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| SELF-RELIANT HEIRLOOM ROSES FASCINATE GARDENERS | |
| Published: July 26, 1997 | |
Rough, tough and beautiful they know how to surviveQ:Im looking for information on antique roses including the following: Where can I purchase them? Are they difficult to grow? How do I take care of them? Are they kept in containers or planted in the ground? When is the best time to plant them? What type of soil do they need? How long do they bloom?A:Margie Manuel, a Lafayette consulting rosarian with a special interest in growing old roses, has answered your questions below. Because space is limited, she invites interested persons to call her at 984-4324 for information about roses and membership in the Acadiana Rose Society. Margie notes that the American Rose Society prefers the term "old rose" to "antique rose" to avoid confusion regarding dates for specific cultivars.Margie answers: "You can purchase old roses at several local nurseries. Another good source is a catalog published by Heirloom Old Garden Roses, 24062 NE Riverside Dr., St. Paul, OR 97137. There is a $5 fee for the catalog which provides color photos and a wealth of information. Old roses are generally easier to grow that modern roses because they are more disease resistant. Certain varieties, such as the Chinas, the Noisettes, the Teas and the Hybrid Musks, to name a few, grow better in our climate than other old roses. In addition, some will tolerate more shade than others. Regular spraying, fertilizing and pruning, the tasks associated with modern hybrid tea roses, are not essential for the survival of old roses, although they will usually respond happily to pampering of their special needs. Old roses may be grown in containers or in the ground. When planted in ground, they should be planted in raised beds or mounds. Planting time for bareroot roses is during dormancy in late February. Container-grown plants should be planted in late fall to allow the roots to become established before winter. Preferred soil is light and loamy, slightly acid, and well-drained. Depending on the variety, old roses may bloom in spring only, or in spring and fall, or repeat-bloom from spring through fall. Chinas and Noisettes, for instance, bloom 10-11 months a year." A rusty bed in the garden? Lovely with Confederate jasmine.Q:My husband has brought me a long-wished for treasure, a rusty iron bed frame that I want to use in my garden as a trellis for a Confederate jasmine vine. Will the rust hurt the vine? Also, while on the subject of rustHow does one care for the rusty metal garden furnishing that are imported from Mexico, such as plant stands, shelves, etc. Do these require treatment to be used outside?A:When you think of all the things that Confederate jasmine vines have crawled over, I think youll feel less anxious about your vine on the rusty bed frame. Its in no danger from the rust.Among her other wares, Susan Stander Voitier sells the metal imports at her shop, Atelier, in the Oil Center. She recommends spraying them with a protective coat of Krylon satin-finish, clear polyurethene to retain the rusty look while retarding the rusting process. For a finish that gives greater protection but a darker look, she sprays with any brand of marine satin varnish. |