The wet autumn continues for the Sydney gardener. With more than sufficient water and less than sufficient sun, it looks like rose bushes are finishing off a shortened flower season. By comparison, the previous year's drought and warm weather saw fresh stems and blooms last well into June. I have ceased regular feeding of my bushes, reducing it down to weekly Seasol and fortnightly fish emulsion.
The bushes that seem to be ignoring the weather and blooming on regardless include my only tea rose, Monsieur Tillier. It shows every intention of flowering through winter, as tea roses can do in Sydney. Sexy Rexy is also blooming freely, despite a black spot attack. I also have some huge, well-formed blooms coming from Black Velvet:
The 'rose of the season' for me has certainly been Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. It now stands 7 feet tall and its blooms are getting both more beautiful and bigger as the plant matures.
Looking to plant roses in winter? That's the traditional time for dormant 'bare root' roses to ship from the major specialist rose nurseries. Check the links in the left frame. It's best to get orders in by the end of May, as stocks can run out on new or popular varieties.
Meanwhile the larger chain stores (Big W, Mitre 10 and others) are already stealing a march by selling bagged roses. The prices are right (some A$6 per plant) but the bushes are not the same quality as the premium nurseries. In the long run that doesn't count much. Just expect a greater risk of infant death and a longer establishment time after planting. The choices are also a bit limited - the ranges I saw at Mitre 10 and Bunnings made me yawn, but Big W had a better selection.
If you're planning a new bed, now's the time to dig it. Mix in lots of manure and blood 'n' bone. If you strike clay, mix in plenty of gypsum or river sand. Remember, once the bed is planted your chances of fixing these problems will be limited.
Later this month I'll be deciding which roses stay another season, and which will be replaced by my new purchases. Ah, the agony of choice!
Till next month,
Daniel.