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

Monday, June 02, 2008

The Five Best Hybrid Roses

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.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Rose Bushes - The Basics Of Planting Your Own Rose Bush

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