The birth flower for June is the beautiful rose! Roses are generally recognized as symbols of love. Thanks to the Victorian Era and the language of flowers, different colors of our perennial friends have different meanings that have lasted through the years:
Roses grow well in USDA zones 4-9. Roses, depending on the type, can vary in size from small shrubs to large climbers. They generally have thorny branches and woody stems. Many roses bloom from single petals to double blooms.
What roses grow best in South Mississippi?
It is easy to grow beautiful roses in south Mississippi with proper care and selection. The following is just a few of the many beautiful roses that can be grown on the Coast:
• English Roses can do well here. Some types to try are Golden Celebration, The Pilgrim and The Prince.
• Hybrid Tea Roses including Chrysler Imperial, Silver Jubilee, St. Patrick, Tahitian Sunset, and Mister Lincoln grow well here in South Mississippi.
• Knock Out Roses do really well here. These include Ice Meidiland, Lady Elsie May, and many other Knock Out varieties.
• Lady Banks Roses as well as Peggy Martin and David Austin named roses are also favorites on the Coast.
Roses love sun, but they don’t like temperatures over 85 degrees. They prefer the morning sun for 4-6 hours and shade in the hottest part of the day.
Some ways to help your roses stay cool in the summer heat include adding a layer of mulch to help keep roots cool and retain water around the plants. The mulch will also help in keeping weeds at bay. Remember not to cut off the scorched or burned leaves on the roses as they provide shade for the newer leaves below them.
Give your roses a light daily morning spray of water as the summer progresses. This will provide some relief and wash the dust and insects off the leaves. However, adequate sunlight and water applied to the roots only will help decrease the spread and incidence of fungal diseases.
When pruning roses in early spring, prune with the understanding that opening the center of the plant or shrub will allow for better light penetration and air circulation. This creates an environment that is less favorable to the development of fungal diseases.
Roses are fragrant and beautiful and make a beautiful addition to any garden. Find some varieties that work for you! Roses can be enjoyed in your garden, in pots, and in fresh arrangements on your dining room table. It’s time to grow those roses and sit out in the mornings enjoying their blooms with that first cup of coffee!
Happy Gardening!
For more information about roses or to join the American Rose Society, check out the website rose.org or call 1.800.637.6534.
