Category: Roses

Plants, Roses

Roses—What to do in Spring

The following rose care calendar is from the book Growing Roses Organicallyby Barbara Wilde.  These suggestions are for zones 7 and 8.  Spring is a great time for roses! March:  Finish planting bareroot roses early in month, finish winter pruning early in month, check irrigation systems, sow annuals to attract beneficial insects. April: Plant containerized roses. May: Release beneficial insects if necessary, plant containerized roses, gather … Continue reading Roses—What to do in Spring

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Book Reviews, Roses

Book Review—Growing Roses Organically by Barbara Wilde

On the first page this book makes the questionable claim “these pages will teach you all you need to know to start your rose garden right”.   All I need to know?  All I ever need to know?  All that is absolutely necessary to grow roses?  It seems unbelievable, yet after reading this book, it may be true.  At least I feel prepared with the … Continue reading Book Review—Growing Roses Organically by Barbara Wilde

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Plants, Roses

Roses—Keep diseases out with horsetail!

Our world will never be without horsetail, so why not put it to good use?  Prevent rose diseases, mildew and rust with this horsetail infusion.  This weed that lasts till the end of time (Equisetum arvensis) contains calcium, iron, magnesium, molybdenum, potassium and sulfur.  Good stuff for a foliar spray.  Dry horsetail plants, crush them and store in an airtight container.  To prepare horsetail infusion, … Continue reading Roses—Keep diseases out with horsetail!

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Plants, Roses

Antique Rose—-Rosa gallica

This is the last of the famous four (alba, damask, centifolia and gallica).   I would like to see all of them growing side by side to differentiate between the foliage and blossoms.  Any ideas where?  The gallica is known as the apothecary’s rose.  An apothecary in the old days was the pharmacist, herbalist or medical practitioner.  This rose was a staple in the medicine … Continue reading Antique Rose—-Rosa gallica

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