22,795 Garden Web Discussions | Roses
I agree, helpmefind.com is an excellently resource. I am a newer rose gardener and was excited when I finally learned there are usually multiple photos, by clicking the "photos" tab on the top left corner. Very dark red roses do exist, here's one, http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.35457&tab=1
I prefer to buy roses from nurseries that are planted in pots and have a flower open, that way I can see the bloom form and smell the scent. I also find they tend to survive better as they have better root systems and leaves, plus I get to pick the best looking plant.
Actually I've always just put the cedar mulch (shredded mulch, NOT dyed) over the bare soil. Where the original owners of our house planted the 12 bushes (many of which I have replaced) over 22 years ago was in a strange place. They planted directly (almost touching our brick house (south side). Before I knew anything about roses(except that they loved water, but not to water as the sun was going down)--I had a soaker hose. I soaker hosed them constantly until our contractor told us we were going to have basement foundational problems if I didn't stop this. So then I started watering when we had a dry spell or hot, rather than constantly. They seem to do fine between that and God's watering. Anyway, I used to add soil every year, and started getting more of a "hill slant" to the soil. When I watered, it would flow down onto the sidewalks and water the roses. My brother in law originaly put bricks along the edge, but that was 20 years ago, and they have sunk in. I'm afraid to add more soil for fear of the dreaded hill syndrome. Should I be adding soil ever so often???? Yikes. At this point of my life (since we live with my mom, and she will be 86 this year), don't know how long we will be here--so wouldn't want to dig them out & start elsewhere. They seem to rally back & do beautiful most of the season where they are anyway (except last season). They have the nice brick duplex to protect them from too much wind & cold. The sun most of the day since they are planted facing the South, and I winterize well every winter.
Since you want to put them in the ground now is the time to do. You want them to grow those new roots into the soil where they are going to live, not in a pot you're going to take them out of. Besides, those pots they're in are way too small and will be full too soon.
Water the roses very well the night before you want to plant them. When you transplant them dig your holes first and prep them and water them. Then try and just slip the existing root balls out of the pots and into the new holes. Back fill about half way and then water. Fill the rest of the way and water again. Keep them moist but not drowning until they start to get new growth and then fertilize at half strength.
This sounds like an excellent cool weather rose. I took mine out in spite of the fact that it grew really well and quickly because the blooms, few as they are in the heat, fry within five minutes. Planting the right rose for your garden is at least half the battle.
Thanks for the advice. We haven't done anything to it this year (as far as feeding). We've had more rain this year than the past two years combined! There are quite a few blooms but they're nothing like they were the first time they bloomed after we planted it, they're small, not as healthy and not the array of colors (that makes it a "Joseph's Coat...coat of many colors").
We actually tried to find another bush or two. No one has them. My SIL found some online from Home Depot. Might order a couple more :)
Can someone tellme what to treat this rosebush with please? Some of them have spots, are healthy. It's on some of the leaves as well.
