A rose is a rose is a rose.
That's the famous quote by Gertrude Stein in her poem, Sacred Emily. It may not make a great deal of sense at first but what Stein was trying to convey is how using the name of something conjures up certain feelings and images we connect with it.
So, what does a rose mean to you? Well, depending upon the color, it may symbolize different things.
Yellow roses symbolize friendship.
Red roses symbolize love.
Black roses symbolize death or morning.
In cultures throughout the world, roses are recognized for their beauty and meaning attached to them. If we stop to think about this, is it any wonder roses are the most common flower to be given as a gift and so popular with gardeners? These iconic beauties are such a pleasure for the eye to behold, and that's why they make great additions to a garden. But another reason to love them which may never have crossed your mind is the fact winter hardy roses can be enjoyed in the winter.
And that's why today, in my series, What to Grow In Winter, I'd like to add two different winter hardy roses to my list of winter bloomers, the International Herald Tribune and General Schablikine.
The International Herald Tribune Rose
The International Herald Tribune, which grows hardily in USDA zones 6b and up was originally bred in the United Kingdom in 1984. This rose blooms throughout the winter time, creating these fantastic purplish-rouge blooms.
The General Schablikine Rose
General Schablikine is another rose that you can enjoy in winter. It grows in USDA zones 6b through 9b, and is classified as an antique tea rose and a climbing rose. It was originally bred in France in 1878. Just look at its beautiful, doubled, pink flowers.
General Tips for Growing Winter Roses
If you're new to growing roses, look into varieties that grow best where you live. Also pay close attention to your grow one. Some winter hardy roses may prefer warmer climates.
When you decide to grow roses, you have lots of options. You can grow them from grafts, seeds, cuttings, bare roots, or potted. In a hurry to enjoy your roses? Consider buying them in pots at your garden center. This is the fastest way to enjoy rose blossoms.
Roses need ample water in stage one of growth so keep the watering tin handy. For more information on watering roses, this is a good resource.
Don't forget to fertilize. Please check out this great resource for fertilizing roses.
Once the rose bush has established a good root system, you'll want to begin pruning. Remove dead blooms and stems to ensure faster, healthier new growth.
6 . Unfortunately, roses can fall victim to pests so consider planting companion plants around your roses. Some companions for warding off pests are garlic, mint, chives, basil, parsley, marigold, and geranium. (Granted, not all these can grow in winter but they are a good idea for keeping rose bushes healthy during other times of the year.)
In case you've missed my previous posts in this series, What to Grow In Winter, here they are:
What to Grow In Winter Series, Post #1: Violas
What to Grow In Winter Series, Post #2: Camellias
What to Grow In Winter Series, Post #3: Crocuses
