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Re: Welcome to the world of Roses.



Jeaa1224 wrote:

> Dear Bob Campbell:
>
> Do you have to deal with humidity in Southern Ontario? We're in the Chicago
> area and can experience zone 4 winters but our humidity is also very tough.
> Last year I put in a small hedge of Henry Hudson rugosas which did beautifully
> (we had a mild winter) throughout the summer and are lovely this year (they
> are situated below various lonicera vines  which  have had a botrytus attack
> and could use non-chemical advice if anyone has some and if the roses are now
> in danger from same). Do you have some Z.4 hardy roses to recommend for our
> humid summers that are own-root?

We don't have a humidity problem here in our part of the province- at least not
compared to say Georgia and Alabama. Actually we've been pretty dry the last two
years-more than I would like since I can't afford to water regularly or the well
will go dry.
I'm not sure how well any of my favorite roses will take high humidity, but based
on zone, I would recommend Gallicas, Centifolias, and Albas as being well able to
handle the cold.
Unfortunately all of them are once blooming.  If you have the space in your garden
they are well worth inclusion because of the flower display they put on when they
are in bloom.
Some of the hybrid perpetual roses can handle cold better than hybrid tea roses as
well.  I have Mrs. John Laing, which has survived several winters with good snow
cover as it's only protection, although I generally put about 8" of mulch over the
crown just to be on the safe side.
Some of the Austin roses are more hardy than hybrid teas as well.  Hero and
Leander have both survived without protection other than snow cover at -30
Celsius. I make no promises that they would for you, and advise mulching them as
well.  Many of the Austins would not make it though as they seem to have tea rose
genes prominently featured.  Gallicas and Albas do not seem particularly blackspot
prone, which would be important in areas of high humidity.  Austins are often
blackspot prone, particularly the reds.
Have a look at http://www.halcyon.com/cirsium/rosegal/welcome.htm (don't know if
that will come out as a link or not).  There are some excellent pictures of roses
and recommendations that you will find useful.

Bob Campbell
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