'meliana' comments & questions

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meliana

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Selection Advice most recent 16 MAR 07 SHOW ALL

Initial post 2 FEB 07 by meliana

Hello:
I have a new question:
I am thinking of making a rope swag in a nice sunny spot in my yard. I am looking for a climber, either dark red or dark purple or white flowers, some fragrance, and trainable canes. I am looking at hybrid musks, because they seem to bloom in big clusters and might look good trained up a wood post and along a rope. Has anyone done this before, and if so, what roses are best? I am also thinking Mme Isaac Periere, which I have ordered already and was going to put against a fence but am now wondering if I could get it to climb a rope? I am also open to other ideas.
I live in Baltimore, MD, USA--zone 7a, humid summers.

Reply #1 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by Anonymous-97434

Hi Meliana. Your idea of using Hybrid Musk roses for your swag is a very insightful and imaginative one. Yes, they've been put to this use before. Because of their lax canes and their habit of blooming at the ends of downward hanging wood, the majority of them would be perfect. At least in my climate, which varies between zone 8 and 10, depending upon the season and year, Cornelia is spectacular used this way. I particularly like Cornelia because, here, she has more limber, thinner canes than many of the others. Buff Beauty, Penelope and others which generate the thicker wood may not be as well suited.

Mme. Isaac Periere may work, but she's not as healthy, at least here, nor is she as limber and lax. If done properly and well maintained, she could be quite attractive. Here, she can be used as a short climber or pillar rose. You may find the foliage healthier up where the wind circulation is better, too. Good luck! Kim

Reply #2 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by meliana

Thanks for the info--I think I'll put the Mme. in an airier spot. I've looked at all those HMs you mentioned, plus the red ones like Will Scarlet and Nur Mahal, or another white one like Pax. Penelope sounds better as a tall shrub against a fence, maybe where I was originally going to put the Mme--I think I'll put "her" in an open bed instead.	REPLY

Reply #3 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by Anonymous-97434

You're welcome. Personally, the "red" Hybrid Musks are too stiff for my taste. For the swag, I'd consider the more "wispy" ones so they'll follow the shape of the swag. Penelope covers a few block walls here where I live and she's gorgeous!	REPLY

Reply #5 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by meliana

Reply #4 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by Anonymous-97434

Reply #6 of 8 posted 3 FEB 07 by meliana

Reply #7 of 8 posted 16 MAR 07 by HMF supporting member

Jeri Jennings

In your part of the country, please take time to consider the Noisettes! How about Lamarque? A beautiful lemon[white climbing rose? Jeri Jennings	REPLY

Reply #8 of 8 posted 16 MAR 07 by meliana

I looked at that, but I thought I saw something about it being prone to blackspot--is this correct? Also, I have two Mme Alfred Carriere that I started last year and they look good. Since I posted these comments, I have gone toward red roses like Illusion (which is apparently on a rope swag at Brooklyn Gardens), or Dublin Bay. I haven't bought any yet. I did buy some white musk roses for other areas in my garden, so I'm thinking red for the rope swag. I have time to decide, I haven't even built the structure yet! I do appreciate the advice, though--and am I wrong avout Lamarque?

RoseRosa brunonii Lindl. most recent 13 MAR 07 HIDE POSTS

Initial post 13 MAR 07 by meliana

Can this rose take some part shade, like the hybrid musks?	REPLY

Selection Advice most recent 10 JAN 07 SHOW ALL

Initial post 5 JAN 07 by meliana

I would like some advice for planting roses in moist soil, which is also a bit clay-ish. i like wild-rose types, white, dark red. I want something that will grow tall and dense,since it is to block an ugly fence, and I am going to plant it in front of some evergreens, so it will be partially shaded.	REPLY

Reply #1 of 5 posted 9 JAN 07 by NMrose

Considerations are Zone, State, are you amending soil? shade due to evergreens, what direction does it face? I think we need more info.......... shrub roses vs ? etc.	REPLY

Reply #2 of 5 posted 9 JAN 07 by meliana

Yes, I forgot the most important parts!... I am in Maryland, USA, zone 7a. The shade would come from the evergreens, which I have not yet planted, and they will be small until they grow. I will amend the soil, usually I add some good compost and peat moss. They will face NW, so less direct sun. I like shrub roses, wild-type roses, thorny climbers (also for discouraging people, I'm in the city). Rugosas appeal to me--would they tolerate shade?

Reply #3 of 5 posted 9 JAN 07 by NMrose

I also lived in Maryland in early 70's and worked with roses at that time. That climate can be challenging for foliar diseases and can get cold at times. I would personally recommend roses bred by Dr Buck of Iowa State. Very trouble free and hardy. He bred many shrubs based upon the wild priarie roses of Iowa and Midwest. he bred tea's, floribunda's and Grandiflorias also. His roses flourish here in the high desert of New Mexico (Zone 7 also) with alot of shade(4 hours of sun). Earth Song, Honey Sweet etc are excellent, some get 6-8' in height as a shrub in Zone 7. I suggest the following sites: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/rose1.html and another http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/rose1.html

You can order own root roses from many sites located here, I recommend only own root. look up varerities by name and click on where to buy.

Some Rugosas will tolerate moderate shade, you mentioned thorny climbers........look at Apple Jack by Dr. Buck. has thorns and is sprawling..incredidle scent at bloom. Buck used this rose in his breeding program for "antifreeze" very winter hardy. I am using it in a climber breeding program for winter hardiness and fragrance.

Reply #4 of 5 posted 9 JAN 07 by meliana

Thank you, I will look those up! I am buying own-root roses now--I ordered from Antique Rose Emporium and Vintage Roses so I could compare. Any other companies you like?	REPLY

Reply #5 of 5 posted 10 JAN 07 by NMrose

I have ordered from Heirloom in Oregon many times, most of us order from regional growers. I have great sucess with Heirloom Roses. I used to order from Sam Kedem in Minnesota, however he stopped is mail order business 2 years ago. He is an expert on Buck roses and knows the family well.

their webstes are: www.heirloomroses.com and they have a climbing rose site also.

Best of luck with your Roses and search for the "right ones"