Rosa species, Rosa cultivars

rose

Plants of Home and Garden, Trees and Shrubs, Herbs

Seed experiences dormancy, and is sown in early fall, or chip and sow 2" apart, kept warm for 1-4 months, stratified in fridge 2-3 months, and sown out. Can take several growing seasons to germinate. Once established, provide with ample water and sunlight; good drainage to at least 1 1/2-2' essential, though heavier soils also tolerated. Fertile soil appreciated, as is very good light, though some forms tolerate considerable shade. Note that named cultivars typically do not grow true from seed. Zone 2-10

Use flowering shoots for stem cuttings, several nodes long, remove flower, and treat with moderate-strength rooting hormone. Plant, keep in good indirect light. May transplant again when roots appear in 2-3 weeks. May also use hardwood cuttings, later in year

Transplant larger specimens, i.e. store-bought plants, into 1 1/2' holes, after pouring in a small heap of rich organic medium, and lower roots onto this. Set the bud union of grafted plants at ground level in warm climates, 2" below ground if exposed to frost. Water then mulch for first few weeks

Bare-root specimens should never be allowed to dry out, and be planted as soon as possible, as described above. If unable to dig them into their final locations, then "heel" them in: bury in rich moist soil slanted almost horizontally, with only the tips of the branches sticking out

Some of the so-called species roses do well in drier climates: Rosa acicularis, Rosa arkansana, Rosa rubrifolia, as do some cultivars; species roses are very suitable to natural-looking gardens. Rosa majalis, May rose, Rosa gallica, French rose, and Rosa canina, dog rose, are also quite useful in this setting, as is Rosa rugosa, the Japanese rose, which tolerates heavy winds. These species variably hardy zones 4-9

Rosa damascena, the damask rose, is the main source of rose attar; Rosa gallica officinalis is the apothecary rose; both are hardy to zone 5

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