flowers will be.

Start by taking a look around at the various resources available to you. This can include rose gardening books, magazines, and websites on the Internet. Browsing can give you lots of good ideas, but here are a few to get your started.

First, how much space do you have available in your garden for roses? Once you know the space available, you will be able to work out how many rose bushes you need to plant. This is also dictated by the type of rose you choose, and some can be placed quite close together, whereas others, such as climbers, may need to be as much as twelve feet apart. If your rose garden area is small, it may be wise to choose miniature roses for the best effect. These are very attractive when they are planted closely together in a garden bed.

Next, think about colors. Do you have a favorite rose color? You might want to design your rose garden around that color there. Perhaps you want to create a pattern with different colored roses, or just find roses that will complement the color of your house. Many people find growing red and white roses alternately in a rose garden makes a pretty, patterned effect. If your house is a shade of peach, however, you might like to choose a mixture of peach and yellow roses instead.

Also, think about what plants you want to put around the base of your rose bushes. For part of the year roses are not particularly attractive and can even be a little bare, so it's good to have some other plants to fill in the gaps in the rose garden. Choose plants with flowers that blend well with your roses. They don't necessarily have to be the same color, just complementary. For example, a low growing purple flower would go well underneath a row of peach roses. Red blends well with pink or white filler plants.

Now that you've worked out exactly what effect you want in your rose garden, it's time to begin the preparation process.

For more helpful rose gardening tips to growing a beautiful rose garden be sure to visit Rose-Gardening-Made-Easy.info where you will find an abundance of information to include autumn, spring and summer rose gardening tips.

Tips For Rose Gardening In Early Spring

2006-09-25T02:37:00.000-07:00

by Beverly Kane

In case your home is in an area where spring arrives in late March or early April, you can easily take advantage of the "early spring" for your rose gardening endeavors. Of course, if late March or early April makes the skiers in your area to come out, then you better wait till the winter paves way for the spring and then follow the tips mentioned here.

For rose gardeners, early spring means time for hectic activity. This is the time when you expect those wonderful rose buds to appear. But you have to prepare the roses for the growing

season ahead. Here are some useful tips on how to:

Rose bushes could have been covered with dirt or such protective materials. The first thing you ought to do is to gently remove the protective coverings, so that the bushes can experience the warm sun and the occasional rain during this time.

Before you do any pruning to the bushes, make sure to remove all the dead canes, which could not take the winter. Clear the bush area of all debris, fallen leaves etc and clean the surroundings.

Next you should add some nutrients to the soil, like organic compounds. You can either buy packaged material from your garden supplier, or make it yourself by mixing composted manure or mushroom compost. You could also use the usual blends of meals consisting of alfalfa, cotton seed, fish or blood meal.

Since roses need a very well-drained soil, make sure that water does not remain stagnant under the bushes. If you notice that winter has made the soil compact, use a spade or any other tool to break the compacted soil.

Once you have prepared the soil, you can extend your gardening activities during this time. You can even plant your container-grown roses here.

The next activity is spraying the fungicide. You could also wait for two weeks after the pruning is complete. Opinions on the best time differ so take your pick as to the most convenient time for doing this.

You must keep rotating the fungicide. Using the same product can make the fungus develop immunity to that particular fungicide.

It is recommended not to use any pesticide, unless you notice some real damage to your plants. But remember aphids mean that spring is here. Watch out for them. You can use a sharp spray of water to wash them away or apply an insecticide in a mister to the damaged parts.

Just like when we wake up from a long slumber and feel ravenously hungry, roses are no different either! Feed them well during this season with nutrition to wake them up properly from the winter slumber and water them adequately after each feed.

So! your roses are ready to face the spring. But your work is not over yet. If spring is here, how far can summer be? continue reading our May/June article, to learn how to cope with the summer months.

About the Author
Beverly Kane is a staff writer at Home Garden Enthusiast and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including The Shopping Gazette.

Choosing roses for your landscape

2006-09-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

by Jenny Gill

Roses have long been a favorite among all types of gardeners, and roses continue to enjoy great popularity today. In addition to their beauty as cut flowers and in bouquets, roses are among the most useful and attractive flowers to grace the landscape of any home.

As a matter of fact, the exterior of any home can be made more graceful and more inviting through the use of wonderful landscape roses. Choosing the right ones, and ensuring that they compliment the overall style of the home, is very important to the overall success of the landscape.

Fortunately, the number of ornamental landscape roses makes finding them an easy task. The
difficulty consists of choosing the right ones from this variety. There are a number of classes of roses whose characteristics make them great for use as landscape ornamentals. For instance, the gardener who wants to grow roses up and over an archway or a trellis may want to use tall growing tea roses. Tea roses are renowned for their nodding blooms, therefore all who pass under the arch would be treated to the beautiful sight of roses in full bloom.

To accent a wall or other permanent structure, a true climbing rose is often the best choice. True climbing roses can be trained to many different effects, including climbing up the length of the structure, or accenting the tops and sides of a wall or building.

The Polyantha or modern day Floribunda rose is a great choice for gardeners looking for a vibrant splash of color for the background. These popular varieties of roses have large sprays of blooms, and they are popular choices for providing color in the landscape.

If roses are to be planted in front of other plants in the landscape, miniature or low growing China roses are a perfect choice. Roses can even be used as hedges, with modern Shrub roses and Rugosa roses being excellent choices.

Of course, as with any aspect of gardening, color is an important consideration. After all, every gardener's goal is a garden full of colorful, vibrant and healthy plants. Fortunately, roses come in so many shapes, sizes, textures and colors that there truly is a rose for every gardener.

The goal of choosing the best color roses for the landscape should be to compliment the color of the surrounding landscape. For instance, a spray of plain white tea roses can be striking against a dark red brick home, or an arrangement of pink roses can be the perfect compliment to a stone or marble entranceway. With so many colors of roses to choose from, it should be easy to find colors that compliment and enhance any decorating scheme.

One popular trend in the world of landscaping is to use a variety of different plants and flowers in the landscape. Whereas single species landscaping was in vogue a few years ago, most of today's gardeners like to use a mix of different colors, species and styles of plants. Doing so not only makes for a vibrant garden, but it is thought to enhance the health of the soil as well.

Fortunately, roses lend themselves well to this mixture, and roses can be a beautiful part of an overall landscape of plants and flowers. In addition, there are roses suitable for a variety of climates. Choosing the best rose varieties for your specific climate should mean fewer pesticides, few disease issues and an overall healthier garden.

Author: Jenny Gill is an international author with vast experience in a diverse range of subjects, for more information visit www.flowergardensyte.com

About the Author
Jenny Gill is an international author with an immense range of knowledge and skills in a wide range of areas. Jenny is a mother and a grandmother and devotes a lot of her time supporting the aged in her community.

Miniature Roses

2006-09-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

By Jacqueline Carroll

Don't let the delicate appearance fool you! These little gems are hardy enough to grow outdoors in zones 6-10 without winter protection, and with a good cover of mulch they will survive winters as far north as zone 4. Miniature roses are surprisingly easy to grow, and they look great as edgings for your beds or borders, accent plants for rock gardens, and as houseplants.

Miniature roses range in size from the micro-minis which grow to about five inches, up to a height four feet or more. The flowers are from 1/2 inch to two inches in diameter, and the range of colors is similar to that of full-sized roses. Most types will bloom from spring until frost. Unfortunately, miniature roses have little or no fragrance.

When grown indoors as pot plants, miniature roses need a little special care. Even when grown in the sunniest window, they will usually need supplemental light. You will know your rose isn't getting enough light when the stems seem to stretch out leaving wide spaces between the leaves.

Miniature roses also need lots of humidity if kept indoors. Set your pot in a tray of pebbles and water. The pebbles will support the pot above the water level so the soil doesn't become waterlogged. As it evaporates, the water will provide the plant with extra humidity. If you house is very dry, run a cool-mist vaporizer now and then.

Spider mites and whiteflies are drawn to indoor miniature roses. To reduce the chances of these pests attacking your plants, give them a weekly shower. Take care to thoroughly rinse both the tops and the undersides of the leaves. To treat whiteflies, use an insecticidal soap at five day intervals or spray with a solution of four parts water to three parts rubbing alcohol -- add a squirt of dish soap for good measure -- and keep the plant out of the light until the alcohol dries completely.

Soap spray and alcohol spray also work for spider mites, and you might also try buttermilk spray: mix 1/2 cup buttermilk with 4 cups wheat flour to 5 gallons of water. Quarantine infested plants until you are sure that the insects are irradiated. In extreme cases, you can strip the leaves off the plant and cut it back by half. Don't worry, you won't kill it, and you'll soon see signs of new growth.

For the best blooms, use a fertilizer that is high in potassium. The last number in the N-P-K ratio indicates the amount of potassium, and an N-P-K ratio of 5-5-10 is a good choice. Mix the fertilizer to about 1/4 strength and use it once a week.

After your roses spend a season indoors, it's best to plant them outdoors and get new, disease and pest-free plants to use indoors. They can be planted directly in the garden or kept in containers, but remember that outdoor plants in small containers can dry out quickly. Harden them off before placing them outdoors permanently.

Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet destination for gardeners, and GardenGuidesKids.com. http://www.gardenguides.com http://www.gardenguideskids.com
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The Key To Rose Gardening

2006-09-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

by Robert Singleton

Roses are universally favorite plants. The bright vibrant hues give gardens a splash of color. You can smell the heady perfume of roses during summer as they fill the air. With so many different varieties to choose from rose gardening is a marvelous experience.

While it's true that there many roses that you can choose from, the type is not important. What is important is that you plant them where you can reap the benefits later on. Roses are hardy plants. With so many gardeners breeding new hardy varieties, roses can now grow in any type of condition. Difficult soil and garden problems are no longer a barrier to well grown rose gardens.

The key to rose gardening lies in buying plants that are at least two years old, that have been field grown and are budded. If your young rose plants are pruned then the heavy stems need to be 1/4 inches in diameter at the top. On the other hand if the rose plant is not pruned, then there should be three or more heavy stems that are 18 inches in diameter.

You need to plant your roses in a sunny, well-drained spot. You should trim of all the bruised and broken stems off. In rose gardening roses needed to be eased into the ground. You first dig a hole 6 inches deeper than the rose roots need, then make the hole wide and big all around so that the roots will not grow crowded or bent.

The bottom of the hole should have small rocks or pebbles in it. This rock formation will aid in the drainage for the roses. After the stones have been placed, mix one tablespoon of fertilizer over the stones. Above this lay good fertile soil until the level is where you will plant your rose plant. In the mound of soil make a small hole and carefully plant your rose bush in there. You will need to make sure that the hole has room for the roots. Then cover the roots with soil, firming the soil every so often.

Rose gardening requires that you feed your roses at regular intervals to ensure healthy growth. The first feeding should therefore be given in early spring, before the roses bloom. The second feeding will come after the first heavy blossoming is finished. The third feeding occurs in late summer. If you are lucky there might be roses that will bloom until about November. If this is the case, then feed your plants a fourth time around.

While all this care does help in rose gardening, chemical pesticides are needed to prevent sucking and chewing insects from damaging your roses. This pesticide also works to cut down on the fungus that likes to grow on roses.

Rose gardening is a lovely pleasant smelling hobby to do. If you take care of your plant during the initial days, then you will be rewarded with big, vibrant blossoms that are a joy to behold.

About the Author
Robert Singleton Author of "Rose Gardening" and online business owner. Find more information in "The Gardener's Handbook" at: http://www.supremeuptime.com/Gardening/index.htm

Rose Classification

2006-09-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

by Angie Noack

Although there is no one set of "official" classification system of roses, there are many different popular rose classification schemes that are employed throughout the world. The most popular of the systems in use has been proposed by The American Rose Society in cooperation with the World Federation of Roses. Although this classification system is not the only one in use, a large majority of internationally established societies have adopted this scheme for classifying roses.

According to the American Rose Society, there are three main groupings of roses: the Species; Old Garden Roses; and Modern Roses. Species Roses, the origin of every other rose class, are commonly referred to as "wild roses." These "wild roses" are easy to identify, as they normally have five petals, are once-blooming, and are generally thorny shrubs or climbers. Several popular Species Roses include: Cherokee Roses, Dog Roses, Gallic Roses, French Roses, and Redleaf Roses. Species Roses can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, as they flourish in temperate climates.

Unlike Species Roses, which existed millions of years before man walked the earth, Old Garden Roses are identified as a major class of roses recognized before 1867.

Most Old Garden Roses bloom once per season, usually at the arrival of summer. Old Garden Roses occur in a variety of shrub and vine sizes. Although colors vary, Old Garden Roses are typically white or pastel in color. These "antique roses" are generally preferred for lawns and home gardening because they are easy to care for. Several groupings of roses are classified as Old Garden Roses including: China, Tea, Moss, Damask, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual and Noisette roses. Many "antique roses" have a strong sweet scent, which makes them very desirable.

Old Garden Roses are the predecessors of Modern Roses. Any rose which has been identified post 1867 is considered a Modern Rose. This group of roses are very popular. The Modern Rose is the result of cross breeding the hybrid tea with the polyanthus. The colors of a Modern Rose are lovely, rich and vibrant. Most of the roses found in this class flower repeatedly when cared for properly. Perhaps that is why horticulturists find this class so attractive. The most popular roses found in the class of Modern Roses are the hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora. Although Modern Roses are adored by florists and gardeners, they do not adapt well to colder environments.

After a rose has been classified according to the three main groupings, a rose can then be further classified by color, scent, growth habit, ancestry, date of introduction, blooming characteristics and size. It is very difficult for horticulturists to classify every rose, especially the hybrid roses which often seem like a grouping of their own. While there has been much debate on classifying roses, the American Rose Society appears to have the most functional system for these stages of classification. Perhaps this is why the American Rose Society's classification system has been adopted by so many rosarians the world over.

About the Author
Angie Noack is a home and garden strategist with a sharp edge for technology. With her unique ability to combine these two skills, she's able to help gardeners save time and increase productivity. You can find her online at http://www.ranchrose.com.

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Top United States rose gardens

2006-09-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

by JillianScheeler

Top rose gardens to visit in the United States

Take a day trip to a rose garden

Roses have always been valued for their stunning beauty and intoxicating scent. They also have a long history of symbolism and meaning and are ancient symbols of beauty and love. In fact the rose was sacred to several goddesses such as Aphrodite and is commonly used as a symbol for the Virgin Mary. The rose also is the national flower for both England and the United States.
Many of the below listed rose gardens are only a day trip away and the majority of them are public rose gardens which are free to the public. So, take time to stop and smell the roses and visit one of these beautiful rose gardens located around the world.International Rose Test

Garden Washington Park
Portland, Oregon
Portland is known as the "Rose City" and has several public rose gardens; however, the International Rose Test Garden in Portland is the most well-known. It was founded in 1917 and is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.

Rose Garden in Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle, Washington
The Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden was planted originally to provide a free, public display of roses. Currently, the garden houses 280 rose varieties.

Lyndale Park Rose Garden
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Located in Minneapolis, the Lyndale Park Rose Garden is the second oldest public rose garden in the U.S. With over 3,000 roses of 250 varieties, the layout of the garden has not been changed since it was planted by Theodore Wirth in 1908.

McKinley Park Rose Garden
Sacramento, California
A popular setting for weddings and day trips, this Sacramento Rose Garden is home to over 1,200 roses of all different varieties. The garden is free to the public during daylight hours.

The Centennial Rose Garden, Schmidt Mansion
Tumwater, Washington
Planted on the grounds of the Schmidt Mansion, the Centennial Rose Garden is maintained by the Olympia Rose Society for the enjoyment of the public. The garden was designed to display a plethora of rose varieties and within historical context. The garden documents the development of roses from ancient times to present day.

Elizabeth Park Rose Garden
Hartford, Connecticut
The Elizabeth Park Rose Garden is the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country. With over 800 rose varieties which amounts to 15,000 plants total, this rose garden packs a lot in on two and a half acres.

Mesa Community College Rose Garden
Mesa, Arizona
This Mesa, Arizona rose garden is a unique and important part of the city's community. The garden serves as an iatrical part of education, allowing students from kindergarten through high school and community college and universities use the gardens as botanical laboratories and study areas.

Chicago Botanic GardensGlencoe, Illinios - north of
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Botanic Gardens is home to 26 distinct gardens, one of them being a beautiful rose garden that houses 5,000 colorful rose bushes.

The John E. Voight Trial Garden
Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Part of the Boerner Botanical Gardens, the Voight Trial Garden was opened in 1939 and was traditionally designed with gravel walks around the garden and grass walks through the rose beds. The garden also follows the traditional European design with two circular pools and a rectangular pool filled with water lilies and other plant life on the grounds.

Tyler Rose Garden
Tyler, Texas
As part of a 14 acre park, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the nations largest rose garden and admission to the park is free seven days a week from dawn to dusk. This breathtaking rose garden is also host to the annual Texas Rose Festival held in mid-October.

Jillian Scheeler makes it easy to provide a list of top rose gardens in united states. visit the top ten rose gardens of United States. To recieve free part mini-course visit the United States Rose Gardens Website.

About the Author
Jillian Scheeler is a spontaneous road-tripper and avid writer working on assignment for TravelPost.com - The Premier Source for Unbiased Hotel Reviews and Ratings. This article can be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active.

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How To Reap Robust Roses

2006-09-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

by Daniel van Starrenburg

Though there are approximately 5,000 different cultivars of roses, all of them can be grouped into two main classes: bush and climbing. When deciding which type to plant, carefully consider the characteristics of both the class and variety so that you will achieve the look or function which best suits your needs.

Climbers Are A Clever Way To Cover
If you wish to beautifully cover a wall or fence, or start a trellis, climbing roses are optimal since they will grow anywhere from eight to ten feet high. A large flowered climber such as the Rosa "Don Juan" is a good choice as its large (four to five inch wide) double, dark red, fragrant flowers cover a large area and bloom from mid season through the fall. Keep in mind that these large flowered climbers need light annual pruning of unruly canes to keep them in bounds. Although their flowers are smaller (approximately two inches across), Rambler roses grow so quickly that some may develop twenty-foot canes in a single growing season!

Bush Roses Create Beautiful Borders & Boundaries
Small, bushy varieties such as the Floridbunda or Polyantha, can create a lovely hedge because most varieties will spread up to two feet wide. You may also try planting Rosa "The Fairy" or Rosa "Iceberg"; they grow two and four feet high respectively, are disease resistant and rebloom throughout the season.

Other Variations
Miniature roses are frequently used in rock gardens or as borders and edgings around other shrubs, along walkways or patios. Since they typically only grow to be 6-18 inches tall, they are excellent choices for containers and for indoor light gardens. Best of all, they only need a six-inch square area of soil to grow in.

Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras are most popularly used for cutting arrangements because they bloom all season, are disease resistant and feature elegant, long stemmed blossoms. They are also the most common species of roses given as an expression of care and love.

Shrub roses are optimal for those who want to enjoy roses without providing much tender loving care. They are known for their vigor and adaptability, and exhibit a vibrant, healthy foliage. Rosa "Carefree Beauty" is an appropriately named example, which grows to a height of four feet and features fragrant, medium pink flowers. Rosa "Harrison's Yellow" is another good choice, featuring small delicate deep yellow blossoms and is known as an old favorite of the rose species. New varieties of roses are introduced by plant breeders each year with improved cutting qualities, color, fragrance and other characteristics.

About the Author
SavATree provides environmentally sensible tree service and lawn care to homeowners as well as residential, commercial, institutional, government and historic properties in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Industry certified arborists with expertise in tree care and lawn service.

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6 Most Common Dangers to Roses and Their Fix

2006-08-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

by James Ellison

Most individuals could not defy a rose's beauty and aroma. These flowers are considered a bit hard to grow, but anybody can begin rose gardening in the convenience of their own backyard.
To be sure that your most treasured roses are in the pink or even red of their health, just follow these tips on coping with every rose health perplexity:

1. Black Spots on Foliage

This disease is usually known as black spot. Black spots occur as circular with fringed edges on leaves. They make the leaves yellow. The answer is to get rid of the infected foliage and collect any fallen leaves around the rose. Artificial sprays may be used to stop or treat this type of rose disease.

2. Stunted or distorted young canes

Called powdery mildew, this is a fungal disease that blankets leaves, stems and buds with wind swept white powder. It causes the leaves to roll and become purple. Spray with an organic antifungal to treat this fungal disease that could destroy your rose garden.

3. Injured underside of leaves

A disease of roses called rust is characterized with orange-red blisters that turn black in the fall. In spring, it blisters new sprouts. This disease can even live through winter. What you can do is to pick up and toss away leaves that are infected in the fall. Organic anti-fungal spraying every 5 to 7 days may help.

4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers

What probably caused this is the occurrence of spider mites. They are small yellow, red or green spiders on the underside of the foliage. They suck juices from leaves. The application of a strong stream of water may help in treating this infestation.

5. Weak and blotched leaves with tiny white webs under them

This might be the work of aphids. They are tiny soft-bodied insects that are normally brown, green or red. sometimes clumped under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from the delicate buds. a strong stream of water from a garden hose may help roses to endure these bugs.

6. Flowers that don't open or are distorted when they open.

Thrips could be the cause behind this distortion and unopened flowers. It is defined with slender, brown-yellow bugs with bordered wings flourishing in flower buds. These bugs also suck juices from flower buds. You should cut and get rid of the infested flowers. Using neem oil spray may also treat this problem of your roses.

This important information concerning the diseases your roses are inclined to have will prove to be very helpful in making your rose gardening effort more rewarding.

About the Author
Jim's articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of roses by visiting: Rose Garden

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Rugosa Roses - Fragrant, Tough and Handsome Shrub Roses

2006-08-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

By Alan Summers

Rugosa Roses are some of the toughest and most handsome shrub roses available. They are fragrant, black spot and mildew resistant and are vigorous growers - blooming recurrently throughout the season. Rugosa Roses can be distinguished from other roses by their tough, textured, deeply veined foliage and erect spiny stems. In contrast to their foliage, the blooms of the Rugosa Roses appears very fragile, almost like silk that has been crinkled.

Rugosas prefer light, sandy soil in full sun to partial shade, making them especially suited for seashore planting. Rugosa Roses tolerate both salt and drought. Rugosas require no spraying for disease and little fertilization. Unlike other roses, deer never touch Rugosas. In autumn Rugosas have beautiful, orange-red hips, rich in vitamin C, which attract wildlife and are useful for jelly. Rugosa Roses are ideal for hedges and planted in masses for erosion control, especially in sand dunes.

Originally from China, Japan and Korea, Rugosa Roses come in a variety of sizes and colors - white, several shades of pink and red to almost purple. This week we are featuring the most disease resistant Rugosa of them all - a rose with single, pastel pink blooms on a neat compact plant - Fru Dagmar Hastrup.

Fru Dagmar Hastrup - The Most Sought After Rugosa Rose

Created in Denmark in 1914, Fru Dagmar Hastrup is loved for its abundance of cherry red hips in the fall and its elegant pink blooms that emit a sweet clove-like fragrance. Its blooms will reach two to three inches across and repeat exceptionally well throughout the season and it has the unusual ability to display hips and blooms concurrently. The rich, green foliage will turn maroon and then gold in the fall. Fru Dagmar will reach only four feet tall and wide. A lovely addition to any garden.

Planting and Care

For best results plant in spring or fall.

Prefers a light, sandy soil in full sun to partial shade. Remarkably tolerant of shade and heavy clay soil.

Fertilize with Rose-Tone.

Deer resistant.

Hardy in Zones 3-9. Click here to learn more about Rugosa Roses on the Carroll Gardens website.

Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America’s preeminent nurseries, having introduced more than 20 new perennials and woody shrubs over the years and reintroduced numerous “lost” cultivars back to American gardeners.

Carroll Gardens publishes a weekly online newsletter written by Alan. It contains valuable gardening advice and tips and answers to customer questions.

Every Saturday, Alan hosts a call-in gardening forum on WCBM radio - 680 AM. For those outside of the WCBM listening area, they can listen to radio show via the internet.

Visit CarrollGardens.com to learn more about Carroll Gardens, the weekly newsletter and the radio show.

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Choosing the Right Roses

2006-08-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

By Steve Welker

There are an extremely large number of rose varieties available at this time, most of these varieties are suitable to raise in your home garden. With so many different types to choose from deciding which roses to grow can seem more like a difficult task than a part of the fun of growing roses. By keeping just a few important factors in mind you can simplify this task and put the fun back into selecting your roses.

Color

How will a particular color of rose look in your garden, be sure to look at other peoples gardens and in magazines to see how different color arrangements work together. For some people the color of the roses will not be a very important consideration for others it will be one of the most important. Either way you will need to be sure that the color will complement the other colors in your garden and not clash with what you already have in place.

Size

Size will also be an important factor, how will the roses look in your garden once they have grown to their full height. Can your garden aesthetically support twenty-foot roses or will you need to stick with a species that only grows to about eight feet high. You will need to measure your garden before you start looking for roses. You will need to know the width and height of your garden to aid in selecting the proper roses. Your roses will need adequate room to grow and will need enough exposure to sunlight and air to thrive. If you have limited space you might want to consider growing miniature roses instead. Miniature roses require much less space and our easy to care for and maintain.

Climate

While characteristics that deal with the visual appeal of roses like the height and color are important the most important considerations are the ones that deal with how well the roses will be able to thrive. The climate that the rose needs for proper growth is one of these, if the climate the rose needs does not match with your local climate these roses will never grow very well. For example if you live in an area that has long cold winters you will need to select varieties of roses that can tolerate cold weather.

Maintenance

How much time do you want to spend maintaining your roses? Do you live in your garden or are you a busy individual that only has small amounts of time to devote to their garden. Some roses require very high levels of maintenance, while these roses are quiet beautiful and would be a stunning addition to any garden you have to have the time and dedication to make them thrive. If you select a high maintenance rose and do not devote the necessary time to them you will be very disappointed with the results. There are roses on the market today known as "Modern Roses"; these are beautiful plants with a great fragrance and long lasting blooms. However they are also prone to disease and very high maintenance.

On the other hand you have "Old Garden Roses" these plants may not be quite as beautiful as the modern roses but they have been specially bred to be very disease prune and to only require minimal maintenance and care. They usually bloom for several months at a time and also have a very strong and pleasant scent. This strong scent can cause problems for people with allergies to fragrances. If that could be an issue for you should consider "shrub roses", these are also long blooming plants with a strong resistance to disease without the strong fragrance.

If this is your first time attempting to raise roses you might want to consider "landscape roses", they are very easy to care for and disease resistant. Landscape roses will add a great deal of beauty to any garden. If you have trellises around your home you might want to consider one of the varieties of climbing roses. These are very similar to landscape roses except that they grow upward like a vine.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Growing Roses at http://www.rose-gardening.us

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Dramatically Change Your Garden with a Climbing Rose

2006-08-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

by Alan Summers

William Baffin

There is no investment, for less money, that will so dramatically change the appearance of a garden or landscape than a properly placed climbing rose. You can probably recall any number of beautiful magazine images of sunny, rose-covered arbors or a rose-covered lattice framing at a home's front door. Climbing roses are extremely versatile garden performers. You can choose to let them artfully climb vertical structures, leisurely tumble over a picket fence or carefully train them on horizontal fence rails to create a narrow hedge. This week we are featuring a climbing rose - William Baffin - the most reliable of all the medium to deep pink climbers.

William Baffin, a Canadian developed variety that is just about the best of the renowned Explorer series of roses, has been proven in thousands of gardens over many seasons for its colorful reblooming, low maintenance requirements, excellent disease resistance, unusual cold hardiness and salt tolerance. You will be rewarded with big color from clusters of up to 30, double, strawberry-pink 2 1/2 inch blooms that are moderately fragrant. Clusters of small orangeed hips follow in the autumn and remain into winter, until relished by the local bird population. Beautiful, glossy, green foliage that is totally resistant to diseases, acts as a backdrop for the blooms. William Baffin matures at 10-15 feet, making it ideal for a trellis or arbor. Although bred in Ontario Canada, William Baffin performs equally well as far south as Florida.

Planting and Care

For best results plant in the fall or spring. Fall planting works particularly well with William Baffin.
Plant in full sun for best blooms, but will tolerate partial shade.
Plant in well-drained, compost enriched soil.
Mulch well the first winter.
Pruning and shaping, when necessary, should be accomplished after the initial spring bloom.
Fertilize with Rose-Tone monthly from early spring until late summer.
Hardy in Zones 4-9.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/roses/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=420-08-12584" to view William Baffin Climbing Rose on the Carroll Gardens website.

About the Author
Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America's preeminent nurseries.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/emailsignup.asp to sign up for the Carroll Gardens weekly enewsletter.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/ to learn more.

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Spring Rose Care - The Easy Way

2006-08-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

by Alan Summers

Spring rose care will help get your roses off to a more enjoyable blooming season. Modern roses are the longest blooming of all shrubs. Many varieties start flowering in mid-late spring, with recurrent bloom cycles through late fall. Unless you are looking to grow absolutely perfect blossoms for competitive exhibition, roses actually require much less work than you may usually read about. Carefully chosen varieties of shrub roses will - with no summer spraying - yield a full season's bounty of blooms.

Spring Rose Care - Timing
Spring rose care should be accomplished after winterkill (if any) has become apparent, but before the new leaves unfurl. There are several ways to figure this. I've found it is most successful to work on the roses just as the Forsythia starts to bloom, rather than slavishly following the calendar.

Spring Rose Care - Feeding
If you hilled-up your roses with mulch last fall, the first thing you need to do is to tear down the mulch mounds and spread it around the roses so that the total mulch depth never exceeds 1 ½ inches. If you have more, remove the top layer. The first spring rose care fertilization consists of four different products, a handful of each should be sprinkled around the plant in a circle, about 12-18 inches out from the stem: Espoma Rose-Tone®, Espoma Kelp Meal®, Espoma Epson Plus and Greensand (Five additional feedings, a month apart, consist of just one handful of Rose-Tone®--nothing else Never feed after September 1st; late feeding encourages late emergence of tender growth, which will be winterkilled). Use 1/3 to 1/2 as much of all products, at all times, on miniature roses.

Spring Rose Care - Pruning
Pruning is usually considered to be the most time-consuming of all rose care tasks. Recently, a research study compared 2 beds of the same Floribunda roses. One bed was hand pruned by skilled rose growers. The other was pruned with a combination of a power hedge trimmer and a lawn mower raised up on huge wheels. Throughout the season, the two groups were compared for flower production. Guess which plot did the best. Hint: it wasn't the hand pruned plot. Carefully chosen roses are much tougher and more forgiving then most people realize. At any rate, spring rose care pruning is not difficult if you keep the following points in mind:

You will need five good tools: sharp by-pass pruners, by-pass loppers, small pruning saw, elbow length (gauntlet) leather or rubber/plastic impregnated gloves, and safety goggles.
Over-pruning roses in spring tends to weaken the plant. Never prune away more than one-third of the live growth.
On all roses, remove diseased, dead and broken canes. A cane that has blackened from winterkill, or suffered physical damage, should be shortened to an inch below the offending section.
Where possible, cut on a 45 degree angle.
Once-blooming (as opposed to recurrent-blooming) roses require no further pruning in the spring. These are primarily antique roses and old-fashioned ramblers. Do whatever additional pruning necessary after blooming in early July.
Reduce hybrid tea roses to 4-5 vigorous canes not shorter than 30 inches. Grandifloras should be reduced to 5-6 canes not shorter than 36 inches. Reduce floribundas to 7 to 8 canes not shorter than 24 inches. In general, try to achieve a vase-shaped plant for most roses in these categories.
Especially on hybrid teas and grandifloras, cut 1/4 inch above an outward facing bud. Cut so the 45 degree angle allows water to drain away from, rather than into the bud.
Mini roses, shrub roses, rugosa roses and repeat blooming antique roses just need a haircut, trimming them to size.
Treat English roses and romantica roses as grandifloras.
Trim modern climbing roses and pillar roses to shape. Aged canes should be removed, as should those that grow away from the support or criss-cross awkwardly. Massive rejuvenation pruning is best postponed until early July and done, if at all, every 3 to 5 years.
To prevent cane borer, put a dab of Nubark™ Rose Stick on the cut wound of any cut branch greater than pencil thickness.
To discourage diseases and insects, rake up and discard all pruned material, including leaves, with the trash.

Spring Rose Care - Spraying
On roses that have been troubled by fungus diseases a spray of lime sulphur during spring rose care will kill the over-wintered spores of blackspot and mildew. Mixing the lime sulphur with horticultural oil will control a broader range of pests. To achieve full effectiveness from the oil, this spray must be applied on a day when it is not going to freeze the following night. Spray the roses to the dripping point and spray all the surrounding mulch. This spray must be applied when the roses are still dormant--before they start to leaf out. During the next few days, top dress with enough mulch so that total coverage is 2 to 2 ½ inches. As roses leaf out, occasionally they are troubled by green aphids on the tips. These are easily controlled with insecticidal soap.
About the Author

Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America's preeminent nurseries.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/emailsignup.asp to sign up for the Carroll Gardens weekly enewsletter.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/ to learn more.

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Tools For Gardening Roses

2006-08-01T02:52:00.000-07:00

By Kim Beck

Roses unlike many flowers require more attention and care to insure that your roses are the most beautiful they can be. They also require you have some basic tools that will make your gardening of roses easier. Here is a list of the tools you should have on hand.

Pruners - Pruners are used almost on a daily basis. Actually there are two types of pruners, the "anvil pruner" and the "bypass pruner". I would recommend always using the bypass pruners, this type will not crush the canes and stems of the roses. As your roses age you will find a need to remove or cut back old thick canes. These can be thick and will require you have a pair of "Loppers".

Gloves - You will be thankful from day one that you invested in a good pair of leather work gloves, if you can find them get the kind that have the fold-down cuffs. The cloth gloves for basic gardening have their place but it's not in the rose garden.
Shovels - Shovels that are lightweight, with fiberglass throats and strong handles that are padded are great choices. Here's were spending the extra dollars will save you in blisters and dollars over the long haul.

Wheelbarrow - This may seam like such a simple thing but so many people are tempted to purchase those fancy gardening carts that "do it all" in the garden but believe me when I tell you there is no substitute for a good old fashion wheelbarrow. They will haul everything in and out of your rose garden you come across.

Kneeling Pads - There is no getting around this, if you garden you are going to be on your knees. There are some choices here, the standard knee pads work fine for most and when you move to a new spot they move with you. The kneeling pads for gardening come in several sizes and are quiet comfy on the knees. There are also kneeling pads that come on short kneeling blocks with handles. With so many choices your sure to find the right one for you.

Rakes - There are basically tow types you will want to have, a garden rake and a leaf rake. The garden rake have steel tines and are used for leveling and smoothing the garden bed. Leaf rakes are need to remove leaves and debris from the garden, I recommend having two sizes here the regular size leaf rake and the smaller head leaf rake for getting those tight places.

Watering Wands - One of the first things you will want your watering wand to have is brass fittings instead of plastic, they will last you alot longer than the small increase in cost. If you can find a wand that has a shut off valve on the wand itself you find this to be very convenient. Watering wands are great for really giving your roses a good root soaking. If you have roses growing in containers then a watering wand is just what is needed.

Gardening Fork - This is a must have for the avid rose gardener. Be sure to choose a quality one with steel forks and a padded sturdy handle, this will make turning and loosening the ground around the base of your roses much easier.

Having all these tools will make your love for gardening roses much easier and enjoyable. You will enjoy years of beautiful roses.

Kim writes for Gardening Tips For Roses. Find all the tips, advice, resources and information for gardening roses all in one spot. Visit http://www.gardeningtipsroses.com/

Rosa glauca (rubrifolia)

2006-07-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

A Rose with Handsome Foliage that Grows Well in the Shade.

From the mountains of central and southern Europe comes an exceptional rose - the Rosa glauca, also known as rubrifolia. Introduced into England around 1830, this species rose is known for its unique and stunning foliage and small rosehips that remain through the winter--unlike most roses, which are known only for their blooms. The foliage is dusty mauve in the sun and grayish mauve in the shade - especially beautiful in cut arrangements. And it's almost thornless too! With mauve canes to enhance to the beauty of this shrub rose, you can add a unique interest to your garden, especially in winter.

Rosa glauca's beautiful blooms are a match with the foliage. The single, one-inch, star-shaped blossoms are dark pink with white centers and gold stamens in early summer. They are followed by small oval, orange-red hips in autumn.

This upright shrub arches when its branches become loaded with flowers and can be used almost anywhere on your landscape. Its branches can reach up to ten feet tall - let them arch or take advantage of the long stems and train it as a climbing rose.

Rosa glauca will bloom on both old and new wood, so prune only when it has finished flowering for the season. This is a beautiful, easy to care for shrub that will bring you joy all year long, whether outdoors or as part of an intriguing flower arrangement.

Shade-tolerant shrubs with foliage in hues of grey are very scarce indeed, as are shade tolerant shrubs that bloom pink in the summer. Rosa glauca has not only the foliage color, but also a graceful habit that adds informal charm to the shade garden.

Planting and Care

Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to moderate shade
Fertilize with Rose-Tone at planting and feed once a month during growing season
Prune immediately after flowering.
Hardy in zones 2-9
Very resistant to black spot and mildew.

About the Author
Alan Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over 30 years experience in gardening and landscape design. He has made Carroll Gardens one of America's preeminent nurseries.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/emailsignup.asp to sign up for the Carroll Gardens weekly enewsletter.

Visit http://www.carrollgardens.com/ to learn more.

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Plant a Rose Bush in your Garden

2006-07-12T03:23:00.000-07:00

by Completely Free Catalogs

Now that summer is here and upon us many people start thinking about what garden project they will work on this year. Whether you are creating a new garden or adding to your existing garden and spicing it up a bit. Why not plant a rose bush in your garden? It is not as hard as some may think and they are beautiful, who doesn't love roses?!

There are thousands of rose types to choose from and the choices can be overwhelming. Most importantly pick a rose bush that will do well in your climate. You can visit a local nursery to see their selection and you can also ask questions. Your local nursery is a great resource for learning about roses, plants and more - use it! If your neighbor has a rose bush that you have been admiring, don't be shy ask them what type of bush it is. Some rose bushes will need more maintaining then others so be sure and ask as many questions as you can so you know what you are in for when you start.

After you have picked the right rose bush next you will have to figure out where in your garden you will be planting it. Be sure and pick a good location. Ideally you should have your plans laid out prior to purchasing your rose bush. Choose a spot that will allow for six hours of sun light each day, where air circulates and the soil receives good drainage. These are the most important factors when planting your new rose bush.

Most bare-root rose bushes are planted during late winter. If you purchase your roses in a container you can plan to plant them in the early spring. You should avoid planting roses during the summer. The hot weather can stress your new rose plant which will prohibit it from growing. If you still decide to plant your rose bush during the summer, you can expect to water it every day usually.

And there you have it, the basics for planting a rose bush in your garden. Take time and pick the right rose bush for you and make sure you have a location that will meet the needs of your new rose bush. Happy gardening!

About the Author
Get inspired this summer with free garden catalogs. We have hundreds of free catalogs and magazine offers available on all topics.

Yellow, Red or Pink Rose Gardening?

2006-07-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

by ken sharp

Roses are truly beautiful flowers. They are so complicated and delicate and will definitely give notice to your rose garden. But which color theme do you go with this year? Red, yellow or pink? How about white? Hmmmm...Something to think about. You dont want to rush into things here.

You want your garden to be something special and show everybody that you spent a lot of time and hard work on it.

First plan, plan, plan!

Then when you found your theme, as you are buying the roses for your garden, think about these tips...

First choose the right potting soil for your rose garden. Your rose garden should have at least 1.5 feet of fresh and fertile potting soil. Make sure your soil is very ventilated and drains easily. Where you put your flowerbed is also important. Your rose garden should get anywhere from 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day.

Mulching is good for roses. It keeps the rain water from caking up the top soil and also controls a weed problem. Since roses need water once a week, the mulching will help with any rain that may come in between watering sessions. Roses will need one inch of water per week and you should water them once every week in one session, opposed to watering them throughout the week.

Different kinds of roses have different meanings to people. Here are a few for you to consider when building your rose garden...

Two entertwines roses means that a wedding or an engagement is in the future of some lucky couple. A single red rose means I love you. Two dozen roses means congradulations. For dozen roses means unconditional love. A single rose, regardless of color, means thank you. One dozen roses is meant for graditude. Yellow and white roses means harmony. Red and white roses means bonding. Red and yellow roses means happy celebration. Yellow roses are for friendship. White roses means I miss you. Pink roses means thank you.

Roses require light pruning. To prune your roses, you will need to remove any old stems and leaves. This will enable the sap to reach any new stems and leaves that will need it.

When buying roses, they will come in to formats. Either packaged or plain rooted. You should buy the plain rooted ones right before you plan to plant them, because they cannot last long outside of soil. The best time to plant roses is after winter, after the ground is thawed-Right after winter for southern states or somewhere during spring in the northern states.

So when you are planning your rose garden, remember these simple tips and have fun building your garden!

About the Author
For more information on roses and rose gardens, please go to:
http://containergardening.awardspace.com/roses.html

Rose Gardening: Water, Sun and Shade.

2006-07-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

by Derek Gardner

My rose is not blooming? The rose is not getting enough sun. Roses need a minimum 6 hours of direct sun a day to do well. The rose plant needs more water. Roses like as a minimum 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. The rose has been given too much fertilizer especially Nitrogen. Too much fertilizer can either damage the rose or cause it to grow additional leaves and stems at the expense of blooms. The rose is a new plant. Do not expect too much from a plant during its first year. Rose is a once blooming variety. This means it will bloom once a year in the late spring or early summer. Soil pH is too low or too high. If the pH is not within the range of 6.0 to 6.8 then nutrient uptake will be less, and the plant won't be getting the food it must have to produce flowers. Not enough foliage. If the bush does not have enough foliage, it can not make the food it needs to make new flowers. Inadequate foliage can be result from disease or too little fertilizer.

How much water do roses need? Roses welcome lots of water. Water kindly, at least 1 inch/week, if possible 2 inches/week during growing season. You should water every 4-7 days during the summer. A rose bush needs about 4-5 gallons/week during the hot summer. Roses get their food either through the leaves (foliar feeding) or through the roots. The only medium for transporting food is water. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent light watering. This will help to promote a deep root system. Deep root systems help the rose to survive droughts and winter freezes. Light and frequent watering causes roots to form very near the soil surface, and that is not good. When watering late in the day, you should try to avoid getting the leaves wet, because it promotes disease. But on a hot day wetting the foliage can reduce transpiration and relieve heat stress on the rose.

How much sun does a rose need? Roses prefer a full day of sun. Give roses at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Morning sun is especially important because it dries the leaves which helps prevent disease.

Can roses be grown in shade? Generally roses do poorly in shady conditions. They bloom less, are leggy, and get diseases more easy. But Hybrid Musk's and some Alba's can tolerate partial shade. The Floribunda "Gruss An Aachen" can be grown in shade. Some other roses that may grow in partial shade are the Iceberg(FB), Rugosas, Zephirine Drouhin (Bourbon), Madame Plantier and Souvenir du Docteur Jamain(HP)

About the Author
Much more information about Rose Gardening on this site - check out your self.

The Most Popular Roses

2006-06-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

by Chester Smith

When most think of flowers the image that comes to mind is that of a rose. A rose can be used to express any kind of emotion. It can indicate love or it can denote sadness. It can bring a peace of mind or it can excite the receiver.

Little wonder that most of us want to buy a rose. And it is easily understandable as to why many of us would want to see roses blooming in our gardens.

People like all the different varieties of roses. Yet as is the case with most things there are some roses that are more popular than the others.

The image of rose that comes to the mind of most people is that of a hybrid tea rose. A hybrid tea rose usually has a large bloom at the end of a cane. The blooms of hybrid teas come in almost all colors except blue and black.

It is the hybrid teas that are sold the most at florists shop. Examples of this type of rose are Double Delight and Mr. Lincoln.

Another popular variety of roses is the Floribundas. These were earlier called hybrid polyanthas. These usually have smaller blooms and the blooms are usually in clusters.
However there are some exceptions in which the blooms appear singularly. These are the roses ideal for landscaping purposes. Examples of this category are Iceberg and Angel Face.
At times you can also combinations of the Floribundas and the Hybrid Teas. These are called Grandifloras. These are comparatively smaller plants.

Their blooms are also smaller and tend to come in clusters. Queen and Elizabeth are two such combinations.

Then there are the Miniature roses. These are roses that are smaller in bush, foliage and bloom size. The looms of the miniature roses tend to lie in the range of ½ to 2 inches.
Miniatures are very popular roses. The biggest advantage with them is that they can be grown anywhere, even in containers. Behold and Fairhope are two representatives of this category of roses.

Mini-Floras are roses that are too large to be miniatures but too small to be either a Hybrid Tea or a Floribunda. These are usually not fit for landscaping purposes. Cachet and Autumn Splendor are two examples the roses that are covered by this category.

The next sets of roses that are worth a mention are the Old Garden Roses. These are the roses that had been classified before 1867. These include the mosses and the gallicas.

Shrubs are next roses that we can talk about. This is catchall category. This includes roses that are hybrids of other categories and the roses that do not fir easily in any other categories. Ballerina and Rose de Rescht are two roses that fall under this category.

Any such cannot be completed without a mention of the Climbing Roses, which are named so because they can climb to great heights. These are very vigorous in nature. When they are in bloom they tend to be covered in blooms for a month or even longer.

The canes of these roses are flexible. The blooms of the Climbing Roses are small in size and are arranged in large clusters. American Pillar and Seven Sisters are but two of the roses that belong to this category.

These are the prominent categories of the roses that are favored by the gardeners. Each of them needs a certain climate for growth and it is this climate that determines the region of their growth.

So pick your favorite keeping in mind the growth conditions and fill your garden with roses.

About the Author
Chester Smith runs a website dedicated to Rose Gardening. The site features free blogs for users who wish to create blogs about roses.

Try visit Rose Garden Care...

Learn Rose Gardening - And Have Fun Doing It!

2006-06-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

By Robert Mosse

Are you ready to learn rose gardening? Here are some basics to help you start growing healthy, vibrant roses. It's a great thing to do for yourself and your garden!

In any rose garden there are some overall needs. Roses do need good garden soil, sunlight, and the availability of water. So let's begin to learn rose gardening with where your roses will "live."

The Rose Bed:

Almost any soil is, or can be made into, good garden soil. The best soil for your rose bed is a well-drained, fertile, light soil at least two feet deep. A pH between 6.0 - and 6.5 is ideal. Make sure your rose bed will get at least 4 hours of full sunlight a day, with 6 hours being best.

Purchasing Your Roses:

Roses can be easily bought from nurseries and garden centers. They will come as either "bare root" roses, or in containers (packaged).
Bare-root roses come with the roots protected in a moist packaging substance. Purchase these roses as close to planting time as possible, and plant them while they are dormant. Depending on your climate, the best planting time is late winter or early spring, after any frozen ground has thawed.

How To Plant Bare Root Roses:
1. Before planting, soak the roots in water overnight.
2. Dig a hole and make a mound of soil in the bottom of it. Set the plant on the mounds, spreading the roots evenly around the mound.
3. Place the rose so the bud union is at the same height as the ground surface.
4. Cover the roots with loose soil and press lightly. Add more soil until the hole is half full, then fill with water, letting the water soak in.
5. Fill the hole with soil, and you're done!

How To Plant Container, or Packaged, Roses:
1. To plant the rose while it is still dormant, take it out of the box and plant it like a bare-root rose.
2. If the rose is growing (showing leaves and flowers), cut the bottom of the container off, and cut several openings on each side. You want the roots to be unrestricted.
3. Set the rose in the planting hole to the right depth. Fill the hole with soil and water.

Mulching Roses:

Mulching your roses is good for any soil and in any climate. It is extremely helpful in dry areas. Mulch keeps the soil temperature steady, and prevents heavy rain from causing the top soil to cake up. Mulching also helps to controls weeds.

Watering Roses:

Roses need to receive 1 inch of water per week. What's the best way? Watering deeply once a week, instead of watering lightly more often. Overhead sprinkling is great when done in the morning. This lets the foliage dry out before nightfall. Using soaker hoses or other drip-irrigation systems may be a more convenient way to water your roses.

Winter Treatment:

It's fairly easy to help most roses get safely through winter. Start by shoveling a protective mound of soil around the base of the rose. Then add a few scoops of mulch around the base, and they should stay well insulated.

Pruning Roses:

As you learn rose gardening, you'll find that much satisfaction comes from pruning your roses. By pruning, you remove old wood and encourage sap to flow into younger and stronger branches.

Most roses need moderately light pruning. Prune roses in late winter or in early spring, as soon as the buds begin to swell, but before they start to open. In warm climates, pruning can be a year-round activity.

Of course, there is more to learn about rose gardening... but these basics will see that you're off to a good start. The main thing is to enjoy the beauty and blessings our roses bring us every day!

Copyright 2006 Robert Mosse
Robert Mosse is a garden and lawn care specialist and author of the "Easy" Lawn and Gardening Book Series. Find out more about growing roses ... and get Robert's free Guide for 101 Gardening Tips.

The Basics Of Pruning

2006-06-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

By Bambi Coker

The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose and the landscape purpose for which it was planted, whether it’s growing in the ground or in a container. Pruning can range from removing unwanted buds to severely excising canes. Proper pruning stimulates growth at the buds closest to the cut, which produces new flowering stems.

The first step in pruning any type of rose is to remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or weak and thin canes, cutting them off flush with the bud union or, in the case of own-root plants, flush with the crown. Look for any canes that are broken or wounded, or that have cankers (dark, sunken lesions caused by a fungus), and prune below the injury, at the highest point where the pith (the central portion of the cane) is healthy and white. Make the cut exactly 1/4 inch above a growth bud. If the injury extends below that point, cut to a lower growth bud.

Next, remove canes that are growing into the center of the plant or those that cross each other. Canes that grow inward keep light and air from the center of the plant and will eventually cross, chafing one another. These abrasions can become entry points for insects and diseases. Using shears cut these canes down to their origin, whether that is another cane, the bud union, or the crown. It is important to keep the center of the plant open to let in sunshine and allow air to circulate freely.

Always prune to an outward-facing bud so that canes do not grow into the center of the plant. Prune at a distance close enough to the bud that no stub remains to die off and harbor insects or diseases but far enough away that the bud will not die. A good distance is about 1/4 inch above the growth bud. Equally important, cut at the proper angle so that water runoff won’t drip on the bud or collect in the cut and retard healing. The ideal angle is 45 degrees, slanted parallel to the direction of bud growth.

Pruning in Warm and Cold Climates

In warm climates where rose plants grow quite large, pruning to the recommended height is not desirable because it will remove too much of the plant. Instead, prune away about one half to two thirds of the plant each winter or early spring by removing the older canes and shortening the remaining canes. In cold climates where there is a great deal of winter damage, pruning heights may be determined for you by the amount of winterkill. Prune canes down to where there is no more winter damage, even if it is almost to the ground.

The higher a plant is pruned, the earlier it will flower. But don’t jeopardize the health and vigor of the plant by pruning too high just to have blooms a few clays earlier. There is little advantage to pruning your roses lower than the heights prescribed above; unlike disbudding (which we’ll discuss later); it will probably not make the plants produce larger flowers.

Preventing Disease

Although black spot and other fungal diseases manifest themselves on leaves, their spores can over-winter on rose canes. If these diseases plagued your roses during the previous summer, you should prune them lower than recommended, cutting away and discarding much of the source of the problem. Although you won’t be able to see the spores on the canes, you can be assured that cutting off a few extra inches during spring pruning will reduce the number of spores to some degree. Never leave rose cuttings on the ground. They look unsightly and harbor diseases and pests that may potentially re-infect the plant or spread to others.

When to Seal Cuts

Pruning cuts more than inch in diameter can be sealed with pruning compound, orange shellac, or grafting wax (available at garden centers or hardware stores) if boring insects are a problem in your area. Pruning compound and orange shellac are the easiest to use because they can be painted on. Otherwise, sealing is not necessary. Some types of white glue, which is sometimes used as a sealant, are water soluble and will wash away with the first rain or watering; they should therefore not be used.

Inspect After Pruning

Several weeks after you have pruned, take a second trip through the garden with your paining shears. If you pruned early in the year, a late frost may have caused minor dieback on some of the canes. This dieback should be removed. Cankers that were not apparent at pruning time may be visible and should also be pruned away.

Don’t be too harsh when pruning young plants. Until plants are well established and have been growing robustly for two to three years, remove only weak, damaged, or dead wood. Shape and shorten the plants as recommended above without cutting away any of the older canes. In the following years, old canes can be removed as new ones develop.

Choosing the Right Roses for your Garden

2006-06-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

By Kathy Burns-Millyard

There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you can grow in your garden. With such a selection to choose from, it can be extremely difficult to choose the rose that's right for you. To make this task a bit easier, We've outlined a few important factors you should consider, and explained some of the different types of roses to aid in your search.

Tips on Choosing Roses

1. Color may seem trivial at first glance, but it's usually an important factor to those that want to grow roses. Usually it is simply a matter of personal preference, but you may want to try creating a complimentary color palette for your rose garden.

2. The final growth height of a rose should be considered as it would be unattractive to grow roses that are higher than the area of the garden that it grows in. Some roses can grow to be as high as 20 feet.

3. If you live in an area that is prone to cold winters, you would certainly want a rose that could survive during the off season.

4. If certain fragrances invoke an allergic reaction, you'll want to plant roses that have a softer fragrance than the others.

5. It's smart gardening to learn what the advantages and disadvantages would be if you were to choose certain roses over others.

6. You will want to consider the size of your garden space, so that you can ensure proper exposure to the air and other elements as well.

7. If you are hoping to make your roses into bouquets, you will want to know if they can be cut. Hybrid teas can. Some roses will fall apart at the petals if they are cut.

8. You should also consider what other types of flowers or plants you intend on adding to the rose's environment. You want to add plants and flowers that will not create a damaging environment to your rose's ecosystem.

Some Common Types of Roses

After you get a sense of the type of roses that you would like to plant, you'll naturally want to know which types of roses best fit with your planting ideas. There are too many varieties of roses to list here, but this list covers some of the most popular. You should consult your nearest garden center for advice on whether your choice is fitting to your garden's abilities.

Landscape roses - Landscape roses are great for the novice gardener. They are disease resistant, and require a little bit less maintenance. Hybrid teas are not good for the novice.

Climbing Roses- These roses are different from the regular roses that are planted as they are trained to grow upward like vines. Most people like to use these for trellises, or buildings. Some of them are hybrid teas, wichuraine, and large flowered climbers. They are a beautiful addition to the look of one's house.

Shrub Roses - Shrub roses like the beautiful rugosa are both long blooming, and disease resistant. These are also great for the novice planter. They are gorgeous even when they are not in bloom because the foliage is so pretty.

Old Garden Roses- These roses are not very good for those with severe allergies to strong fragrances because they have a strong fragrant odor. However, they are disease resistant and continue to bloom for months at a time.

The Modern Rose - These are very special roses because they are the result of cross breeding the hybrid tea with the polyanthus. They are also referred to as Floribunda. They are a beautiful combination of the best those two flowers have to offer. They are long blooming, fragrant, and they are great for cutting.

Miniature Roses - Miniature roses are exactly what they sound like. They have all of the fragrance and beauty of a regular rose, but they have smaller blooms. These particular roses are great for indoor planting.

While note all inclusive, this article should be a great help in getting you started on the way to having your very own, gorgeous rose garden.

© 2004, Kathy Burns-Millyard and Garden-Source.com

This article is provided courtesy of http://www.Garden-Source.com - You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

Technorati Tags: roses, rose bush, rose garden, gardening, plants, spring, flowers

Plant a Rose Bush in your Garden

2006-06-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is here and upon us many people start thinking about what garden project they will work on this year. Whether you are creating a new garden or adding to your existing garden and spicing it up a bit. Why not plant a rose bush in your garden? It is not as hard as some may think and they are beautiful, who doesn't love roses?!

There are thousands of rose types to choose from and the choices can be overwhelming. Most importantly pick a rose bush that will do well in your climate. You can visit a local nursery to see their selection and you can also ask questions. Your local nursery is a great resource for learning about roses, plants and more - use it! If your neighbor has a rose bush that you have been admiring, don't be shy ask them what type of bush it is. Some rose bushes will need more maintaining then others so be sure and ask as many questions as you can so you know what you are in for when you start.

After you have picked the right rose bush next you will have to figure out where in your garden you will be planting it. Be sure and pick a good location. Ideally you should have your plans laid out prior to purchasing your rose bush. Choose a spot that will allow for six hours of sun light each day, where air circulates and the soil receives good drainage. These are the most important factors when planting your new rose bush.

Most bare-root rose bushes are planted during late winter. If you purchase your roses in a container you can plan to plant them in the early spring. You should avoid planting roses during the summer. The hot weather can stress your new rose plant which will prohibit it from growing. If you still decide to plant your rose bush during the summer, you can expect to water it every day usually.

And there you have it, the basics for planting a rose bush in your garden. Take time and pick the right rose bush for you and make sure you have a location that will meet the needs of your new rose bush.

Happy gardening!

About the Author
Get inspired this summer with free garden catalogs. We have hundreds of free catalogs and magazine offers available on all topics.