English roses, also known as David Austin roses, are renowned for their beauty and delicate fragrance. These hybrid roses offer a great diversity of colors and shapes, making them unmissable stars of gardens and bouquets. However, their cultivation requires some knowledge and tips to guarantee their abundant flowering and optimal health.
Choosing the Right Location
First of all, it is essential to choose the right location to plant your English roses. They generally prefer a sunny location, with at least six hours of full sun per day. Also be sure to provide them with well-drained soil, as roses do not like excess humidity. If your soil retains too much water, you can improve its drainage by enriching it with compost or sand.
Prepare the ground
Before planting your English roses, it is recommended to prepare the soil in advance. Start by removing weeds and stones to ensure a suitable environment for your roses to grow. Next, dig a hole twice the size of your plant’s rootball, making sure to loosen the soil thoroughly. Add compost or decomposed manure to enrich the soil with nutrients, which will help your roses thrive.
Plant the roses
To plant your English roses, first soak the roots in water for about two hours. This will rehydrate the roots and encourage their good regrowth. Next, place the plant in the center of the hole you prepared, making sure the graft union is at ground level. Fill the hole with the soil you previously loosened and tamp lightly to eliminate air pockets. Finally, water your rose thoroughly to help establish its roots.
Water regularly
English roses require regular watering, especially during periods of drought. It is recommended to water deeply once or twice a week to allow the roots to hydrate well. Be careful not to overwater, however, as excess water can lead to root rot problems. To avoid this, prefer watering at the base of the plant rather than watering the leaves.
Fertilize regularly
To ensure abundant flowering and healthy growth of your English roses, it is important to fertilize them regularly. Use a fertilizer specially formulated for rose bushes, following the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, it is recommended to apply the fertilizer in spring, just before the flowering period, then repeat the operation every two months until fall. This will provide your roses with the nutrients they need to grow and flourish.
Prune the roses
Pruning English roses is a key element in their care. It helps stimulate growth, eliminate dead or diseased branches, as well as maintain a harmonious shape. The best time to prune roses is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging branches. Prune roses by cutting just above an outward-facing bud of the plant, which will promote good air circulation and prevent disease development.
Fight against diseases
English roses are often subject to certain diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust or downy mildew. To prevent these diseases, it is recommended to adopt some preventive measures. First of all, be sure to space your roses well when planting to promote good air circulation. Next, avoid watering the leaves, as humidity encourages disease development. Finally, if you notice signs of disease on your roses, do not hesitate to use specific products, such as fungicides, to treat them quickly.
Understanding English Rose Varieties
One of the often overlooked yet crucial aspects of successfully growing English roses is knowing the different varieties and their specific needs. Although all of these roses are grouped under the name “English roses”, they have distinct characteristics that influence their growth, their resistance to disease and even their scent.
Fragrance diversity
The scent is one reason why so many gardeners and florists are drawn to English roses. But did you know that each variety has its own distinct scent? Some roses give off a sweet, fruity scent, while others may have more spicy or musky notes. When selecting roses for your garden, take the time to smell them and choose those that awaken your senses.
Resistance to climatic conditions
Not all English roses have the same resistance to different climatic conditions. While some varieties can thrive in cooler climates, others require more consistent sunlight for optimal flowering. Additionally, cold tolerance can vary greatly between varieties. Doing preliminary research on the varieties you are considering will help you make an informed decision.
Habit and growth
English roses also come in different sizes and shapes. Some varieties can be trained into compact shrubs, while others can grow vigorously and require more space. Knowing the expected growth of each variety will allow you to plant your roses strategically, avoiding overcrowding or uneven growth.
Selection according to use
Finally, depending on whether you want roses to beautify your garden, to create a natural hedge or to pick them and add them to bouquets, certain varieties will be more suitable than others. For example, some English roses have longer, straighter stems, ideal for cutting, while others are better as ornamental plants.
Secrets of breeding English roses
The art of breeding English roses is a fascinating aspect that allows enthusiasts to obtain new varieties while preserving the desirable traits of existing roses. Although it may seem complex, with the right techniques and increased patience, it is possible to replicate these magnificent flowers at home.
Cuttings: a popular technique
Cuttings are a common method for propagating roses. To do this, choose a healthy stem of an English rose that you wish to reproduce. Make sure this stem has at least two or three buds. Next, remove the lower leaves and plant the stem in well-draining soil. With time and proper care, this stem will develop its own roots and become a new plant.
Seeds: for the most patient
English roses can also be propagated by seed. However, it is a method that requires a lot of patience. After the rose has bloomed and the petals have fallen, a fruit forms, often called a “rose hip.” Inside this fruit are the seeds. These seeds can be planted, but it is essential to note that germination can take a long time, and not all seeds will necessarily produce new plants.
Transplant: combining the best of both worlds
Grafting is a technique used to combine the characteristics of two different roses. It involves attaching part of a rose (the scion) to another rose (the rootstock). This method is often used to combine the hardiness of one variety with the beauty or scent of another.
Hybridization: creating new varieties
Hybridization is the art of crossing two different varieties of roses to create a new variety. This requires hand-pollinating one rose with pollen from another, then waiting for the fruit to form and the seeds to ripen. The seeds are then planted, and the resulting new plants are observed for their unique characteristics.
