roses
It is a common misconception that rose gardening is the domain of expert gardeners. With a large variety of types and growth habits, a rose bush can add colour and fragrance to almost any garden. Many roses can survive Calgary's harsh winter climate with little more care than a flowering shrub or perennial, while other more tender varieties need winter protection. There are two main classifications that will be used for the purpose of Calgary rose gardening - hardy shrub roses and tender roses. greengate carries a large variety of roses, both hardy and tender. Please feel free to consult our helpful greengate staff if you have any rose questions.
Hardy Shrub Roses
These easily grown Calgary favorites are suited to novice and expert gardeners alike. Those who want summer roses without the winterization needed by tender roses find these to be an excellent option. For those gardeners who want decorative hedges and borders, these roses with their shrub-like growth habit are often ideal.
Explorer
Developed in Canada and named for early Canadian explorers, these disease resistant hybrids bloom prolifically on new growth. Many varieties bloom all summer, with others blooming twice, in early and later summer.
Parkland
Developed in Manitoba expressly to survive through Canada's winter, these compact shrub roses will bloom and re-bloom throughout the summer.
Rugosa and other Shrub Roses
These roses are vigorous and hardy with very prickly stems. They come in a large variety of colours and are usually fragrant. These plants are good for hedges and garden beds.
Climbing Roses
True climbing roses do not do well in the Calgary climate. There are, however, some tall, hardy shrub roses that can be trained to climb a trellis or a fence.
Tender Roses
Tender roses are those roses that require protection to ensure survival. The huge variety of bloom sizes and colours make these tender roses a beautiful addition to many Calgary gardens.
Hybrid Tea Roses
These garden favorites feature large flowers on long stems, with usually one flower per stem. They make excellent cut flowers and come in many varieties and multiple colours.
Floribunda
Large quantities of smaller flowers are presented in clusters on these bushy plants. With their shrub-like growth habit and abundance of flowers, floribundas are an excellent choice for garden beds and border plants.
Grandiflora
This combination of hybrid tea and floribunda roses produces large vigorous plants, and flowers on long stems. Flowers on grandiflora are present both singly and in clusters. They make good cut flowers.
Miniature Roses
These perfect, scaled down versions of hybrid tea and floribunda roses come in a stunning variety of colours. These miniatures will bloom continually through out the summer and can be grown both in and outdoors.
Rose Maintenance
Watering
Roses are heavy feeders that require water at all times during the growing season. A lack of moisture will slow or halt blooming and growth. It is important that the soil has good drainage and that water never collects around the roots of roses.
- Allow the soil to become dry only a little below the surface
- Water deeply at the base of the plants but not enough to allow water to collect for any length of time.
- Mulch may be added to increase moisture retention in hot, dry weather.
Deadheading for flowering
As your rose blooms whither they should be removed from the stem. Remove head at a shoot or leaf junction to encourage further flowering
Pruning
see Pruning section for detailed instruction
Fertilizing
Roses benefit from regular fertilizing, such as 20-20-20, 15-30-15 or 20-30-20. Fertilize only until about the middle of August. Later fertilizing stimulates new growth, which could be harmed by early frost. Fertilizer does not make roses (or any flower) bloom. They bloom when they receive enough sunlight, although some will stop blooming in very hot weather.
Winter protection for Tender Roses
Prune long stems down to about twelve to eighteen inches (45 cm.)
Water in well
Mulch heavily at base with dry leaves, vermiculite or straw
Cover stems with a rose cone with the top cut out.
Fill container with mulch, and cover the open area with cloth to allow air circulation during chinooks.
Do not cover too soon in the fall. Wait until considerable frost is expected. Covering too soon stops them from getting cold and entering dormancy, which is necessary for their survival. Uncover in spring when poplar trees are leafing out. Uncovering them too soon to see if they are alive is likely to kill them during another frost. Be prepared to cover them when frost is expected.
Note: Snow is an excellent insulator and may be piled on both shrub and covered tea roses for added moisture and protection.
The Colour Language of Roses
- Red - Love
- Pink - Grace / Gratitude
- White - Worthiness / Purity
- Yellow - Jealousy