Rules for planting and caring for ground cover roses, cultivation and best varieties
Ground cover roses are planted not only to decorate the site. This branched plant is able to protect the soil from leaching and erosion. However, despite the strong root system and low requirements for the growing area, it is necessary to adhere to a number of rules for planting ground cover roses, care and cultivation. If all the conditions are met, the plant will bloom for many years.
Peculiarities of the plant
Ground cover roses are creeping plants with a spreading crown. Due to this feature, this culture is able to form a thick carpet of beautiful flowers of various colors on the site.With regard to the group of ground cover roses, several gradations are used, including the following:
- dwarf - bush height - up to 45 centimeters, width - 1.5 meters;
- weak creeping - up to 50 centimeters and more than 1.5 meters, respectively;
- undersized sag - up to 0.4-0.6 meters and 1.5 meters;
- large drop - more than 90 centimeters and 1.5 meters.
The first two varieties of roses, for several years after planting, form a dense carpet formed by numerous rooted shoots. Thanks to this feature, the culture is able to hide the defects of the site.
If you take good care of the plant, then every year flowers with a diameter of 1 to 10 centimeters will appear on the bushes (depending on the variety). When choosing ground cover roses, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the growth of the shrub. Some varieties are distinguished by shoots that fold in an arc as they develop.
How to plant well in the ground
Despite the huge variety of varieties of ground cover roses, the planting of this culture is carried out according to the same algorithm. At the same time, it is necessary to purchase a strong seedling that can quickly take root in a new place.
Seat selection
For the cultivation of ground cover roses, it is recommended to choose sunny places on the southwest side of the site. The plant grows best at an altitude of 50 centimeters. It is not recommended to plant the culture in shady areas with moist, acidic soil.
Soil preparation
Roses should be planted in loamy soils with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Before starting work, the place should be cleaned of weeds, then a mulch of sawdust or shavings with a thickness of more than four centimeters should be applied.To get rid of third plants, gardeners are advised to temporarily cover the ground with a black film.
Recommendations for choosing the time of boarding
In the middle and northern latitudes, it is recommended to plant ground cover roses in the spring. During the summer period, the plant has time to take root. In southern regions, the shrub can be planted in the fall.
Preparation of planting material
Seedlings with open roots are soaked in water for three hours before planting. To speed up the survival rate in a new place, it is recommended to add a growth stimulant. Dead shoots are removed before planting. It is also necessary to cut the seedling along the bud to a height of 15 centimeters. This procedure should be carried out when preparing a plant for planting in the fall.
If the seedling is purchased in the spring, the flower should be cut off so that no more than 2-3 buds remain (for weak shoots - 1-2).
Landing scheme
If 1-2 seedlings are planted, then on the site you need to dig holes 60 centimeters deep and 50 centimeters wide. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the size of the root system. If several bushes are planted at once, then you need to dig a trench of the indicated depth.
Water should be poured into the holes, and the soil should be tamped. This will eliminate existing voids. Then the earth in the hole is filled with water, after which you can dig into the seedling. When the bush reaches 5 centimeters in height, you need to remove excess soil from the trunk and mulch the ground. It is recommended to select the distance between the bushes depending on the plant variety.On average, you can plant up to three roses per square meter.
Follow-up care rules
Ground cover roses do not impose increased care requirements. However, in order to prevent infection with infections, a number of rules must be followed.
Mulching
Mulching is necessary to prevent weeds from growing around the planted bushes and to reduce the frequency of watering. To do this, peat, humus or sawdust should be added to the soil under the trunk. This procedure should be carried out immediately after planting.
watering
It is recommended to water the bushes after the soil layer dries out to a depth of 4 centimeters. Water should be added in the morning. You can not water the plant in the fall. The shrub must prepare for the onset of cold weather.
Loosening and weeding
Due to the nature of growing ground cover roses, it is possible to loosen and weed the soil around the shrub for the first few months after planting. Then the plant will grow in such a way that it will close access to the ground.
top dresser
In the spring, two weeks after the appearance of the first leaves, complex fertilizers should be applied under the shrub. This procedure should be repeated after a month. For the last time, top dressing is applied in the fall, using potassium fertilizers.
Size and rejuvenation
Pruning ground cover roses is not recommended. In this case, every year it is necessary to remove old and dead shoots that interfere with the development of the plant. This procedure can be done in summer or autumn. To rejuvenate the plant, it is necessary to cut the bush every 6-7 years in the spring, leaving shoots 10-15 centimeters long.
Shelter for the winter
If low-growing varieties are grown on the site, then you do not need to additionally cover the plant for the winter. It is recommended to press large shrubs to the ground and cover them with spruce branches. The same should be done for stunted plants if there is little snowfall in winter. From above, spruce branches should be covered with cardboard or acrylic, leaving a small gap between the shoots and the ground.
Breeding methods
Ground cover roses propagate in four ways. In this case, the seeds are mainly used by experienced breeders.
Layers
To get a new plant, it is enough to press the sprout to the ground, fixing it on both sides and water abundantly. Drooping varieties propagate differently. In these plants, in August it is necessary to make an incision 8 cm long on a shoot, insert a match into the hole and press the plant to the ground. A new seedling can be replanted after a year.
Cuttings
In late summer or early autumn, it is necessary to cut off a pencil-thick shoot from the bush. The cut should be made under the lower kidney. Then you need to remove the thorns and leaves, then soak the shoot for 2 hours in a growth stimulator. After that, you need to put the cuttings in a hole 15 centimeters deep, one-third filled with sand. It is recommended to dig the groove in a shaded place.
After planting, the cuttings should be watered periodically. The new plant can be replanted next year.
Seeds
To get a new seedling from seed, you need to follow these steps:
- In early February, soak the seeds in Fitosporin, wrap them in towels, treat the latter with Epin-Extra solution, and store in this medium for 10 days at room temperature.
- Sow the seeds in moist soil, deepening them no more than 50 millimeters.
- Cover the container with seeds with glass and place in a dark place. In this case, the room temperature should be + 7-10 degrees.
- After the appearance of the first shoots, place the container under the sun's rays (phytolamp), removing the glass.
As soon as the first leaves appear, the seedlings should be transferred to separate containers. The plant can be transplanted into the ground next year.
Budding
Budding by gardeners is extremely rare. This breeding method requires long preparation and repeated feeding. Therefore, this method of breeding is common mainly among experienced breeders.
Protection against diseases and pests
Ground cover roses are not immune to common plant diseases. Therefore, the culture must be periodically treated with appropriate means.
Powdery mildew
It develops due to a fungal infection that joins with excessive watering. Most often, powdery mildew appears on young shoots, causing the appearance of white bloom. The affected parts of the shrub should be cut off and burned, and the plant should be treated with medicines or folk remedies, including ash or copper.
Black spot
It also occurs due to abundant watering, which contributes to the attachment of a fungal infection. This disease is manifested by black spots with a yellow border. In the treatment of the plant, liquid Bordeaux or Fundazol is used.
Rust
Another type of fungal infection that causes leaves to turn yellow and drop. Rust develops in early spring. In the treatment, agents are used, including copper. Treatment of a rusty plant should be carried out throughout the summer season.
gray rot
Fungal infection, manifesting itself on the ends of young shoots, on which a gray bloom forms. The affected parts of the plant should be cut off immediately, and the shrub should be fed during the summer with fertilizers containing manganese.
Spider
A small insect that settles on the back of leaves. Affected shoots should be cut and burned. The plant on which the spider mite appeared is treated 3 times (with an interval of a week) with insecticides.
Green rose aphid
Aphid colonies are characterized by rapid development. In the fight against this insect, the activity of which leads to the death of the shrub, use insecticides or decoctions of pepper or garlic, a soapy solution.
Rose leaf roll
In the event that the leaves of the shrub begin to curl, the plant should be examined for the appearance of leaf curl. This insect is harvested by hand, and the roses are treated with antibacterial drugs or decoctions of onions, garlic, tobacco.
Cochineal rosacea
The scale is compact and has a white body. This insect is collected with a damp cloth. After removing the sheath, the plant is treated with insecticides or soapy water.
Medvedka
A large insect that eats the roots of a plant. In the fight against the bear, loosening is used, the introduction of water with chicken droppings and the planting of marigolds near roses.
drooling penny
The strain is also harvested by hand, and the plant is then treated with insecticides.
The best varieties
There are dozens of varieties of ground cover roses. But among Russian gardeners the following varieties are popular.
Akhtiar
A large rose with white flowers that remain on the bush for a long time. This tall variety grows up to 1.5 meters in height.
Fair play
A variety with white-pink roses and a semi-double surface, it blooms up to three times per season. The length of the branches reaches 1.5 meters.
Fiona
On the shrub of this variety, bright red flowers with a diameter of up to 80 centimeters with double petals are formed. The shoots of the plant are drooping. Flowering continues continuously, from early summer until the first frosts.
Good morning
A compact shrub with low creeping shoots and dark red to cherry red flowers. The plant can withstand frosts down to -30 degrees.
Ballerina
On the bush of the Ballerina variety, pink roses are formed, which form large inflorescences. The long shoots of the plant create a spherical crown.
Scarlet
This variety is characterized by the fact that it quickly adapts to new growing conditions. The plant is distinguished by its compact size and double roses.
Amber Carpet
A spherical amber-yellow rose grows on a tall shrub with dark green leaves.
Jazz
At the beginning of flowering, the rose of this variety acquires a copper-orange color, which turns into peach.
Swanee
This variety is characterized by undersized shoots, on which white roses with a pink heart appear. The shrub blooms up to three times per season.
Additional tips and tricks
Ground cover roses are used to create light spots on the site or hedges.Some varieties of this plant are grown individually in pots. It is recommended to plant a number of ground cover roses to decorate gazebos or gates. In order to prevent the appearance of diseases, the bushes should be watered moderately, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.