Taking the time to smell the roses,Don’t we all just love the roses! Societies and clubs have grown up all over the world, based on their popularity! A couple of centuries ago, roses were not grown for their beauty, but for their usefulness. Roses were used in syrups, jellies and conserves, confectionary, rosewater, pot-pouris, sweet bags, and medicinal remedies. The petals were mixed in salads, and even sandwiches made with them. Tea was made from the leaves of the dog rose, and rose hip conserve was very popular, and we have an early recipe below!
All roses are best planted from bare root cuttings in winter. The roots can be cut back to 6 or 8 inches. They will sprout vigorously from the cut ends, so keep them short and straight, not curled around in the hole. The Old Roses don’t need to be drastically pruned, just tidy them up a bit by cutting off the dead flowering shoots.
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Make sure the roots do not come into contact with the blood and bone, and that the grafting union will be about an inch or two above the soil. Compact the soil half full around the hole, water thoroughly, and fill in the hole when the water has drained away. Mulch well, but keep the mulch away from the stem, or it may rot. If planting bush roses, trim back a little. Climbing roses do not need to be pruned when planted. When established, roses like organic manure and compost. Any growth from below the grafting join should be cut off.
Click here to read all about Patrick O'Brien's new book "How to grow Beautiful Roses!" Prune roses in winter, its not hard to do, and this will produce better quality blooms later.
The idea is to remove all dead wood and twiggy growth; remove branches that cross over each other; keep the center of the bush clear of branches; and cut back remaining branches to a sound ‘eye’. This ‘eye’ is found at the base of the leaf. If in doubt, prune lightly, the object is to ensure that there is enough space within the bush to be able to provide room to accommodate the flowers. The old roses are described as ‘a rose not bred within the last 50 years.’ Old roses were not designed to be the glossiest, or showiest, or the largest most perfect flowers. Old roses are much-loved survivors. They have endured for generations of humans. They are much coveted, and have been handed down amongst friends for many years. Most are easy to grow, and root easily from cuttings. Many of the “old’ roses are ancient garden plants form Turkey or China. The Damask rose for instance, is believed to be descended from the ancient cultivated Musk rose, or the wild Turkish rose.
In the US, heritage rose groups have saved many Old roses from extinction, by gathering them up from old churchyards and abandoned gardens. The large shrub roses are all wild species, or hybrids of wild species, as are the climbing roses. There are about 150 species of wild rose. Rambling roses are simply climbing roses, but generally called ramblers if they have smaller flowers. Climbers have smaller flowers in masses, father than in smaller clumps. Planting one of each, and of a different color, in close proximity, provides a magnificent show in flower, with the larger and smaller flowers intermixed.
For Rose Petal Jelly, cook petals with diced apple, When cooked, put the pulp into a muslin bag, squeeze thoroughly, and hang over a pot overnight to get all the jelly. To every pint of jelly, add one pound of sugar. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Then put in as many petals as the liquor will hold. Boil until the jelly sets, when tested on a cold plate.
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Click here to find out about Patrick O'Briens new book "How to Grow Beautiful Roses!
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