Growers Success Summit 2012

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present on roses for the Corona Tools Growers Success Summit 2012.  I had a great time sharing on this topic. They have made the presentation available online for those who missed it.

Growers Success Summit – Principles of Planting & Pruning

Boundless Possibility – New Article For ShelbyCo Magazine

This time of year makes me extremely hopeful…. Spring is coming, but it is also a time of reflection. In my latest article for ShelbyCo Magazine, I explore the boundless possibility of gardening and personal development.  I hope you will link on over and read it. Your comments are always welcomed!

Boundless Possibility 

 

First Rose Delivery of 2012 – ‘R.K. Witherspoon’ – Hybrid Tea

It felt like Christmas all over again when I arrived at home yesterday. A large box was sitting on my doorstep.  It was the first rose delivery of 2012. A rose from Witherspoon Rose Culture in Durham, NC.  The rose is ‘R.K. Witherspoon’, a creamy white hybrid tea. Having been notified by email that the rose was to arrive this week, I had already filled a new 10 gallon container of my soil mix, I was ready for its arrival.

I am very careful who I order roses from. I read up on a company prior to ordering. Not only from their website, but also the message boards, Facebook & Twitter postings and word of mouth from my fellow rose growing friends. It matters to me that they company selling me roses actually cares about the roses they are packaging and sending to me. I had only heard good things about Witherspoon Rose Culture.

The key to shipping bare root roses is keeping them moist in shipment so the roots do not dry out. I could immediately tell that this rose was packed with great care. Notice the wrapping of the entire rose.

When I removed the outer covering to reveal 5 beautiful canes and a carefully wrapped root system.

I unwrapped the root covering to reveal a root system covered in moist moss. This kept the roots moist in transit and the outer coverings held the moisture in.

When I removed the moss, it revealed the root system of the rose. Notice that this is a “grafted” rose. The rose has been grafted onto rootstock and has formed the ball or “bud union” from which the canes have emerged from.

Notice the larger roots are what I call the “foundation” roots” and the tiny fibrous roots are the “feeder” roots. The smaller roots actually take in nutrients that the rose needs to survive, and the larger provide anchoring and support of the upper structure of the rose. The absence of either of these root systems spells death to a rose. Notice how large the root system is and will be below the soil? This is one healthy rose!

As I do with all roses planted in my garden, I soaked the root system overnight in Haven Brand Soil Conditioner. This provides further hydration for the rose before planting.

A rose of this caliber requires a container large enough to grow in. I have six of these 8 gallon containers for new roses this year.

Now planted, let the growing begin!

Preparing For New Roses

Well, its February in Alabama. And to me, that means a time to make adjustments in my garden. I am preparing for a dozen new roses (3 hybrid teas, 3 floribundas, 3 miniatures, 3 David Austin English roses) that will be delivered by months end, and some of our roses are being relocated in the garden into color groupings for the best possible show. I moved three “Queen Elizabeth” grandiflora to a corner in front of “Old Blush” and planted them  in a triangle. This will give a burst of pink in that corner of the garden… It will also keep the hounds from digging around that section of the fence……

Each year I order new roses in the Fall for Spring shipment. Being in USDA haridness zone 7b/8a, late February is a great time to plant them. This past weekend, I constructed a new raised bed, and purchased six new over sized pots; three of which will be lined up in front of our garage :) I will be mixing my soil recipe this week and will fill the bed and pots ahead of time to allow for some settling of the soil to occur.

On Sunday I took this brief video of our dormant rose garden inside our fence. All but 20 or so of our roses are planted in this area. The video is not that great, but it does give a glimpse of what my garden actually looks like in winter. When in full bloom, I will post again from this vantage point and we will see how much a few roses can brighten up the space…..

In America, Some Dreams Do Come True – Presidential Roses

In a world where we sometimes begin to believe that our dreams can’t come true. One of mine is coming together this week.

The office of President of the United States is one that has been occupied by only a few. They, for their term of office are considered to be the leader of the free world. They face incredible scrutiny and also exultant praise.   Our Presidents and First Ladies have come from all walks of life and each have their own style and for some, a rose named in their honor. As our nation presses onward toward another election, and the debates drone on and on, I am once again dreaming of roses.

Way back in 2007, I blogged about the possibility of a presidential rose bed. A rose bed with only roses named for Presidents and First Ladies. Several things have kept me from realizing this dream, but as I have learned with most things in life; Be patient. When the time is right, it will come to pass.

Last fall, I had the opportunity to purchase 2 Ronald Reagan hybrid teas. As I mentioned in a previous post, I love this rose, not only for its striking beauty, but it was President Reagan who signed the proclamation declaring the rose our “National Floral Emblem”. ARS rating: 7.7

This week, I purchased a “Lady Bird” hybrid tea named for the beloved First Lady, “Lady Bird” Johnson. Her establishment of the Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin secured her place in the hearts of gardeners everywhere. I can remember as a small boy, watching her on television waving a gloved hand “plant a tree, a shrub or a bush, beautify America!” It was no surprise to me when they announced a rose named in her honor. ARS rating: 7.2

Next in this Presidential rose bed, is the “Barbara Bush” hybrid tea. A beautiful soft coral pink rose; it is said to be a source of inspiration in the garden. ARS rating: 7.4

Mr. Lincoln will round out my collection. He has been a favorite in our garden for several years often reaching over 8 ft tall in the summer. This rose certainly lives up to its namesake. ARS rating: 8.3

As I plant these roses, I am thankful for the incredible blanket of protection we all sleep under each night as Americans and I rejoice in the knowledge that we continue to inspire the world with a government elected “by the people and for the people” and to be a place where even the smallest of dreams can come true…….

Nothing Ventured……..

Albert Einstein once said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”  With that in mind, what new roses are you planning for this year?

I have at least 15 new roses coming this Spring. That will put me over the top on my “road to 100″ quest. Not sure where I will go from there. I am slap out of room!  Well, maybe I could line up some nice pots in front of the garage, who uses that garage anyway???

Roses Worth Planting

I made my annual January pilgrimage to Hannas Garden Shop here in Birmingham. I never make a purchase on this trip. Instead I check out all the new roses they have just received and size up my order for February.  They are our largest local rose supplier and I have never gotten a bad plant or rose from them.

Now in Alabama (zone 7b), you can plant roses in late February. In fact, most of my mail order roses arrive the last week of February or the first week of March.

On today’s trip I found several roses that I have found to be real winners. I don’t grow all these myself, but know people who do and in this climate they come highly recommended.

“Fourth of July” – Climbing Rose

This beautiful rose is a tall climber. Several friends grow this rose and it is a smashing hit in the garden. Full of color and huge blooms, you will love this climber…

Julia Child – Floribunda

If you have read this blog for any length of time you will know that I not only grow this rose, but I love this rose! It is highly disease resistant and a prolific bloomer.  MUST HAVE!

Moonstone – Hybrid Tea

If you love cut long-stemmed roses, you’ll love Moonstone. Classic rose form. Slight fragrance. It is also a good show rose. Beautiful Color.

Cherry Parfait – Grandiflora

I love this rose. Planted enmasse, it really makes a statement. WOW! The color varies with the seasons from dark red and a little white, to white with a little red. If you don’t have a grandiflora, give this one a try….

Barbara Streisand – Hybrid Tea

I like this rose not only for its form and color, but also for its namesake and how this rose came to be named for Ms. Streisand. It is said that when approached about having a rose named after her, they suggested that she come to the growing fields and select a rose from the trial rose grounds. She selected a rose, but before she would allow her name to be placed on it, she had specimens of this rose planted in her own garden and tended them for several seasons before she would allow them to use her name on it. Pretty admirable.

So, why not give one of these a try this year? Or, if you’re me, you’ll want to try them all!