Bush Roses – Easy To Have Around!
There are several spectacular bush roses readily available to us in our local nurseries, some are well know to the avid gardener, while others, to my amazement, still remain unfamiliar. Needless to say, they are no substitute for stem roses if you want cut flowers in the house (stem roses hold the flower longer once cut, give you much more length on a longer stem and are unlimited in variety and color.) Bush roses on the other hand are very heavy bloomers, generally don’t get any taller than 2’ to 3’ and require “shearing” rather than pruning in January. In addition to all these good traits, they generally are pest and disease free. Rust and black spot, the major troublemakers to roses, seem to play a lesser role with bush roses. They work wonderfully as a showy hedge or can be incorporated in planting areas to compliment your existing landscape. The most impressive ones, and the lesser known are:
Tomora – 3’ high
Compact rose, with gorgeous apricot-pink-yellow flower. Shaped like deep cups in the style of the romantic roses of past centuries. Leaves have a red tinge to them which makes a stunning contrast to the flower. Scented.
Gruss aus Bayern (Greetings from Bavaria)
Deep red, medium sized flowers. Heavy bloomer. Blooms practically all year round. Easily grows to 3’, maybe a little taller.
Simplicities
White and red simplicities are very attractive and take quite a bit of shade compared to other bush roses. When kept at about 2’ they are generally quite good bloomers, not anywhere as impressive as the (other two) above mentioned, and fill out nicely. Left to grow any taller they tend to look rather “skinney”. They also come in pink and yellow. The pink is definitely the least attractive of the bunch. The yellow is awfully good looking. The leaf is such a dark green, and shiny, so it complements the yellow wonderfully.
In my opinion, these are excellent choices for your garden. All roses need full sun, light afternoon shade (later in the day) is good in the hot months. Remember, good drainage is essential, as with all plants, and don’t forget to feed them throughout the growing season. If you mulch the soil around the base of the rose, you will help conserve the moisture and keep down the weeds at the same time.
