Last week a few Master Gardeners tackled the monthly task of deadheading (removing the faded blooms) the roses. Removing the old blooms will encourage the plant to rebloom, if it is the type of rose that will rebloom. Here is a short video covering the basics of Deadheading Roses and you can read more about the benefits of deadheading by going to this Rose Magazine article.
Knock Out roses do not need to be deadheaded to rebloom, but you may prefer a tidier look. We do not deadhead our 'Home Run' roses, but do for the other Knock Outs. Some of the roses that are looking particularly good right now are Lady Elsie May, Cinco de Mayo, Ballerina, and the Double Pink Knock Out Tree Rose. The miniature roses seem to always be in bloom. Not everything is a success in the Arboretum's gardens. Two of the bare root roses planted earlier this year did not survive the heat and drought conditions that arrived shortly after planting them.
The rose varieties in the Arboretum's Rose Garden are always being evaluated for their ease of care and ability to hold on and look great with our area's climate. If you've always wanted to grow roses be sure to stop by to see what might thrive for you, too.
