The Rose, the Queen of Window Plants

by Sarah Martin

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

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

China Rose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author

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

The Art of Growing and Showing Roses.

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.