22,153 Garden Web Discussions | Roses
I bought Sundowner at Menards 2 years ago and it has survived the two brutal winters since with exceptional fortitude. Of course all HTs and grandifloras die back to ground level in this climate (so plant it deep--as Seil says) so the real test is how well they rejuvenate in spring. Mine is already as tall and vigorous as any HT/grandiflora growing among dozens. One of my best roses.
Read goncmg's comments in Columbus OH for details on how it wants to grow tall, even in this climate.
Roses are heavy feeders . They like it rich in organics. Root competition can be a problem. The forsithia may win the battle. The forsithia roots will sneak into the the nice rose soil. A rhisome barrier would do the trick. A big piece of metal like an old street sign in the ground to block the roots. But that is a lot of work.
A normal topsoil layer is around 10" deep and the fine roots of roses mainly develop between 2" and 10" even if the good soil goes deeper. So I normally recommend that poor soil need be amended only about that deep. But in most gardens the subsoil is clay and heavier than the topsoil. It serves as a reservoir for water. Sand as subsoil is more of a problem because it retains hardly any water, and, paradoxically, a heavier topsoil will not drain into sand below. It creates what is called a "hanging water table" if you want to learn more about it.
I would dig the area around 18" deep and incorporate a 2" layer of clay (use clean, plain kitty litter) as well as several inches of compost, including some manure. Look up the "double digging" technique that is used to add amendments at depth.
Sara Ann,
From someone who just moved last month, downsizing, because our two kids are in high school, and while we are a little ways from retirement , we built this home thinking it could be our retirement home if we do not leave Southern Nevada.
It has been WORK trying to downsize into a 4 + 3, and trying to determine what to do with property more than 3 times the size of our last is a challenge. After 6 trips to a donation facility, we still have 1 1/2 10x 20 storage units. I brought 60+ roses in pots, should have put many of the roses in smaller pots. It has been three weeks, we are still unpacking what is in the garage and five roses are in the ground as we continue to work with a landscape designer. I am in my forties and cannot imagine doing this in ten years or so. We decided that if another move is in store, we will just sell or donate almost everything, and move on with a little trailer of special items attached to a truck.
While we aren't minimalists, we are not pack rats either. I do not know if you have looked around to see just what moving will entail? If you have your druthers, would you want to move now or later? Seems as though the time to move being soon, and benefits you will gain, could possibly outweigh the negatives.
Lynn
This is free advice so take it for what it's worth. Go. Go as soon as it is reasonably possible. And start planning now for the eventualities that go with a move and with aging. Get rid of everything that you don't need. Store what you can and get your home ready to sell if that's part of the plan. Start making changes in the next home now and even consider moving in whatever plants and outdoor equipment that you'll be taking. Moves don't get easier if you wait. I've been through this before plenty of times with husband and children and I, along with my brothers and sisters, helped my mother move after my father died. Mom was not used to moving and tended to think emotionally rather than rationally even in better times. It did not go well, but we got through it. But that's a story for another time.
Now Mom is in her 80's and is still, well, herself, except that she has physical limitations that affect living where she is and taking care of the property. My husband has talked to her about making future housing and living decisions now while she is able, before an emergency may require that they'll be made for her. She doesn't hear him. I see this going worse than the first time. And we are not as young as we were 20+ years ago, either.
This is a blessing for you and your husband on many levels. You have your health and have a daughter and son-in-law who can help you. You can move in at your own convenience. It's a great place. You'll be near your grandchildren. The rose garden is just gravy. I'm sure there's a down side to this, there always is. But think long and hard about putting off moving.
Rosaholic I am in Western Australia! Rather far away from where you are. There are 4 rose nurseries in Perth so as long as the variety has been introduced into Australia it is not hard to find. I am a complete fragrance maniac so I don't think I can devote my limited garden space to any non-fragrant roses.... thanks for your input though.
thanks for all the comments. Will have to do further investigation on plant. The only bud on plant is the red one lower on the plant. The rest of many canes do not have any sign of buds. May dig up to see what root stock looks like and decide from there. Stay Tuned for further developments. Pembroke
Thanks Cynthia for the shopping info, maybe someday..... :-)
Carol, My blue irises stopped blooming for 2 years, just leaves. Someone told me to replant them, I just forgot to do that. Is it too late to replant them now?
Not looking, NOT looking - okay yes, those are gorgeous and I covet them. But I will resist...
Cynthia