ROSE RAMBLER 23.1.2014

Hello dear rose friends … phew!  Don’t you stand in awe of the roses as they tolerate the most incredible weather events like this massive Victorian heat-wave and still continue to flower?  The potted roses look absolutely sensational because we kept them very well watered and they were fed just ten days before the real heat set in – roses actually LOVE the hot weather provided they have good irrigation.  It’s no wonder that roses are becoming increasingly more popular!

In extreme hot weather the flower colour can change.  In some of the darker varieties, the colour will intensify where the pale varieties will actually bleach.  An example of this is a hedge of ‘Crepuscule’ which appears to have creamy/white blooms all over when the rose is actually deep apricot.

When I do garden consultations for the really warm zones, I always highly recommend some bright/strong coloured roses be planted amongst the pastels so that your eye is drawn to take a closer look and the rose garden is always interesting.

GRA’S GARBLE … 

The jokes first please Mrs. Editor.

Q.  What do you get if you cross a sheepdog with a bunch of roses?
A.  Collie flowers.

Trim, trim, trim.  Roses are not just dead-headed – you MUST cut stems at least 30cms from the finished flower to ensure good strong re-growth which in turn will produce another mass of blooms within 45-50 days.

If you are planning a special occasion at your place sometime in the coming months, trim 50 days before the event and I guarantee you will have stunning roses blooming then.  Be sure to apply one handful of quality organic fertilizer to each rose bush and deep soak weekly – you’re set to impress!

Grow some ‘GREENS’ amongst the roses.  Silver beet, chard, spinach, parsley – all greens which provide Vitamins A, C, K, calcium, zinc and magnesium which are vital trace elements.

Sharpen and clean your secateurs frequently and they’ll be a pleasure to work with … go out and trim, trim, trim with a smile on your face!

Gra.

PLANNING AHEAD … 

If you are a member of a Garden Club, Probus Club, U3A or similar organisation, I urge you to start planning a group visit for the weekend of

Here at Silkies Rose Farm we will be hosting complimentary morning/afternoon teas along with ‘WALK AND TALK IN THE GARDENS’.

Group bus travel will be subsidised by $10 per passenger with free entry to the Art Expo in Kilmore.  Maybe you can organise a couple of car-loads of friends who would enjoy a day out in the country – please contact me and I will arrange the subsidy for your travel expenses.

If your group would like us to come and speak with them to ‘sell’ this opportunity for a great day out, please let me know.

ROSE OF THE WEEK …

‘TROPICAL SUNSET’ is an outstanding performer in all weather but tolerates the heat exceptionally well by producing stunning dark crimson new foliage which is a beautiful foil for the creamy-orange and yellow splash of colours in each petal.  This stunning Hybrid Tea is a healthy tall bush which flowers freely, continually and the flowers make wonderful arrangements in a vase.  There is a light, sweet fragrance to enhance the overall beauty of this aptly named rose.

 

IN CLOSING …

Have a happy week in the garden with the little people in your life as they go off to school soon;  share this little ditty with them:

           “Let my words, like vegetables, be tender and sweet;
for tomorrow I may have to eat them”
– author: Unknown.