Roses have historically been a popular choice here in North Texas. Homeowners have long considered the rose the masterpiece of all the flowers and they love the variety of colors available as well as the aesthetic appeal that they can add.
That being said, certain North Texas roses have become prone to disease. It’s important to understand what you’re getting if you’re choosing roses in North Texas so that you don’t end up being unhappy. We’re talking about whether roses are a good choice and what you ought to know.
One of the most popular rose cultivars is the “Knock Out Rose,” which came into prominence about 20 years ago. Many have come to think of these as the “evergreen of roses” thanks to the fact that they’re continually flowering and perform really well.
Overall, Knock Out Roses had always been low maintenance and needed very little care which was one of the main reasons for their appeal. However, the appearance of a disease called Rose Rosette changed all of that. Though other roses can also get it, Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) seems to attack Knock Out Roses particularly hard and there is no known cure. This has suddenly made this “favorite cultivar” a questionable pick for some.
The cause of RRD is a microscopic mite called Phyllocoptes Fructiphilus. A wingless mite, it spreads from rose to rose via the wind and transmits the disease in the process of feeding on them.
There are a number of signs of RRD that you may notice. Some of the most common include the following.
All of this may make you assume Knock Out Roses are not worth the trouble but that’s not necessarily the case. We still actually have quite a few customers who love these roses for their ease of care. Whereas traditional rose bushes need to be carefully tended to, Knock Out Roses grow with little more care than watering.
It all comes down to expectations. The clients who still choose Knock Out Roses understand that in a couple of years, we’ll need to replace them. As the roses decline they’ll snip them off until there are none left. It’s a slow decline—it’s not overnight.
Of course, there are people who really do love their traditional rose bushes. They tell us that the gardening and the care of their roses is part of the fun, similar to someone who might enjoy caring for a bonsai tree. They enjoy making the special clippings and adding the soil amendments and “tending to their roses.”
They’re also creating new cultivars. Right now one of the most popular rose cultivars we’ve been planting is Top Gun. Top Gun Roses are hardy and disease resistant. They even appear resistant to RRD.
RRD is one of the most serious problems that roses can face (given the lack of a cure) and is therefore one of our main concerns. But it’s important to note it’s not the only problem that roses can face.
Rose bushes can be susceptible to a number of problems. Just like any other plant you can accidentally over- or under-fertilize your roses, they can fall victim to pests, or they can struggle as a result of the environment.
Roses can also be pruned improperly and ruined. With roses bushes we recommend waiting until the first bloom in spring to cut back climbers and ramblers. If you clip back rose bushes before then, you could reduce the size of your spring bloom.
Of course, unless you are someone who falls into the “I love tending my roses” category, you might not want to worry about all this. You might feel as though you ought to be able to have beautiful roses without all the work.
The good news is, you absolutely can.
At Grassperson, we can handle all of your rose care meeting your needs and expectations depending upon what you’re looking for.
Because we know you also want to do what you can to prevent problems, you can also be part of our Plant Health Care program. With this program we’ll not only take care of our rose bushes, but the other plant material on your property, too.
At Grassperson, our plant health care treatments are for plants like flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees (typically those 20 feet or smaller). We do not address mature trees. That is a task best left in the hands of an arborist.
Our program includes preventative treatments in an effort to be proactive and prevent a lot of these common shrub and tree problems in the first place. However, we can also implement curative treatments to address specific concerns as they may arise, assuming there is a cure. Since RRD is one of those cureless diseases, we can discuss your best options if that’s the case.
At Grassperson, we understand that roses may be important to you. If it’s an option that you really love, then we can work with you to find the right cultivar for your property. That includes a choice that meets your wants, needs, and expectations.
Of course, roses are ultimately just one of many plants that make up your landscape. You want to know that your landscape as a whole is protected.
We always have a close eye on your property when we’re there and by partnering with you, we’ll be able to tackle problems that challenge the health of your property and protect some of your property’s biggest assets–your shrubs, flowers, and trees! When it comes to having the best property on the block, you deserve nothing less than the best.
Ready to gain confidence that your plants are being protected at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX home? Get a free quote and get ready to have the best property on the block!
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