My First Rose

Discussion in 'Roses' started by CreakyJoints, Apr 22, 2016.

  1. CreakyJoints

    CreakyJoints Gardener

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    I recently bought my first ever rose, a bare root Harkness rose, "Celebrating Life".
    I have kept it in the polythene bag it came in, with the top slightly open and have kept the roots moist and have kept it in a cool place.
    Until now, the weather here was cold and wet. As the last couple of days here have been dry and sunny, although it is dry but overcast today, the soil should be dry enough to plant in without compacting around the roots.
    My question is - I will be planting my rose in my front garden which is South facing. The soil is freely draining sandy loam and is slightly acidic (a ph test using the TestWest soil testing kit I have resulted in a light yellow liquid after the contents of the tube settled).
    When I plant my rose, should I dig some mpc (Westland), or peat (Westland Irish Moss Peat), or a bit of both into the soil in the planting hole ?
    I don't have any fertilizer of any kind at the moment, but everything in the garden is thriving so I'm guessing that the soil nutrition is good.
    Plants currently in my front garden and thriving are - Cherry laurel; lots of new growth and is just starting to flower. Photinia "Red Robin"; lots of new young red leaves starting to appear. Buddleia davidii; lots of new shoots forming. Pieris "Forest Flame"; flowering profusely and now beginning to produce new, red, young leaves. Holly; producing new young leaves (flowers later in the summer). Eucalyptus gunnii; now covered with flower buds. Forsythia; fully in flower. Day lily; currently putting up new shoots. As these mature plants are thriving year after year in my front garden, do I really need to add any fertilizer or other products when planting my rose ?
    Thanks in advance :)
     
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    • wiseowl

      wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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      Good afternoon @CreakyJoints its a lovely Rose my friend:smile:

      Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust Pink Rose Appeal.

      CELEBRATING LIFE
      • Registered Name: Harvixon
      • Family: Floribunda
      • Star Rating: 5
      • Scent Rating: 8
      • Flower Diameter: 9cm
      • Petals: 45
      • Flowers Per Cluster: 5-9
      • Plant Size: h90 x w70
      • Colour: Pink/Lilac
      This floribunda produces massive clusters of flowers with a tight whirl of petals in every bloom. A good perfume and plenty of vigour on the lilac shade of pink. Ideal for beds and border.
      betty-harkness.jpg
       
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      • CreakyJoints

        CreakyJoints Gardener

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        Thank you @wiseowl :)
        I bought it to plant in memory of my Mum so it will be an only rose (for now...I may add another one or two at a later date :heehee:).
        I understand that you are our resident rose expert. Will the soil type (slightly acidic sandy loam) in my front garden be ok as it is, or should I dig in some mpc, or peat, or a bit of both into the planting hole ?
         
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        • wiseowl

          wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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          Good afternoon @CreakyJoints my friend that is very kind of you to say so:redface:,but there are lots of our friends that have just as much Rose knowledge,That is truly a lovely gesture and a great way of honouring your Mum.

          As you say you have sandy soil it will be very free draining,
          Increasing soil organic matter is the key to gardening in sandy soil. You have to make the soil more “sticky”, so water and nutrients don’t just flush through every time it rains.
          You do this by making the soil more hospitable to bacteria and fungi. Bacteria and fungi will provide the glues to bind your sandy soil into something much better.Peat will do just fine:smile:
           
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          • CreakyJoints

            CreakyJoints Gardener

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            Thank you :)
             
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            • wiseowl

              wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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              You are most welcome:smile:
               
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              • CreakyJoints

                CreakyJoints Gardener

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                I'll post photos later once I've planted it. I just need to nip up to the shop for a couple of things, so will get my rose planted as soon as I'm back. It's sitting in water at the moment but will be in the ground within the next hour or so :spinning:
                 
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