Roses - the "queens of flowers" are at home in almost every garden. They come in different varieties and types. Ground cover roses are very popular. The undisputed classic among them "The Fairy Roses". They bloom repeatedly and enchant with their small, pink flowers in countless umbels. These ground covers are very robust, frost hardy and tolerate pruning. Even if they do not make great demands on care, there are a few things that should be considered.
groundcover roses
This variety of rose is a reliable bloomer from June until the first frost. It grows more in width than in height. It normally grows to between 50 and 70 cm in height and just as much, if not a little, wider. The bis are in small clusters
2.5 cm large pink, double flowers together. The long shoots sink to the ground and can thus cover larger areas. 25 or more buds can appear on one shoot alone. In summer, the glossy dark green foliage is barely visible under the flowers. The flowers are rainfast and do not form rosehips after they have faded, as is the case with other roses. "The Fairy" is not only a beautiful eye-catcher in the garden, but she is
- pretty tough
- resistant to fungal diseases
- heat tolerant
- repeat-flowering
- frost hardy
- very easy to care for and
- extremely tolerant of cuts
The ground cover can be planted as a hedge or in groups. 4 to 5 plants are planted per square meter. Once planted in one place, they require little maintenance. However, it should be pruned from time to time to stimulate its willingness to bloom and healthy growth.
tip: Growing freely, the "Fairy Rose" can reach a height of up to 150 cm, which makes it a good standard rose - a popular eye-catcher, especially in small gardens. But it can also be planted in tubs.
No annual pruning necessary
Pruning of ground cover roses is kept to a minimum compared to other rose varieties. However, it can sometimes become a real tour de force. As a rule, cutting the ground cover every three to four years is sufficient. Of course you are free to make an annual cut. Cutting the "Fairy Roses" causes
- the stimulation of loose growth
- Formation of a rich bloom and
- Strengthening resistance to diseases
Not to be forgotten is of course the beautiful decorative aspect. However, it is always important to know when to cut back and to have the right instructions.
tip: "The Fairy", but also the varieties "Snow Ballet" and "Swany" get a particularly beautiful and compact growth with an annual pruning.
time
As with other types of roses, the shoots should always be cut when the forsythia is in bloom, i.e. from March depending on the weather. The measure should begin before the roses begin to sprout. During the day, no more permanent frosts may occur.
In addition, pruning in autumn is also possible, but should be avoided if possible. It must be borne in mind that the freshly cut shoots can freeze back severely in winter. However, in mild areas, for example in wine-growing areas, an autumn cut can be done without any consequences.
Cut ground cover roses
The ground covers are quite tolerant of pruning. But sometimes it can take a lot of energy. It is therefore necessary that special sharp scissors are used. Even hedge trimmers can be used for cutting, especially if you want to rejuvenate the roses. The use of the hedge trimmers mentioned is recommended, especially for large rose beds.
The way of cutting is always the same with an annual cut and also a cut back after three to four years. Only the height should be taken into account
- annual pruning to 30 cm height
- every three to four years to a height of 15 cm
tip: Various ground cover roses are commercially available without their roots. They have no finishing point. These roses should simply grow unhindered for three to five years. Then cut back to 20 cm above the ground.
manual
In principle, it doesn't matter whether this year's shoots or last year's shoots are cut. With these roses it doesn't matter in comparison to other bed or hybrid roses. The following must then be observed when cutting
- generally cut out frozen, dead, dried up or diseased shoots
- can be recognized by the brown color of the bark
- continue to remove all rose galls
- these are "sponges" on the shoots, breeding grounds for gall wasps
- remove all wild shoots and weak shoots below the grafting point
- Shorten all whip-like, strong shoots by a third
- maximum pruning to 3 to 4 buds (dormant buds)
- Place the scissors 5mm above an outward facing eye
- Cut should be made at an angle to the opposite side
- clear if necessary
- to do this, cut out one or two old main shoots close to the ground
Annual pruning is required if you want the roses to stay really low. Plants should be transplanted every five years. In other words, there is a radical cut. The roses are thus stimulated to form new shoots and of course there are more lush flowers.
It should also be mentioned that wild shoots, dry or diseased shoots can be cut out throughout the year, including in summer. Withered flower parts should also be removed regularly during the summer months. This stimulates the shrub to sprout again. To do this, simply withered flowers with two fully developed leaves underneath are cut off with sharp scissors.
tip: No stubs should be left when cutting side shoots and branches. These can encourage the entry of pathogens.
maintenance
Even if ground cover roses like "Fairy Roses" do not have any special care requirements, this should not be completely neglected. However, the ground covers require less attention compared to other roses. However, some work is still necessary so that every year from spring to late autumn a sea of blossoms makes the garden shine. Not to forget is the right choice of location and a corresponding composition of the soil.
location and soil conditions
Of course, the perfect location and the composition of the soil are very important for good growth and health of the ground cover roses. Only then can the roses really unfold their splendor. The choice of the future location should be made carefully before planting. Equally important is good soil preparation. Like all roses, these magnificent ground covers love a sunny spot in the garden
- are heat tolerant, but no blazing midday sun
- Half shade is also tolerated well
- however, there should be a few hours of sunshine
- airy place
- wet leaves must be able to dry quickly
- otherwise there is a risk of disease
- strong drafts are badly tolerated
- need deep, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil
- Soil must be water permeable
- Avoid waterlogging
- ideally suited to medium-heavy, slightly loamy soil with a neutral pH value
If the soil does not meet the requirements, ripe compost can be worked in to improve it. In addition to the location and soil conditions, watering, tillage and winter protection must not be forgotten in the care.
pour
Ground cover roses are deep-rooted. Watering is usually only necessary in extreme drought. Otherwise, the fine roots draw water and nutrients from the deeper regions of the soil. However, these rather long roots have to develop first. For this reason, more intensive watering is necessary in the first year after planting. Otherwise, it should only be watered when the soil has dried up to a depth of 10 cm. A folding rule can be used for checking.
Spreading lawn clippings or bark mulch around the plants can be advantageous. The height of the layer should not exceed 3 to 4 cm. This measure keeps the soil moist, loose and slightly porous for longer, i.e. it retains a crumbly structure.
tip: Bark mulch binds nitrogen from the soil, which is necessary for its decomposition. This would then be missing as a nutrient for the ground cover. It is therefore advisable to work horn shavings into the soil under the mulch layer as additional nitrogen suppliers.
In addition, sufficient fertilization and loosening of the soil is necessary for healthy plants and a long flowering period.
- Fertilization with slow-release fertilizers or organic fertilizers
- Nutrients are released slowly during the growing season
- regular loosening of the soil prevents evaporation of soil water
- Soil becomes nice and airy and permeable
As already mentioned, do not forget to clean out wilted flowers. Not only is new bud formation stimulated, but disease infestation is also prevented.
winter protection
In principle, these ground covers are frost hardy and actually get along well with low temperatures below freezing point. However, the grafting point in particular is sensitive to cold. Appropriate winter protection should therefore be applied.
- mound plants 20 cm high in late autumn
- use bark mulch, compost or loose garden soil
- good quality potting soil is also suitable
- additionally loosely stick spruce sticks around bushes
- remove winter protection in the second half of March
- Rake the earth that has been heaped up etc. wide
- Loosen and fertilize the soil
- Start pruning depending on the weather
