did you know?

The rose has been England’s national flower since 1485, when the houses of York, represented by a white rose, and Lancaster, represented by a red rose, united with the marriage of Elizabeth of York to Henry VII, signifying the end of the War of the Roses.

general maintenance:

When leaf buds open in spring, remove winter-damaged branches, and crossing and weak canes. After early-summer flush of flowers, cut back horizontal side branches by half. Renew old, declining bushes at this time by removing oldest, woodiest cane; tie in a new, vigorous cane as a replacement.

pests/diseases:

Fungal diseases (black spot, powdery mildew) may stunt and discolor leaves or defoliate entire shrubs, especially in humid regions. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles.

controls:

To discourage fungal diseases, avoid wetting foliage, and remove and dispose of fallen leaves. Spray a mixture of 4 teaspoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon horticultural oil per gallon of water; repeat weekly. In Zone 10, strip remaining leaves from shrubs at spring pruning. For aphids and spider mites, use horticultural oil, following package directions. Handpick Japanese beetles, and destroy.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil, and amend with well-rotted manure or compost. Plant container-grown roses in spring or fall (at least a month before frost) at the same level they were in the pot. Plant bare-root roses in early spring; before planting, soak entire plant in water for 12–24 hours to replace lost moisture. Dig a 2-by-2-foot hole. Return some soil to hole, forming a 1-foot mound. Place plant on the mound, fanning out roots. Set bud union just above soil level. Cover roots with soil, and water thoroughly, but do not fertilize at this time.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season; use soaker hose to give roses an inch of water weekly during dry weather. Once newly planted bare-root roses break dormancy, feed with an all-purpose fertilizer at half rate, following package directions. After the first season, feed with balanced organic fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer at first bloom, and spray bushes with kelp extract in early fall.

garden hint:

In the humid east, 'Bobbie James' is suited for Zones 6–9. To extend the hardiness range a zone or more northward, protect through winter by mounding a mix of 1 part sandy loam and 1 part compost 10 inches high around and over the bases of the bushes, then wrap principal upright canes in burlap. Apply the mix in late fall when cold weather has settled in. Remove burlap and half of mix in spring when roses' buds swell, and rake out remaining mix for mulch.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Deciduous
• Disease Resistant
• Fragrant

garden uses:

• Climbing
• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

clematis varieties selected to extend the bloom season and create beautiful color combinations or less vigorous varieties of honeysuckle, such as goldflame honeysuckle At Turkey Hill, Martha underplants the rose arbors with a mix of violas and minor bulbs, such as grape hyacinths spring beauties and star flower