Several people have commented on my previous post about cutting my roses back to the ground.I should clarify: The only rose in my garden that gets that brutal treatment is a lovely but tough little shrub rose called 'Flower Girl'.
I got my original shrub from Otto & Sons in Fillmore, California. You can visit them here: http://www.ottoandsons-nursery.com/
When I started my new garden, I went back and got cuttings from the original shrub. Out of dozens of cuttings, only about 10 actually 'struck'.
The rose forms a graceful, arching shrub that flowers non-stop nine months of the year. The main problem was trying to prune without destroying the lovely shape. (The other drawback is that in our summer heat flowers fade to a hideous, bubblegum pink.)
Cutting back to the ground forces fresh new growth and preserves the delicacy of form that is so beautiful - and seems to maintain the apricot-gold color in the center of the flowers. (Of course, this only works on 'own root roses'.)Companions? Equally tough oenethera and this gorgeous, drought tolerant grass, Melinis nerviglumis.
9 comments:
Lovely !
In my tropical garden I'm grateful for any rose ... baby pink, seductress red or bubblegum pink. Just so long as they are un-chomped and not wilting in our blazing heat!
Thanks for the explanation (since I was one who asked). I had no idea any roses could do that! Thanks for the new info. Wow, "only" 10 cuttings took? That seems like a lot! You must have a really big garden. :)
Hi Chloe, thanks for clarifying about the rose pruning. Flower Girl sounds like a tough cookie and I love that you just whack her back for fresh new growth. The climber Moonlight works like that for me. Flower Girl looks very much like a gal that might like it in the fairegarden! :-)
Frances
Sunita,
I can imagine the challenges of gardening in your climate - but the photos of your garden are really beautiful.
I'm sure many northern gardeners wish for the opportunity to grow tropicals, too!
Chloe M.
Karen,
My garden is actually pretty small! So one went home with Abigail and several to my mother - I think I have about 6 or 7, in a row along the top of a stone retaining wall.
When they're in bloom I'll take some pictures and post them.
Chloe M.
Frances,
That's a great suggestion (Moonlight) and such a lovely name!
I think Flower Girl would be delighted to be in fairegarden - especially sharing space with your gorgeous grasses.
Chloe M.
With all of the horror stories surrounding rose bushes it almost feels like cheating when one performs so well. I've got a 'Flower Carpet' rose that beats all. Last fall I finally conceded and bought a 'Knockout.' I hope it lives up to its reputation. Nice photos.
Wow, I LOVE the look of that rose. And the fact that it's so tough.
It doesn't surprise me that only a few of your many cuttings took. I've tried that before and it's not that easy at all. But strangely, my "The Fairy" rose did it on its own last year!
Very helpful information, beautiful pictures! Thanks!
Post a Comment