Flowers All Over

To help gardeners choose flowers, various systems for rating hardiness have been developed. A plant is considered hardy in a region if it can grow and thrive there without requiring special protective measures such as insulating with straw mulch.
Sep 22, 2004 – 06:57 PM

The first thing to look for is the plant’s grade.
Nearly all bare root roses sold today are grown in the field and are approximetly two years old. They are sold in three main grades.

Grade 1 is the best and most expensive grade. In order to obtain this grade the plants are required to have at least three strong cains, two of which must be at least 18 inches in length for hybrid teas anf grandifloras. The canes should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter.

Grade 1 1/2 is the most popular grade due to it’s lesser price. In order to obtain this grade the plants are required to have at least two strong canes which must be at least 15 inches long for hybrid teas and grandifloras. The canes should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter.

Grade 2 is the least expensive grade. These plants are o­nly required to have two canes 12 inches or longer. These plants can be a gamble as they may be stunted.

Note: Measurements are for plants when dug from the fields. Sometimes the plant sellers will shorten the length of the canes for easier handling. The number of canes remain the same and usually the thicker the diameter the better the plant.

There are three main sources for buying roses.

Nurseries are normally more expensive but are usually the best places to buy your plants. Plants are normally kept in sawdust thereby allowing you to inspect the roots. Plants with badly damaged roots are less likely to do well and may not make it at all. Additionally, a nursery usually carries a large variety of new and old standards. Finally, a good nurseryperson can provide advice as to which plants do best in your area and climate.

Mail order suppliers are normally less expensive and usually have a greater variety of plants than your local nursery, however you can not inspect the plants before buying and they sometimes arrive damaged. Furthermore, although most mail order suppliers are reputable a few are disreputable and ship very poor quality plants. Additionally, it is hard and can be expensive to return plants that you are unhappy with.

Supermarkets are inexpensive but usually carry a limited variety of plants. Additionally the plants usually come with their roots wrapped in plastic, therefore you are unable to inspect the roots for damage. Plants can be treated roughly in supermarkets, not o­nly by the people that stock them, but also by customers. Therefore, there is a much greater potential for damage.

Should you buy newly developed varieties or the old standards?

Which variety of plant you purchase depends o­n your taste and what is available for your climate.

There are hundreds of varieties of roses, however I prefer the older time proven standards. They may not come in as many color variations but they are reliable, still come in a large variety of colors and are usually more heavily scented (I like to smell the roses). My two favorites are both red. The Chrysler Imperial is a full well shaped velvety dark crimson red flower with a rich delightful fragrance which grows o­n a heavily flowering medium height bush. Mister Lincoln has long buds with full open dark rich red fragrant flowers with long stems and grows o­n a tall bush with dark glossy leaves.

Roses, if properly cared for, can last years. Therefore, in order to obtain the most enjoyment from your plants it is a good idea to do your research. Spend some time looking at types, colors, shapes and sizes. Check catalogues, the internet, check out friend’s gardens and if possible go to an arboretum or nursery. Look at and smell the roses before buying.

So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your yard or on your patio, porch or balcony. Now all you have to do is go out and buy some bushes and plant them. Right? Wrong!!

There are several things that you have to decide before buying:

1. Where are you planning o­n planting?

2. Are you going to plant in the ground or in containers?

3. Do you want roses that are scented or unscented?

4. Do you want bushes, trees, climbers, vining or do you want them to grow into a hedge?

5. Do you want large, medium, small or miniature blooms?

6. Do you want roses for cutting?

7. What colors go best with your garden, patio, porch or balcony?

There are several types of roses, among them are:

Hybrid teas bloom frequently, are hardy, come in a wide range of colors, are well sented and are good for cutting for vases. The size of the blooms and the length of the stem depends o­n how they are pruned. They make the best long stem roses for cutting.

Hybrid perpetuals are seldom planted today as they have a limited color range and normally bloom less frequently. They are, however, quite hardy and have large well scented blooms. The “American Beauty” rose is from this category.

Grandifloras are a cross between hybrid teas and floribundas. The flowers are the same size and shape as hybrid teas, however they usually have an abundance of blooms o­n each stem. These roses are very popular for growing in containers.

Floribundas have slightly smaller flowers but are hardier, have a longer growing season in cold climates and yeild large numbers of flowers.

Polyanthas are small averaging just 18 inches in height. They are very hardy and produce large clusters of small flowers.

Miniatures average between 6 and 12 inches in height, carry small o­ne inch or less blooms, are hardy and require little care. These make very good balcony container roses.

Climbers come in several types, Ramblers which are hardy, fast growing and can develope canes up to 20 feet long. Pillars are slower growing upright palnts that are well suited for growing o­n posts. Trailers are low growing easy to maintain plants good for covering banks and walls. Large Flowered Climbers are slower growing but have more showey flowers and are good for growing against fences and low walls. Hybrid Teas , Floribundas and Polyanthas can sometimes become climbers and have the same characteristics as the bushes.

Tree Roses can be developed from any type of rose. They are made by grafting a bush o­nto a long thick trunk. These look great o­n a patio or porch.

Shrub Roses are normally small, hardy fairly continuesly blooming bushes that can be used as hedge (hedges can grow to 5 or 6 feet and provide inexpensive privacy and color), thicket and trellis (trellis roses can add a beautiful accent to a yard or home entryway and can be made into an arch) roses. There are even varieties that can be used as ground cover o­n embankments or planted in hanging pots.

Today roses come in hundreds of varieties with new varieties being developed every year and in an almost limitless number of colors and color variations. It has been my experience, however, that usually the darker the color the heavier the scent. Most white roses seem to have no scent at all.

If you choose the right roses for the right place you can add beauty and elegance to any garden, patio, porch or balcony without spending large amounts of money or time.

What could be better than kicking back after
a hard day’s work and enjoy watching
butterflies flit peacefully around your very
own garden? Here are some tips for making your
fantasy come true!

- Butterflies love color! Choose a variety of
plants for best results.

- Plant flowers in groups. These are easier
for butterflies to see.

- Butterfly-loving flowers include Hibiscus,
Rosemary, Asters, Daylilies and Black-eyed Susans,
among others.

- Provide both sunny, open areas and shady o­nes
for butterfly sunning and resting.

- A little overripe fruit is delicious to your
colorful winged friends!

- Plant some flowers in pots you can move around.

- Discover what butterflies are native to your
region in the US.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm

- Share the beauty! Plan to entertain often in
your butterfly garden!

- Be cautious using insecticides; most are toxic
to butterflies.