Although it is debatable, there are many people who would agree that roses are the most beautiful natural creation. Roses are delicate flowers that come in many different colors. There are yellow, white, pink, and probably the most beautiful of all, the red ones. These flowers grow on shrubs, and there are several different types. There are the glorious tea roses. Another type is the magnificent floribundas, and then there are the grandifloras. These glorious flowers have been around forever, and these wonderful flowers have long been a symbol of beauty and special feelings. All together there are hundreds of different types of roses that grow mostly in the northern hemisphere. For those who also want to know more about garden Bark, the supplies of Bark or compost, you can check online.

Roses are cultivated by many gardeners who pride themselves on the success of each and every beautiful bloom. These beautiful flowers grow on shrubs that bloom often through the spring and summer months. Successful gardeners prune, water and nourish their bushes so they bloom year after year. Many of these gardeners belong to societies and clubs that are specifically dedicated to the cultivation and presentation of the most beautiful flowers. Growers enlist the help of expert botanists to grow the most magnificent and strongest plants possible. The experts continue to produce new varieties of roses that bloom more beautifully all the time.  

Growers and florist store owners make millions of dollars every year by selling these beautiful flowers.  The growers have special facilities where experts devote themselves to the cultivation of roses. Often these people run gigantic facilities that are manned by many skilled people. These growers often have large greenhouses where their products are produced. The growers sell much of their product to local nurseries where the clients buy bushes to add to their gardens. These growers also sell millions of dollars of their product to florists who sell these to be delivered in many places around the world.

These roses are popular because their beauty is a way to express love and affection without words.  The growers and florists do a huge amount of business on special holidays including birthdays and anniversaries. People buy these fantastic flowers to express their love and devotion to their spouses, parents and children. Some people pick up these beautiful gifts at the grocery store or a local florist while other people send these with a delivery man. The roses can be purchased on the phone or internet and then sent around the world within seconds.  

Using a trellis, arbor and pergola to grow your rose

• A trellis is simply a two dimensional frame that will need some form of support. The support can be either stakes, wall supports, or posts.

• An Arbor is an arch with enough room to walk under and it might be 2 to 3 feet deep.

• That pergola might be built with 6×8 posts, 2×10 joists, and be held together with heavy bolts.

Now, let’s start with the trellis. On the one hand you can stop by the plant store and grab a three foot high wire trellis for very little money.

Or, if you like, you can build (or have someone build) a 10 x 15 foot Pergola, for a little more time and money.

Then there’s everything in-between. You can have your dinner party under one. Halfway between these two are deep arbors with seating. Imagine sitting beneath an arbor or pergola that’s completely covered with fragrant flowers (of course, you have to be thinking about what you’re going to grow on these things.)

Growing Stuff on a trellis

Now you have to grow something onto the thing,  whatever it is. Let’s start with the small, wire trellis you grabbed from the store. You’re not going to grow a wisteria on that wire trellis, it would eat it like a small snack. A good choice for that small trellis might be a rose like Lifelines. (This is a beautiful miniature climber that might get to six feet.) Not exactly pergola material, but perfect for a small structure in a… Continue reading →

Rose Diseases – Tips for Managing Them

In making sure your prized roses stay in the very best of health, it is important to know what it is you are looking at. Here are some simple tips to follow.

Black Spot

This is commonly known as “black spot disease” and is caused by a fungus, Diplocarpon rosae where black circular spots with fringed edges appear on the leaves. It appears most frequently in moist climates.  It causes the leaves to yellow and defoliate prematurely. The remedy is to remove all infected leaves and collect any fallen leaves around the rose to prevent additional spread of the fungus. Then use an organic fungicide spray on and around your plant to ward off this rose disease.

Powdery mildew

“Powdery mildew” is a fungal disease that infects leaves, stems and buds with a wind-spread white powder. It makes the leaves curl and turn purple. Before spraying with an appropriate fungicide, remove and destroy all infected parts, thin and prune to improve air circulation, and water your plant at the base not  from above. When treating with a fungicide, examine the label to ensure it is safe and effective for your roses. Look for ingredients such as: potassium bicarbonate, neem oil, sulfur or copper. You might also try a home remedy of baking soda and liquid soap as a preventative.

Plant rust

Blistered underside of leaves is another disease caused by a fungus. It is characterized by orange-red blisters that turn black in… Continue reading →