| Q: |
My husband and I recently moved
to Monument, CO, from Seattle, Washington. We are wondering when to
prune or not to prune our rose bushes here in the landscape. The
landscaper's map shows the roses are Sea Foam Rose and we have many of them.
I don't want to do anything that would be the wrong thing to do for the
elements of Colorado. Can you give me some help? C. R., Monument,
10/5/07 |
| A: |
There are several steps to
winterizing roses in Colorado. Clean up fallen leaves to prevent disease
organisms from over-wintering. Sea Foam rose is a shrub rose and needs no
pruning in fall. Wait to prune it in spring. Once night temperatures have
been below freezing for several nights place a layer of soil or mulch over
the crown of the plant. A rose collar helps to keep the mulch in place.
Water the roses once or twice a month during winter when the ground isn't
frozen.
|
| |
|
| Q: |
I have ten rosebushes that
line the walkway to my front door. All were purchased from grocery or
department stores and planted three years ago with varying colored roses
-yellow, lavender, apricot, red, pink, with one exception. I received a
rosebush for my daughter's funeral with miniature pink roses which was
not purchased as the others were. Every one of my rosebushes is
blossoming with deep red roses this year. The miniature pink rosebush
has not got blossoms yet, but I am afraid it, too, will bloom with the
deep red roses. What has happened? I am so disappointed. Usually
my husband prunes them in the fall but due to ill health, they were not
pruned until about 4-5 weeks ago. H. V., Loveland, 5/29/07 |
| A: |
Most roses sold nowadays have
been grafted onto a hardy root stock. One of the most commonly used
root stocks is a red rose. Our winter weather killed the part of the
rosebush that had been grafted onto the red rose, leaving only the part
below the graft alive. That is why you now have only red roses. Fall
pruning would not have prevented the dieback. Some gardeners put rose
collars around their roses in late fall. These are filled with mulch to
provide insulation in cold weather. You can also bury the crown of the
rose with a mound of soil and gradually remove it in spring. Hopefully
the miniature pink rosebush didn't die back to below the graft like the
other roses.
|
| |
|
| Q: |
I am looking to plant some
roses. I live in Edwards, CO. What roses are going to grow well here?
What zone am I in? M., Edwards, 3/12/07 |
| A: |
I believe you are in USDA hardiness zone
4.
|
| |
|
| Q: |
I know spring is the time to transplant roses, but can I prune and
send bare root roses out of state now? Thanks for your help. J.
R., Boulder, 9/25/06 |
| A: |
You should schedule sending bareroot
roses out of state based on when bareroot roses are supposed to be
planted in that state. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Hi, I live in Falcon,
Colorado, and have a rose garden that is not doing as well this year and
am wondering why? The roses have been fertilized and are very slow
growing this year. The buds are opening but they are opening up damaged
as if they have been burnt along the edges. The roses don't have as
many blooms and the blooms are smaller. Do you have any advice or info
that could possibly help me make them healthier? Our weather of course
was dry over the winter, but during this summer the weather has been dry
w/ some moisture. I do water them regularly and we haven't had any
severe weather. The wind has been strong at times. Any advice would be
greatly appreciated. C. G., Falcon, 7/2/06 |
| A: |
Be sure to use a rose fertilizer,
rather than an all-purpose fertilizer when fertilizing roses.
Fertilizers that are high in nitrogen will promote leaf growth but limit
flower production and size. Keep the roses well-watered. Inspect the
plants for pests and treat if necessary. |
| |
|
| Q: |
When can you plant roses in
Colorado Springs? D. E., Colorado Springs, 3/20/06 |
| A: |
Bareroot roses can be
planted in early spring, preferably by mid-April. Container-grown
roses should be planted after the danger of frost is past. The
average date of the last frost is about mid-May along the Front
Range. |
| |
|
| Q: |
I live in Denver and have some
Ruby Ruby roses. I will appreciate your telling me how to winterize
the roses. B., Denver, 11/21/05
|
| A: |
To help the rose
survive winter, here are some steps you can take: Once
night temperatures have been below freezing for several
days, cover the crowns of the plants with soil. Then, build
up a layer of mulch over the lower portion of the rose
bushes. Rose collars are helpful with keeping the mulch in
place, especially when it is windy. You can use bark,
compost, dried leaves or hay as mulch. Some gardeners place
pine boughs over rose bushes for additional protection. If
we have a dry winter, winter watering is helpful. |
| |
|
| Q:
|
I am going to move into a new home in a few weeks and the
new home has lots of rose bushes that I want to transplant to another place
in the yard. I live in Melrose, New Mexico, and I was wondering if you
can tell me when is the best time of year to dig them up and transplant and
how do I go about it? V. F., Melrose, NM; 9/28/05 |
| A:
|
Wait until late winter or early spring to transplant
the rose bushes. Water the roses the day before you
transplant them. Prepare the holes before digging up
the roses. Using a spading fork, dig up the roses and
plant them immediately. Water them well and keep the
soil slightly moist while they take root. |
| |
|
| Q:
|
I bought my father 2 William Baffin climbers from a nursery in
Ft. Collins several years ago and they have provided abundant blooms even
during last year's drought. This year the foliage showed signs of chlorosis
and no amount of fertilizer corrected the problem. Because some of the canes
looked like they had succumbed to disease I pruned several of the thickest
to 4 feet, leaving 2 of the healthiest, longest canes supported by a
trellis. His home is in the Palmer Divide area around 7200 feet and the
plants are located against an east facing stucco wall. The soil was well
amended prior to planting and are watered at the base twice a week. To what
can I attribute the chlorosis and what damage have I done by over pruning
the one bush so severely? Can I do anything in preparation for winter to
insure healthier plants next spring? C. M., Colorado Springs, 9/6/05 |
| A:
|
To correct problems with chlorosis apply chelated
iron. To harden off plants in preparation for winter do
not fertilize them past mid-August. Also, begin to clip
off spent flowers right below the blossom rather than at
5-leaflet leaves. Gradually reduce watering. Once the
weather gets cold, pile soil or mulch over the crown
area to protect it. Rose collars will help keep the
soil or mulch in place. Spring is the best time to
prune climbing roses. They should be fertilized in
spring and summer. |
| |
|
| Q:
|
I just moved into a rental home that has a rose bush that's
about 5 feet in height and fans out about 5 feet as well. There are
absolutely no blooms on the bush and I've noticed other rose bushes on my
street with blooms on them. What can I do to bring this rose bush back
to it's full blooming potential? I'm excited to see what kind of
blooms it will have! A. P., Denver, 8/31/05 |
| A:
|
Roses bloom in different ways and times.
Some bushes bloom only once each season while
others are repeat bloomers. If the bush gets
little sunlight it will produce few blooms. To
encourage bloom, prune the rose bush in spring
just before it leafs out. (Usually pruning can
be done in mid to late April.) Cut the canes
back to about 2 1/2 to 3 feet. Fertilize the
rose in spring and summer. Keep it well
watered. |
| |
|
| Q:
|
I have just bought a house in
Boulder and am a rose fanatic. Here in Georgia I have been busy with lots of
climbers and am hoping I will be able to re-create something in Boulder.
Could you possibly advise me on any hardy repeat blooming roses for Boulder.
I particularly enjoy climbing/rambling roses, repeat bloomers if possible,
pinks, whites and reds preferable. Any advice/contacts would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks. A. S., Atlanta, GA; 1/19/05
|
| A:
|
You will find growing roses
a bit different here in Colorado. On the positive side, roses tend
to have fewer diseases due to the dry climate. Hardiness is a
factor, especially for climbing roses. Therefore, you should avoid
buying climbing sports of hybrid tea, floribunda or grandiflora roses.
Canadian roses are often successful here.
There are many resources
available. Harlequin's Gardens, a nursery in Boulder, specializes in
roses. (See
http://www.harlequinsgardens.com.) I believe they sell a
very useful booklet by the Denver Rose Society "Growing Roses in
Colorado." This is a "must have" for new residents
who want to grow roses. It provides information on when/how to
plant, pruning info, pest control, etc. Also, you might be
interested in joining the Boulder Rose Society. (See http://www.boulderrose.org.)
Some hardy climbers
that are repeat bloomers include these:
John Cabot --
deep pink
William Baffin
-- deep pink
Blaze -- medium
red
New Dawn --
light pink fading to white
Don Juan -- red
Golden Showers
-- yellow
John Davis --
pink
Louis Jolliet
-- pink
Good luck with your move and welcome to
Colorado!
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| Q:
|
In Colorado when is it best to
cut rose bushes back? To what height? Is it the same for hybrid
roses? B. W., Lakewood, 11/12/04
|
| A:
|
In Colorado
roses are pruned in late April when the plants break
dormancy. Canes should be cut back to healthy wood,
about 6" to 12" long. When pruning, you
should remove dead or badly damaged canes completely.
If you want large blooms on hybrid teas, leave only about
three or four canes. For more blooms, but smaller
sized, leave five to seven canes. You may leave more
canes on other types of roses.
To protect
the roses in winter you may want to purchase rose collars,
place them around the base of the plants and fill them
with mulch.
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|
| Q:
|
I have a rose bush that I would like to get rid of and plant tomatoes!
What is the best was to eliminate it, roots and all? K. M.,
Longmont, 10/9/02
|
| A:
|
There is no easy way to get rid of the rose bush. First, you will
need to cut off all the canes down to the ground. Then you will need
to dig up the rootball. If the plant has roots that have spread
extensively, you may need to cut these from the rootball to make it easier
to dig the rootball out. After you have the rootball out you can dig
up the soil and pull out the remaining roots. These tasks will be
easier if the soil is slightly moist. Amend the soil with compost
before planting tomatoes.
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|
| Q:
|
What time of year should you plant
rose bushes? What are the best type of roses for Colorado's soil?
J., Broomfield, 9/22/02
|
| A:
|
Bareroot roses can be planted during
winter or early spring as soon as the ground is no longer frozen. It
is best to plant them before the weather begins to warm up. This
allows the roots to become established before the plant leafs out.
Roses sold in containers should be planted after the danger of frost is
past. (This is around the middle of May along the Front Range.)
You may plant container roses during summer also, but need to be
sure they get enough water during hot, dry spells.
Before planting roses, improve the soil by adding a two or three
inch layer of compost and then mixing it into the soil thoroughly.
You may also want to mix in some super phosphate. After planting the
rose bushes you should place a layer of mulch over the root zone to help
the soil retain moisture.
Colorado's weather, more than its soil, is a concern when selecting
roses. For your location, choose roses that are hardy in USDA
Hardiness zone 5 or lower. Provided they are hardy here and are
planted and cared for properly, many types of roses will perform well in
Colorado. For additional information and a list of some roses by
name, please visit the CSU Cooperative Extension website at
www.ext.colostate.edu. Click on "Gardening" in the menu
and then on "Fact sheets." Click on "Flowers"
and then on # 7.404 "Selecting and Planting Roses."
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|
| Q:
|
I need help. I would like to grow TREE ROSES between my boxwoods along both sides of my
front (southwest) facing walkway in Highlands Ranch. I am particularly interested in planting a creamy white old fashioned
quartered center rose, pref. w/ perfume. I am from Australia, and want to replicate an English/Australian colonial
style here. So far, the boxwood hedge is starting to take shape, and survived well,
but OHH! the roses, I desperately want to know if I can also work the
roses into this dream garden!!!!!!
Could you also suggest another evergreen, or deciduous bush w/ attractive
winter 'skeleton', that likes dry conditions and full sun, to line the
front of my verandah, which also has the same south west orientation
mentioned above.
Thanking you in advance. T. F., Highlands Ranch, 5/21/02
|
| A:
|
One of the best sources for roses in
your area is Tagawa Garden Center at 7711 South Parker Rd. in Aurora.
They can help you select tree roses that are suitable for the Colorado
garden.
I'm not sure how large you want the bushes to be that will line the
front of the veranda. If you want something evergreen you might
consider one of the many types of junipers.
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|
| Q:
|
I have been growing roses for many years with rewarding success.
One problem I have never been able figure out is why a few buds will have
a "bent over" / "drooping" neck - while the rest of
the buds on the same bush are fine. Thank you, R. C., Raleigh,
NC; 6/3/02
|
| A:
|
There are several possible causes for
drooping buds. One possible cause is that the rose may be receiving
insufficient water, causing the buds to wilt. To make matters
confusing, if the soil is saturated with too much water, wilting can
occur. Do the buds show any signs of damage such as distortion,
brown streaks, or not opening? If so, inspect the buds for tiny
insects called thrips. Sprays are available to control this insect.
Another more serious cause of drooping buds on roses is a disease called
verticillium wilt. Yellowing of lower leaves on a portion of the
plant, die back of canes starting at the tips, and new canes with very
pale foliage are additional symptoms. Unfortunately, the plant
should be dug up and destroyed if it has verticillium wilt. This
disease lives in the soil. Remove all soil that came into contact
with the roots and spray the hole with a fungicide. Avoid planting
roses or other plants susceptible to this disease in the area.
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|
| Q:
|
I live in Littleton, Colorado in
the Ken Caryl area. Due to the hot weather in the past weeks, my rose bush
has begun to sprout some leaves along one stem. But I still need to prune
(the other main stem). Since we're in the hovering around freezing temps for
several days, will there be any damage? And should I prune at all since
there has been new growth? What is the rule of thumb with rose bushes?
How does one prune a rose bush? M. S., Littleton, 4/20/02
|
| A:
|
You should prune roses in spring
when the bushes break dormancy (leaves begin to form). Avoid pruning
before the third week of April because a late frost will damage new growth.
Remove old, dead and weak canes. On Hybrid Tea roses leave five to
seven healthy canes that you cut back to about 12 inches tall. Leave
more canes on Floribundas, Grandifloras and repeat-blooming Climbing roses.
Shrub and Old Garden roses need little pruning other than to shape them or
to remove dead, weak and interfering canes. The remaining healthy canes
should be pruned by cutting off any winter-killed portion. Make cuts
at an angle about one-fourth inch above an outward facing bud. Pruning
cuts may be sealed with a dab of white glue.
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|
| Q:
|
My grandmother in Pennsylvania
grew beautiful shrub roses. I would like to take a cutting of one of
her bushes to grow in my Boulder shrub rose garden. Can you tell me
how I might do this, or point me to a "how to" book?
Many thanks. S. T., Boulder, 4/5/02
|
| A:
|
You can find several
"how-to" articles on growing roses from cuttings on the American
Rose Society website: www.ars.org.
Point the cursor to "All About Roses." Click on "Rose
Care Articles." Scroll down and click on "Propagation of
Roses." You will find several articles listed that explain how to
grow roses from cuttings.
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|
| Q:
|
What is your advice on pruning
roses (when and how)? N. S., Lakewood, 4/1/02
|
| A:
|
Prune roses in spring when the bush breaks
dormancy (leaves begin to form). Avoid pruning before the third week
of April. A late frost will damage new growth. Remove old, dead
and weak canes, leaving five to seven healthy canes on Hybrid Tea roses.
Leave more canes on Floribundas, Grandifloras and repeat-blooming Climbing
roses. Shrub and Old Garden roses need little pruning other than to
shape them or to remove dead, weak and interfering canes. The remaining
healthy canes should be pruned by cutting off any winter-killed portion.
Make cuts at an angle about one-fourth inch above an outward facing bud.
Pruning cuts may be sealed with a dab of white glue.
|
|
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|
| Q:
|
HI, I moved into a rental house
here in Fort Collins last summer, that has a lovely tall pink rose bush in
the yard. According to one neighbor, the bush has been there at least
20 years. I have looked through every rose book I can find and have
not yet even figured out what class it fits into, much less figured out it's
variety. How can I find out what kind of rose it is? Also, I
want to take cuttings from it to grow in pots so I can take some with me
when I move to a house of my own. When is the best time of year to
take cuttings in this area? Thanks. C. P., Fort Collins, 3/3/02
|
| A:
|
I suggest that you consult the
Larimer County CSU Cooperative Extension office to find out what kind of
rose you have. They are located at 1525 Blue Spruce in Fort Collins.
Take in a photo of the plant in bloom if possible. Also take in a
good-sized sample that includes blooms.
Take cuttings when the rose bush is actively growing in late
spring or summer. It sounds as if this rose bush is a true treasure.
Good luck.
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|
| Q:
|
I am buying a rose bush for a friend
to plant in her garden in memory of her daughter who died. Do you know
of any roses that have the name Dusty or Dana in them? I am also
looking for roses that bloom for a long time! Thanks for your help.
P. P., Antioch, CA; 1/31/02
|
| A:
|
I checked the American Rose Society
website, Week's roses, and Jackson and Perkins roses, but did not find any
with the name Dusty or Dana in them. Jackson and Perkins has a rose
named "Peace" that might be suitable. It is a long-time
favorite. They also have a new rose called "Stairway to
Heaven" that you might consider. Jackson and Perkins also have a
bronze rose marker with the phrase "Planted in loving memory" that
you might like. My Colorado Gardening website has a link to the
Jackson and Perkins site that you can use. Look for "Links"
at the top of the home page.
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|
| Q:
|
I'm in the process of moving to Denver from Southern
California. I have a tree rose garden and want to continue to grow
tree roses once I relocate. Is it possible to grow tree roses in the
Denver area? What winter care do they require? D. H.,
Fullerton, CA, 12/22/01
|
| A:
|
It is possible, but a risk, to grow tree roses in Denver.
You will discover that few are offered for sale at local garden centers.
You will need to choose varieties that are hardy in USDA hardiness zone 5.
Plant them in an area of the yard that protects them from our strong
winds. Keep the tree roses well-watered, disease-free and pest-free
because healthy, robust plants have a better chance of surviving winter
here.
Some gardeners plant tree roses in containers so they can
move them to the garage during winter. Others protect plants during
winter by wrapping them from bottom to top with "tree wrap,"
enclosing the trunk with tar paper, covering the top with burlap, and
building up an 8 - 10 inch mound of soil over the base of the plant.
A more drastic method of protection in colder areas is to loosen the roots
on one side of the plant, dig a shallow trench on the opposite side, bend
the tree rose over into the trench, stake it down and then bury it under
several inches of soil. That shouldn't be necessary in Denver!
If you decide to plant tree roses, I recommend that you start
with only a few and experiment to see what methods prove successful in
your yard before making a large investment. Roses of any type can be
finicky here. The Denver Rose Society and local consulting rosarians
will be happy to share their knowledge on growing roses in our challenging
climate. They have an informative booklet, "Growing Roses in
Colorado." You can contact them at this address: Peggy
Williams, 2788 S. Adams St., Denver, CO 80201; Phone: 303-691-2790;
E-mail: pegwilliams@msn.com.
|
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|
| Q:
|
If I plant a rose bush against
an arbor and/or trellis against my home, will the bush stay on the
arbor/trellis or will it go up the house like a vine? If so, what is
a safe distance? L. R., Boulder, 4/1/01
|
| A:
|
A climbing rose bush will not climb up
the side of a house the way some vines do. Once they get to the top of the
trellis or arbor, the canes will drape over the arbor or bend outward from
the trellis. You will need to tie the canes loosely to the trellis
or arbor to keep them in place.
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|
| Q:
|
I want to plant antique roses in my
yard this year,. Do you know of nurseries in the Denver area that
sell antique roses? E. H. R., Littleton, 2/7/01
|
| A:
|
I contacted
a few nurseries in the Denver area and asked if they would have old garden
roses (antique roses) for sale this spring. Tagawa Garden Center in
Aurora (303-690-4722) said yes. (They carry thousands of roses,
including antique roses.) Paulino Gardens (303-429-8062) responded
no. Echter's Greenhouse & Gardens (303-424-7979) in Arvada said they'd
probably have a few and to check back with them in late March or early
April. Welby Gardens (303-287-0365) said to contact them in late
March to see if they have any.
If you don't mind driving a bit,
Lauren Springer mentioned these as good sources in a 1998 Denver Post
article on old garden roses: Harlequin's Market (303-939-9403) in
Boulder and Windswept Farm (970-484-1124) in Fort Collins.
I recommend that you call these garden centers to verify they have
old garden roses in stock before making a trip there to purchase roses in
April or May. |
|
|
|
| Q:
|
I forgot to prune my roses
this fall. I live in Loveland. Should I do it now or wait
until spring? R. T., Loveland, 1/7/01 |
| A:
|
Do not worry if you didn't prune your roses this fall. Fall pruning isn't essential. Do not prune your roses in winter or early spring. The time for major pruning of roses in Colorado is late April or early May when the rose bushes come out of dormancy and the danger of killing frost is almost past. |
|
|
|
| Q:
|
I live in
Denver, Colorado, and just moved into my first new home. My mother
came for a visit from California and brought some rose cuttings from her
yard from 3 different rose bushes. The cuttings are doing well and
are in small pots inside the house right now. I water them
constantly but would really like to plant them. Is it too
cold? How can I tell if they're ready to plant? How do I
prepare the soil and what side of the yard should I plant them -- do they
need a ton of sunlight? I really want them to survive since they
were brought from my old home -- any help you could give me would be
wonderful! I'm very new to gardening and need all the help I can
get!
K. J., Denver, 12/6/00 |
| A:
|
It is
too cold to plant the cuttings outdoors now. You should keep the
potted cuttings indoors during winter and early spring. Be sure they
get plenty of light and water. Harden off the young bushes in early
May by setting them outdoors for a few hours each day, gradually extending
the number of hours they spend outside. The potted roses can be
planted after the danger of frost is over -- usually around Mother's Day.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and about
as high as the pot. Carefully remove the potted rose from the pot
and place it in the hole. The plant should sit about 1 or 2 inches
deeper in the hole than in the container. To refill the hole make a
mixture of one part compost and two parts soil from the hole. Stir
1/3 cup super phosphate into the mixture. Fill the hole and water
well. Water the newly planted bushes every day or two for the first
week and then gradually reduce watering.
Try to select a site in your yard that gets at least six
hours of full sun each day during the summer. Roses like sun. An
eastern exposure often works well. Growing roses can be a challenge
in Colorado. I wish you luck. |
|
|
|
| Q:
|
I have a
question about
preparation for the winter. How short do I cut my roses and do I need to
pack them with anything (leaves, etc.)? E., Denver, 10/28/00 |
| A:
|
If you wish, you may cut back rose canes to about three feet in preparation for winter. Do not cut back the canes of climbing roses, shrub roses or Old Garden roses at this time. Mound an 8-10" layer of mulch over the base of the plant. You may want to use a rose collar to keep the mulch in place. |
|
|
|
| Q:
|
I have 2 raised bed gardens (8'
x 8') that I plan on using primarily for roses. The soil has been
amended and is watered by a "dripper system". What other
perennials will do well with the roses? I was thinking of Asiatic
lilies and perhaps a peony plant. I could also add annuals. I
had an Obedient Plant in there this year but it grew too large and tried
to take over the space. P. F., Colorado Springs, 8/17/00 |
| A:
|
When you select plants as
companions for roses be sure that they have the same growing
requirements as roses: a sunny location, good drainage, soil
amended with organic matter, and regular watering. Select plants
whose leaves and flowers complement the size and color of the
roses, rather than over-whelming them. Plants with blue or white
flowers are popular companions. Also, plants with silver or gray
leaves offer a nice contrast. You can use annuals and perennials
as well as small shrubs.
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia)
Snapdragon
Candytuft (Iberis) Cranesbill
Geranium
Bellflower (Campanula)
Dusty Miller (Centaurea)
Silver King Artemesia Balloon
Flower (Platycodon)
Silver Mound Artemesia Nierembergia
Lobelia Blue
Salvia (Salvia farinacea)
Ageratum Daylily
(Hemerocallis)
Lavender Coralbells
(Heuchera sanguinea)
|
