22,153 Garden Web Discussions | Roses
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 :)
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.
I do live in the US and I love SUMMER SONG. It does however grow like a climber here, as many of the DAs do. I happened to pot it up in a humongous ceramic pot next to an arbor. I had planted the climber GINGER SYLLABUB in the ground at the arbor, and SS has climbed up past it! So, I just let it do its thing. Blooms pretty frequently. I think I'm the only person in the US who likes it, or has had any luck with it.
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.
I know they dig with machines. Does make you wonder if they hand pruned off root galls.
no, they hire cheap labour to use machines to cut roots before putting them into a cold store.