Spreaders are handy for laying down weed killer, fertilizer and other lawn care products that help you maintain the yard or garden. They come in two basic types - broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders - and you may find it helpful to have at least one of each.
A broadcast spreader itself comes in two different varieties, push-cart and hand-held.
Looking for a colorful way to make a grand statement? If you like to putter around in the garden, then do what the nobles of the past did and surround your home with rose trees. Doing so will definitely add an air of elegance to any landscape.
Rose trees, also known as Rose Standards, differ from rose plants or rose shrubs in that they are actually cultivated to resemble a tree. A rose tree consists of a long, slender cane, 32 to 36 inches (about 1 meter) in length, void of any foliage from which an abundance of rose flowers literally burst forth. The ‘tree’ is created by making two grafts: one at the top of the central cane to support the hybrid tee, grandiflora or floribunda and one at the bottom, at the rootstock.
This a series of great videos that will explain how to prune roses and specifically how to look after hybrid rose tree bushes.
Looking for a colorful way to make a grand statement? If you like to putter around in the garden, then do what the nobles of the past did and surround your home with rose trees. Doing so will definitely add an air of elegance to any landscape.
Rose trees, also known as Rose Standards, differ from rose plants or rose shrubs in that they are actually cultivated to resemble a tree. A rose tree consists of a long, slender cane, 32 ñ 36 inches (about 1 meter) in length, void of any foliage from which an abundance of rose flowers literally burst forth. The ‘tree’ is created by making two grafts: one at the top of the central cane to support the hybrid tee, grandiflora or floribunda and one at the bottom, at the rootstock.
Miniature rose trees are created in a similar manner, the difference being that the central cane measures only approximately 24 inches. Whether regular-sized or miniature, the end result is a unique rose that has the shape of a lollipop.
To endure the weight of the grafted rose on top, the central cane usually must be staked. Staking is especially important in areas prone to wind. Another problem with rose trees, besides the usual pests and diseases that plague all roses, is the sun. The cane part of the tree rose is especially susceptible to sun scald.
During the winter months it’s difficult to protect rose trees from the cold. With regular roses, all that’s required to prepare for winter is a layer of mulch around the base. But with the rose tree, to be protected from the cold, mulch must be placed all the way up the cane. The only way to accomplish this is either by relocating the rose tree during the winter, or by engineering a container made from wire mesh to surround the cane that can be filled with mulch.
Besides the seasonal care, growers have to diligently prune rose trees to achieve the right look. The central cane should never be pruned, only the flowering top part. How you prune will depend on the type of rose that sits atop the cane so know the right way before beginning. Improperly pruned roses, regardless of type, are more prone to diseases. And with the rose tree, it can cause an uneven distribution of weight that could break the stems.
You’ll find several different species of rose trees. The newest to hit the market is the ‘double decker’ rose tree that produces two layers of flowers. One is on top, as you would normally expect to see, and the other layer begins closer to the ground although this layer is not considered ground covering. Yellow Ribbons Double Decker is a beauty. Another popular rose tree is the ‘weeping’ tree where arched rose stems overflowing with roses cascade towards the ground. The Roseberry Blanket Weeping Tree Rose produces large-sized fuchsia blooms.
Even though Rose Standards require more attention, the attention they’ll get when they’re established and in full bloom is well worth the effort. They’ll add height to your garden and bursts of vibrant color throughout your landscape.
Old Garden Roses are any of the rose varieties that were recognized and celebrated prior to 1867, the year in which the first modern flower was introduced. The name of this flower is the hybrid tea. The major classes of Old Garden Roses include: bourbons, noisettes, portlands, species, centifolias, albas, chinas, damasks, hybrid perpetuals, moss roses, gallicas, and teas. Although some of these roses are native to the United States, the majority are from Europe and Asia. The roses that are often referred to as “Old Fashioned,” or “Antique Roses,” have actually served as the predecessors to some of the most beautiful modern hybrids.
Unlike Modern Roses, which are applauded for their vibrant colors, compact buds, and recurrent blooming, ‘Old Fashioned’ Roses are usually pastel in color and are single blooming. Their much-anticipated annual blooms have come to symbolize the arrival of summer.
These flowers are true survivors. Most Old Garden Roses are hardy even in some of the coldest and poorest weather conditions. It’s as if they can withstand anything. Their versatility can rarely be matched by other classes of roses. Despite their durability and strength, these roses flourish best when planted in a favorable situation. The roses require a minimum of six hours in direct sunlight on a daily basis. The ideal location for your Old Garden Roses is an open area, away from shade-producing trees. The soil in this area should be well-drained and fertilized prior to planting.
While many people ignore the fertilization process, soil preparation is a very important element in growing healthy beautiful roses. You should add a large quantity of organic material such as manure to the flower bed prior to planting. The fertilizer will enrich the soil and aid in water drainage. It’s highly recommended that you prepare your garden several months in advance to allow the nutrients to settle. Your Old Garden Roses will prosper in this rich environment.
Once your flower bed is prepared, you’re ready to begin planting your roses. Although it’s a little dirty, it’s a very easy task. Dig a hole about eight inches deep. Remove the plant from its plastic pot. Carefully untangle any loose roots and place the plant directly into the hole. Fill any remaining space with loose soil. You won’t need any soil additives at this time. Just be sure to saturate the ground with water. Your new plant will require water on a daily basis for three weeks. If the ground looks like it’s very dry, give your plant a quick shower.
Although many people don’t like the appearance of mulch, it can truly be a gardener’s best friend. Mulch really helps to repel weeds. It’s also great for holding moisture, which encourages your flowers to bloom radiantly in the summer months. Don’t worry about diseases unless you see strange spots on the foliage. Although Old Garden Roses have been known to be disease resistant, it doesn’t mean they’re 100% disease-free. However, it’s very rare that a disease will debilitate these plants. They’re extremely tough and very self-maintaining.
If you’re looking for something new to plant in your rose garden, select any of the Old Garden Rose varieties. The blooms and fragrances will please your senses and are the reasons why these roses have withstood the test of time.
Now that you finally have a rose garden that you can be proud of, it’s time to take the next step and let others judge the beauty of your roses. Rose shows and exhibits are exciting events where you get a chance to see how your roses stack up against those from other rosarians. It doesn’t matter if you win, just the experience will teach you a lot.
Before entering your own roses, take the time to visit a few rose shows so you can see how everything works.
If at all possible, try to get permission to enter the preparation room so you can see what experienced displayers do before the judging begins.
Get a copy of the rule book from the American Rose Society. Visit their web site at www.ARS.org for information.
When you decide that you are ready to enter a show, look for one that’s close to home so you can keep your travel time and expenses to a minimum. There are plenty of exhibits that offer special judging classes for beginners, so try to find one of those.
Follow this timetable and you’ll be ready to face the judges on the day of the show:
30 days before the show
Start the process of narrowing down you choices to the rose that you will be showing. It’s easiest to start with displaying one single bloom on a stem. Be sure to select a rose with a sturdy and straight stem.
Begin preparing the rose for exhibit by cutting off all of the buds that are forming between the side of the stem and the leaf. This focuses all of the nutrients to the single bloom at the end of the stem.
Support the cane of your selected rose by staking it with a bamboo stake and some rose or twist ties. This protects the cane and helps to support the rose as it grows.
Spray fungicide when needed and promptly remove aphids and spider mites if they appear. Aphids can be removed by spritzing with soapy water. Spider mites can be lightly sprayed with plain water.
Water your roses as you normally do and apply organics and fertilizer as required.
Put together your toolkit for the day of the show. Most experienced rosarians include the following in their kits:
Several soft cloths Q-Tips Shears Plastic wrap Small, soft artist’s paintbrush ARS Rule Book
7 days before the show
Cover your selected bloom with a baggy that’s secured below the bloom with a tie at night, and remove the baggie before the sun rises in the morning. Do this every night until you leave for the show.
2 or 3 days before the show
Cut the rose following the instructions in our “Tips for cutting roses for display” article. Cut the stem a bit longer than usual because you will be re-cutting the day of the show.
Place the rose in a florist’s bucket, cover the bloom with a baggie and tie it off below the bloom. Place the bucket and rose in the refrigerator.
The morning of the show
Remove the rose from the refrigerator, place the container and rose safely in your car, grab your kit, and head for the show!
The name, Shrub Rose is somewhat confusing because a rose, any rose in fact, is actually a shrub. Most varieties of roses can be considered shrub roses including hybrids, modern roses, old garden roses, and even miniature roses. The term “shrub” refers to the appearance of the rose plant, which in general resembles that of a bush or shrub. Shrub roses are a great colorful alternative to use anywhere you would plant another type of shrub.
Shrub roses can be used as a screen or hedge plant for privacy, as a border, in the background, and any other way you can think to use this bountiful bush. Although the flowers from Shrub Roses carry little fragrance, they do come in a wide assortment of colors. Pink, red, white, and yellow are all common colors for a shrub rose’s abundant and vibrant flowers.
Unlike many other roses, Shrub Roses are perfect for planting anywhere. They’re “plant-friendly” and can mingle into any mixed assortment of flowers. In addition, Shrub Roses are very winter-hardy and they have excellent disease tolerance. These round easily-maintained bushes are not typically considered a “small” plant. Many older Shrub Roses can grow up to six feet in height. If desired, Shrub Roses can be trained to grow like hedges.
It’s generally the modern shrubs that are much smaller in size. Several modern shrub roses have been popularized in recent years. Ground Covers such as Cliffs of Dover, Flower Carpet and Jeepers Creepers have been a treasure for homeowners with sloped or uneven lawns. They also grow wonderfully in hanging baskets and containers. Regardless of the variety you choose, Shrub Roses can be a wonderful feature at the entrance to your garden or home.
If you purchase your shrub from a nursery, you’ll want to dig a hole that is double the width and length of the pot that contains your shrub. Use a sharp instrument to cut the plastic pot away. The idea here is to disturb the roots as little as possible. Once you have the plant free from its container, place it in the hole. Fill in the remaining space with loose soil and soak the plant with water. Make sure the plant is in a very sunny location. Generally speaking, Shrub Roses require a minimum of eight hours of full sun on a daily basis. The direct light combined with moist soil will ensure maximum flower production.
Fortunately, Shrub Roses require very little maintenance. The soil should always be moist. If you live in a climate that receives very little rain during the summer months, you’ll want to water your shrubs twice a week. If you’re looking for gorgeous results and optimal growth, fertilize your roses in the spring and fall with organic fertilizers. Pruning is not necessary with this shrub, as it is basically self-cleaning. Shrub roses will release their own dead foliage, creating a neat appearance through every season. Some of the prettiest roses are ‘ever blooming.’ Purchase this type of shrub if you’re looking to purchase a recurrent bloomer that will profusely bloom several times annually.
Before you plant another green shrub, consider planting Shrub Roses instead. The most trouble you’ll have with this plant is deciding which is the prettiest to bring home!
If you want to be the proud owner of a bountiful garden this year, the first thing you need to find out is which climate zone you live in. It’s helpful to know that your town gets a lot of sunshine throughout the year, but that’s not enough. It’s actually the cold temperatures that make a difference in what you can and cannot grow in your area.
Know Your Zone
Anyone who knows anything about gardening will tell you that the most reliable source of this type of climate information is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Consisting of 11 different climate zones covering all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, this map will help you determine what you can plant in your garden.
When you purchase plants, they’ll come with a set of growing instructions that’ll describe the growing conditions the plants need to thrive. It doesn’t matter whether you plan to plant vegetables, flowers or plants to use as landscaping. Don’t purchase anything until you’ve checked the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and confirmed your climate zone.
The map is quite large and very colorful. Its creation was a joint collaboration of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Arnold Arboretum (of Harvard University). The map is a compilation of years of weather data that tracked the average low (coldest) temperatures in various regions throughout the United States. Each of the different colors represents a different climate zone with Zone 1 being the region with the lowest (coldest) temperature. There, temperatures climb as low as -50 F (-45 C). At the opposite end of the zone chart is Zone 11, where the lowest temperature any time of year is always above 40 F (4 C).
The boundaries between the different climate zones for the most part lie as you would expect, with the colder zones covering the northernmost parts of North America and gradually warming the further south you go. Slight variations can be seen at points of higher elevation, again, as would be expected.
It’s easy to figure out your area’s climate zone. If you’re online, locate a website with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and then click where you live (get as close as you can). The map will zoom in on your region and inform you of the corresponding zone. Then you’ll know!
Why the Map is Important to Rose Gardening
Roses really aren’t as difficult to grow as most people think. They do require regular care and maintenance, but the number one thing roses need is an appropriate climate in which to grow. There are many varieties of roses and some are hardier than others, making them better able to handle colder climate zones provided they’ve been given the proper seasonal preparations. If you live in a colder hardiness zone (a lower-numbered zone) you’d want to look for roses that are bred for that zone, otherwise, you might find that those same roses that looked so perfect in the nursery don’t look so healthy in your garden!
