Protecting your Tree Roses

  

 
 

 

 

  

 

A fantastic method of adding height and depth to your rose garden is through the addition of strategically placed tree roses.  There are several benefits to the added height tree roses provide to your landscape.  From a design perspective you instantly add a second story in your garden with roses atop a single tall cane.  This provides the look of fullness without the feeling of being overcrowded… and gives you more planting space beneath.

Early in the season, when your other rose shrubs are just starting to stretch out after an off-season pruning, tree roses provide your garden with a head start.  Since their foliage begins above other roses, gardens which include tree roses fill out earlier in the growing season.  By giving consideration to height when designing a layout for your rose garden you can incorporate miniature or compact roses, traditional shrubs or perennials or annuals of various growing habits and tree roses to create not only a lofty feel but showy color at different heights.  This method provides an alternative to tall pillars of color often created by a layout using only similar sized rose plants.

  
 

 

 

  

 
 

 

    

Other added benefits include the health of your roses and the health of your own back.  In addition to adequate water and sunlight, roses need plenty of air circulation to help prevent disease.  If roses are packed together in a garden it can thwart sufficient air flow and leave them susceptible to certain types of ailments such as mildew.  The added height tree roses provide help keep circulation in your beds by not cluttering the area near the soil.  Tree roses place beautiful flowers at the perfect smelling height.  You won’t have to strain your back to take a whiff nor remove the old spent blossoms.

Although tree roses provide many advantages there is a small price to pay.  These beautiful floriferous fountains of color atop sturdy stock benefit from some extra support.  Providing support need not be complicated or expensive as there are several options depending on your tree’s needs.

 

 
       
Coffee Bean
 

Before hammering a few stakes in ground we should consider our individual requirements regarding the weather conditions in our area and where the tree roses are placed within our gardens.  If you reside in an area with frequent and sustained winds then you may need a more substantial support than less wind-prone regions.  Also consider how protected individual plants are within the landscape.  Whether your tree roses are protected from prevailing winds by fences or other structures will help determine if extra precaution and support is necessary.

Note if the wind in your area tends to blow in one direction of if it changes with the seasons (or even in the same day!)  You will want to place the support on the side that any breeze originates.  If you live in an area prone to high winds from multiple directions then you may need to use two or possibly three supports especially on taller trees.  This can be avoided by selecting areas for trees that will have some natural shelter from these winds.

  
       

There are many choices available to gardeners for providing support to tree roses.  Wood stakes are a cost effective material, at least initially.  Wood submerged in the moist soil around the base of roses (remember how much our roses like water) will rot over time.  Certain wood like cedar and redwood are more resistant to this but can still deteriorate in a relatively short period of time.  Avoid “pressure treated” wood since it has chemicals that will leach into the ground around the roots of our plants.

 
 
       

 

If you decide to use wood check the structure several times each season, especially before the winds of fall and winter.  The wood will commonly fail around the base our just below ground level.  If it’s starting to crack or signs of rot are evident replace the support before it’s too late.  Remember if a support fails during a wind storm both the support and the rose stock are likely to break.

Galvanized metal pipes provide a rust resistant and sturdy alternative to wood.  Purchase a matching cap for the top which provides a good surface to hammer the pole into the soil (and provide a more finished look).  Although these pipes can appear a bit “industrial” they provided a long lasting support that won’t break or rust.  You can decorate the post if you wish but they’ll pick up a nice patina with age.

 

  
 
 

Feel free to be creative by using other elements such as old garden tools (think upside down shovel or hoe).  You may even be able to anchor a tree rose to one end of a trellis.  For all materials make sure the post is buried to sufficient depth to provide adequate support.  This will depend on your soil (e.g. soft, sandy soil will require a deeper placement than hard clay).  And bring enough of the support just into the ‘head’ of the tree rose to prevent further wind breakage.  Watch for irrigation lines or other buried utilities before driving anything into the ground.
 
When securing the tree rose to the support avoid thin twine that can cut into the canes of the rose.  Wide, flexible plastic tape is available at nurseries and garden centers and is specifically made not to damage plants.  It is also easy to tie and will expand slightly as the plant grows.  Don’t tightly tie any material around the rootstock but use loops on the plant side to allow expansion.  Secure the material on the post side so it won’t slip down the pole.  In wind swept regions you may want to add a tie support part way down the post.  Just a little extra precaution will pay off as you elevate the beauty of your garden to new heights.