Re: hydrangeas & roses





Valerie Lowery@ZEON
09/04/98 11:27 AM

Of course if you still want roses, you can avoid all of the chemicals and
grow rugosa roses.  In fact, they dislike chemical sprays of any sort and
the leaves will die.  I live in a hot and humid summer climate in zone 6a
and don't feel like doing high maintenance in the heat for any plant nor do
I have time to coddle anything.  Trust me with the rugosas -- I do no
maintenance for these roses other than a once-a-year granular
fertilizing/manure dump in the spring.  I might deadhead if I get around to
it to keep the blooms going a while longer, but it's not necessary to keep
up the health of the plant.  No bugs ever harm them and blackspot has yet
to be spotted on any leaf for the past three years.

I've killed enough hybrid teas to fill a small garden.  After going through
whole seasons of frustration trying to pamper these finicky things for a
few blooms and an ugly, leggy bush, I gave up.  If you're willing to
sacrifice a bit and go for those roses of a carefree, blousy, old-fashioned
sort, rugosas are your best bet.  I wouldn't have a rose border if it
wasn't for these!

Warning:  most rugosas grow much taller and wider than your hybrid teas.
It is bushier than what you might be used to.  It is not for the postage
stamp gardens.  I would estimate that my biggest bush is about 6-1/2 foot
tall and about 5 foot wide because I don't prune it.  It has thrown up
suckers and is spreading -- might not be good for you, but it allows me to
spread the joy.

Val in KY
zone 6a


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