|
UK Ray Bans Jim McLain- Wild roses offer hearty b
Down through the centuries, species rugosas has been improved through selection. But they have their limitations. Most bloom heavily in June and July, and then bloom only sporadically the rest of summer. Blooms are mostly singles in various shades of pink, though some bear white blossoms. Another drawback is they tend to send up lots of suckers.
Hybrid rugosas
Rugosa hybrids are much preferred over species rugosas in today’s gardens. Yet they retain the best qualities of species rugosas: beautiful shiny, crinkly foliage, exceptional fall foliage and vibrantly colored hips. And they are every bit as disease- and insect-resistant as the ancient species rugosas.
Hybrid rugosas offer a much wider range of flower colors than is available in the species. Today’s hybrid cultivars blossoms are available in red, crimson, purple, yellow,, peach, plus beautiful bicolored colors. And they aren’t limited to just single blooms. Quite a number of hybrid rugosas sport semi-double and double flowers. And like the species rugosas, most rugosas blooms have a delightful spicy fragrance, though white blooms usually have a lighter aroma.
While their individual blooms won’t exactly bowl you over with their beauty as can hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas and other modern roses, the total effect of the bush, their blooms, their striking fall foliage and attractive hips will be sure to generate your enthusiasm for these under-used roses.
The foliage transitions into a variety of vibrant fall color including burgundy,UK Ray Bans, burnt orange, yellow, russet or combinations of all of these colors. However, the intensity of leaf colors vary depending on the kind of fall weather we have from year to year.
Rose hips,Ray Ban Wayfarer, the seed pods that form after blooms fade, provide an impressive show, especially in early winter. Depending on the cultivar, hips mature to be tomato-red, yellow, apricot or purple. But rose hips are more than just ornamental,?uid=5096&do=blog&id=23893,Ray Ban Clubmaster, they are also chock-full of vitamin C and can be used to make delicious jellies, jams, syrups, teas and even wines.
After early flushes of bloom, you should remove the faded flowers so your rugosas will put their energy into reblooming. But by late summer stop deadheading if you want to have a beautiful bonus of vibrant hips in your late fall and winter garden. And you will not be the only one to enjoy your rose hips after the growing season has ended. Many species of birds feed on them,Cheap Ray Bans, especially later in winter when their natural food is in short supply.
Easy care
Rugosas may be available as containerized plants along with many other varieties of roses at local nurseries. If you do not find what you are looking for,Ray Ban Wayfarer, ask if they can special order for you. Many of our nurseries up and down the Valley will be more than happy to do so.
Plant your hybrid rugosas the same way you do any other rose. If the roots are beginning to spiral about the pot,Ray Ban Clubmaster, tease them so they will grow outward. Make sure the graft is about 2 inches below the soil surface. You won’t need to add fertilizer,Ray Ban Wayfarer, although rugosas will appreciate a shovel-full of compost added to the soil. Water in your new rugosas after planting, but once established they will be more drought-resistant than most other roses.
What pruning that needs to be done can be done before the canes start to leaf out in spring. Cut out any dead and older wood near the center to encourage good air circulation. If your rugosas eventually grow too tall or wide, you can prune them back to the height you desire without doing any damage.
Rugosas do not require winter mulching because most are extremely winter hardy. Some cultivars will get through minus 40-degree winters unscathed, which is much lower than our minimum temperatures. So what’s not to like about rugosas? Well, if your love for roses is based on using them in bouquets,Cheap Ray Ban, rugosas aren’t for you because they lack long stems needed in arrangements.
Popular rugosas
Following are thumbnail descriptions of four hybrid rugosa cultivars to give you an idea of how versatile rugosas can be in form and flower. There are many other cultivars to choose from, though only a relatively few new cultivars come on the market in any year.
? Purple Pavement has large purple-crimson ruffled blooms that are semi-double and highly fragrant. It’s a dependable repeat-bloomer that can be counted on to bloom all season long, followed by the development of handsome hips. Fall foliage varies from yellow to maroon.
? Blanc Double de Coubert is an heirloom that dates back to the late 19th century, and it is still one of the most popular of all rugosas. It has heady fragrant semi-double blooms of pure white. Growing to be as much as 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide,Ray Ban Outlet, it makes an excellent hedge as well as a specimen plant.
? Agnes’is one of the rugosas that has wonderful yellow blooms. Partly opened buds have an apricot hue. Their blooms have a fruity fragrance that is a butterfly magnet. Their highly crinkled foliage is a visual delight,Ray Ban Outlet.
? Charles Albanel, unlike many rugosas grows to be only 2 feet tall. It makes a great ground cover or landscape rose. It can be counted on for its deep pink blooms to cover the bush from spring until fall.
? Freelance gardening columnist Jim McLain can be reached at 509-697-6112 or ongardening@fairpoint.net. |
|