Green Finger Gardening

When one thinks of an antique, a rose might not immediately come to mind. But antique roses have been around for centuries. Shakespeare used the word ‘eglantine’ when speaking of the rose in his sonnets and plays. Eglantine is described in the dictionary as a European rose with sweet-scented leaves and pink flowers.

If you aren’t familiar with the word ‘emporium’, it means a large store with a wide variety of things for sale. There are antique rose emporiums to delight rose growers. You can buy an antique rose already rooted from a rose emporium.

How does one prepare to grow an antique? First choose an area that allows for several hours of morning sunlight. It is best to give the plant room for healthy air movement as the bush will grow and develop. Break the soil well; a tiller is helpful should you desire to plant many plants in one area. It’s better to have rich soil in which to grow your antique. The antique will do better if you add good quality organic material and if the soil has proper drainage.

When does one prepare the area for planting the antique? It’s best to prepare in the spring or summer if you live in a southern climate. When you are new to planting, it is an easy assumption that all planting should be done in the spring. But it depends on the climate of the area where you live. If you are buying seeds, there are usually helpful maps on the back of the seed packets to use as a guide. If you are buying from a nursery, be sure to ask there. Of course, you could always try looking it up online or going to the local library or enlisting the advice of an established gardener.

How long can you keep an antique in a container before planting outdoors? If needed, you can keep an antique in a container for several months. You’ll want to give them more attention than once you get them established outdoors. Remember to fertilize and water frequently—and don’t forget proper drainage and air flow around the plants!

Should you add mulch to your antique roses? A true-blue gardener would gasp at the neglect to add mulch! It cuts down on weeds. This may seem strange since it aids the growth of one type of plant and inhibits the growth of another. Mulching also means less stress to your roots from the heat.

How often would one water an antique? It helps to deep-soak your antique once a week—that means saturating the ground in which you have planted your rose. Several hours or overnight should do the trick. This is where it is extremely helpful to have a soaker hose for soaking more than one plant at once.

An antique rose is not disease free, but it is disease resistant. It’s still important to watch for insect or other damage. Should you spray, it is preferable to use a mild fungicide. If in doubt, read the labels on the product carefully. Prune your antique lightly and respectfully. It won’t bloom well if the new growth has to endure damage from heat or frost.
Don

www.greenfingergardening.com

The American Rose Society did not at first accept the term ‘floribunda’. Is a rose that is crossbred a true rose? I suppose that would be a matter of opinion. Roses are highly crossbred. A floribunda could be dubbed the modern rose. You might think of it as an enhanced rose, bred to bring out the best in a flowering plant.
So, what is a floribunda? Although many varieties have been developed, a floribunda is a hybrid that was originally a cross between a polyantha and a tea rose. There was a man who developed many varieties in 1920; his nickname became Papa Floribunda.

This flower is grown mainly for garden color. The floribunda grows lower, which can be a positive attribute. Known as a cluster rose, the floribunda tolerates neglect better than any other rose type except shrub roses. A floribunda is a good landscape choice because it can provide an almost nonstop source of color.

Positive aspects of the floribunda include: abundant flowers, long-lasting blooms, versatile for landscaping, can be used as a hedge or just to accent the landscape, some have a more intense fragrance than most other roses, and they have a delicate appearance.

Negative aspects include: not eligible for Queen of Show, need plenty of feeding, fare far better on a regular feeding schedule (be sure to consider this if you are the type of person who forgets to feed your plants or just doesn’t have the time to devote to a regular feeding schedule), takes 3 years to reach maturity, has shorter stems, and has a small size.
Floribundas will be healthier with good air circulation; so when pruning, it helps to leave the center of the bush open. If you have trouble remembering when to prune, prune near a holiday or a special day during the pruning season. If you leave the older canes when pruning, you are rewarded with larger amounts of color later. Also, take care to remove a cane that rubs another. Pruning will aid in air circulation, which helps to cut down on insects and disease as well.

Other things to remember to maintain healthy floribundas that are grown in pots are: plenty of root space, good drainage, a pot that is heavy enough to sustain against wind should the pot be kept in an area more susceptible to windy conditions, a pot that is wide enough to provide stability. [ A word of caution: saucers under pots can invite root rot.]
Even in floribundas, chemicals are needed to control problems. Concentrates must be applied with care so as not to cause leaf burn.

Some interesting names of existing floribundas are: Playboy, Playgirl, Pure Poetry, Eye Paint, French Lace, Show Biz, Cherish, and Trumpeter.

If you wrap your roses in paper or foil, then plunge them deep into water, it will keep their stems from sagging should you desire to display them.

The word floribunda alone could be a helpful source of entertainment for a gardening parent. Give your child a pencil and piece of paper while you garden and ask he/she to see how many words they can make from the letters in the word floribunda!
Don

www.greenfingergardening.com

Many of us garden because we want to grow our own fruits and vegetables. An attractive landscape or curb appeal may be the goal of others. Gardening, no matter what kind, can also be therapeutic. For many people gardening relaxes the mind, body and spirit. Actually, it is not gardening that’s relaxing but the way that we approach it. If gardening is seen as a chore, it’s stressful. If we view it as enjoyable, it can help relieve stress.

Focusing on your gardening task is the key to relieving stress. Digging, chopping, and hitting motions can relieve stress and tension. In some settings, people hit dummies, slam pillows or hit into thin air but motions of gardening release stress. Strenuous activities also provide an outlet for pent up aggression. Strenuous activities are certainly not the only ways to relieve stress. Something as simple as a walk around the garden may be just what the doctor ordered. When you take your walk, be sure to absorb all the colors, fragrances and designs in the garden. You can also admire your gardening skills and this is sure to reverse the stress into a state of well being.

Here are some pointers for your stress free gardening:

Make a short “to do” list and stick to it. Don’t try to do everything in one afternoon, evening, or weekend because this is sure to manifest as stress. Attack garden chores with the same vigor as weight-lifting, running, or swimming.
Stop and rest periodically reviving yourself with some stretching and plenty of fluids. Listening to music while gardening can add a pleasurable environment with the calming effect of your favorite tunes. Teach your children how to garden. Not only will they be learning a lifelong skill but will cherish the time spent with you.

Stress is at an all time high in the society we live in today and is the root cause of many diseases and chronic illnesses. Learn how to quite your mind and tune out the noise by having brief moments of internal silence. If you don’t have the yard or space to denote your own gardening skills, volunteer! There are many places that have horticultural therapy programs that are in need of volunteers. Schools, day cares, nursing homes and hospitals are great places to start looking to volunteer.

Gardening has many other advantages, too. Growing your own produce supplies you with fresh fruit and vegetables for your summer meals. This is always too a great avenue to share the harvest with friends and family. What’s better than home grown tomatoes from your own garden? Being out in the sun in limited amounts of time gardening also supplies you with vitamin D. Sunshine brightens your spirits and will give you that sun kissed glow. Remember moderation is key when being out in the sun.

Gardening usually requires a lot of bending and lifting. Doing it the wrong way can put a lot of strain on your lower back so a good technique for planting or weeding is to squat. Put one knee on the ground rather than bending at the waist switching knees every few minutes. Kneel on a small pillow or purchase knee pads which you can buy at a department store, hardware store, or gardening shop. Also use caution when lifting shrubs or bags of soil or waste. Try to keep your back straight and bend at your knees. Use your legs instead of your back to lift the weight. Be careful not to twist your body and if something is too heavy to lift then wait on help. Gardening is an excellent way to relieve stress for all ages but remember to do it safely and over time. Gardening can become not only a stress reliever but an fulfilling hobby to share with your friends and family.
Don

www.greenfingergardening.com

Antique roses, also called Victorian Roses, are said to be strong survivors and the most fragrant of the roses. The word antique applies obviously to its history. An antique of any kind, however, will catch a collector’s eye. What better to put near a museum, which houses antiques, than a flowering plant also named antique? Antiques of all kinds have gained in popularity over the years. It makes sense that a flower with similar name, would gain as well.

Although very well-known in the southern states of the United States, an antique rose plant can also be found in other parts of the globe, including China, Canada, and Russia to name a few. Some places in the United States that are known for antique roses are: Brenham, TX (Antique Rose Emporium), Sebastopol, CA (Vintage Gardens), Laurens, SC (Roses Unlimited), Eustes, FL (Seminole Springs Antique Rose and Herb Farm), and in Canada (Pickering Nurseries, Inc.).

If you want your roses to stay strong in the winter, you must be sure to not neglect them in the summer months. A healthier plant is a hardier plant. It is said that the fall’s cooler temperatures will stimulate the antique rose plants. It makes sense when the cooler weather also stimulates us humans. Doesn’t a cold shower tend to get the blood flowing? While I wouldn’t recommend giving your roses a cold shower, except by nature’s own rain, I wish only to make a point.

Many people start roses from cuttings. I am not one blessed with a “green thumb”, so I have yet to try this. It is interesting to think that only a piece of another plant could produce a thing of such beauty when tended properly.
Certain things should be taken into consideration when growing antique roses. Things such as the PH balance of the soil, insects, proper grooming and pruning, fertilizing, fungus, mildew, and a late freeze are some things to guard against.
Certain things that a rose might coax for your viewing pleasure, are bumblebees and butterflies. There are sure to be human visitors ready to pour their admiration for your beautiful antique roses.

Keep in mind that some plants will bloom only once a year, so make your selection carefully. Be sure to consider your climate as well. Protect your investment and you won’t be disappointed. The price of quart sized pots range anywhere from $5.95 to $15.95-US dollars.

Antique rose memorabilia can be found in many shopping places that sell flowers. If cash is an issue, you can check discount shops, auctions, garage sales and flea markets.

You can find items with antique rose themes in jewelry, paintings, valances, lamp shades, bedding, photo frames, stationery, and posters, to name a few.

Just the name, “Antique Rose”, carries a hint of romanticism, class, and a certain sophistication. There is the old saying that a rose by any other name is still a rose! Ahhh, but the many kinds we are blessed with! And the name of this such kind seems to demand respect.
Don

www.greenfingergardening.com