Excited to start growing roses, starting with a few David Austins

10 years ago

Hello,
I'm new here and new to roses. I'm excited to start growing roses. This is my first season at rose growing besides the 3 knock outs that I have in our front bed.

I'm starting with a few David Austins, 2 Lady Emma Hamilton, 1 Abraham Darby, 1 Charlotte, and 1 lavender floribunda called Love Song.

I have a few questions that I thought y'all might be able to help with. First, are there any great books that I should read on the basics of rose growing? I've been reading up a storm here and various online articles, but is there a go-to rose growing book that I should buy?

I planted my 2 lady Emmas last week, I'm excited about my new rose bed and I hope they do well in the location that I chose.

The area that I was planning to put Abe Darby & Charlotte won't be ready for another week or so and I'm not certain that the spot I chose will be sunny enough. I was thinking that I have 3 options.....
1) Keep the plants in the pots from the nursery until the bed is ready then plant them there and see if they like it. **I've had them for a week now and I'm not sure how long they can stay in the plastic pots from the nursery?
2) Plant them in a bed that I think is well suited for them for now knowing that I will most likely need to move them in the fall or next spring (do to planned construction near that bed).
3) Repot them into containers and grow there all summer until I can plant in the fall.

Any thoughts on what the best option is?

Also, any advice on how far to plant the Love Song Floribunda from the house? Do you think 30 inches is adequate?
The height is listed ad 35" to 47" but I'm not sure about width.
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.65776.0

If anyone in my zone/area has experience with these particular roses, I would love to hear what you think.

Also, if there are local nurseries that you love, please share:)
I am in Burlington County and I've been buying a lot at Flagg's in Moorestown. They seem to have a great selection and knowledgeable/helpful staff.

I've been looking for a Coral Charm peony locally (to plant in the bed with my Lady Emmas) and haven't had any luck finding one. I've considering driving to Peony's Envy in Bernardsville, NJ but it is about 1.5 hours from me one way and I'm not sure if I have the time to make that trip.

Thanks:)
Lisa

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Comments (4)

kingcobbtx7b
10 years ago
As far as the plants you are holding off on, they should be fine another week or two in their pots. Just make sure you keep them watered. It would be much more disturbing to them to plant them and later dig them up. Also, while there is no real risk of repotting them, I just don't think it is worth the trouble for a couple of weeks.

As far as books, I have the Classic Rose by Peter Beales. It is pretty good. If you can find one, David Austins, rose books are pretty good, they concentrate more on English Roses, but they have some pretty good advice on general things. I picked one up from the mid 90s at a Half Price books for $4. Now, there is also his book "The Rose", but it is quite pricey and more about individual roses.

As for love song, I typically plant my roses along my house about 18-24 inches back from the slab so your distance is fine. Enjoy Love Song, I planted it earlier this year and it is on its second flush.
Wish I could help in regard to your particular area, but I am no where near you.
lmt77
Original Author
10 years ago
KingCobb,
Thanks so much for your input. I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying Love Song. I was holding off on that one since I'm a beginner and I've heard that lavender roses can be more difficult....but I saw Love Song at my local nursery and could not stop thinking about how pretty she looked so I purchased her on Saturday morning. My last and final rose purchase for my inaugural rose season.
Thanks again!
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diane_nj 6b/7a
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lmt77, I highly recommend that you visit the West Jersey Rose Society's rose show on Saturday, May 25th at Moorestown Mall. There will be a lot of rose growers from your area (I'm east, in Monmouth County, but I'll be there judging), and they will be happy to talk to you about the roses and rose growing in the area. The show opens 1:30 PM.

For books, "Roses for Dummies" (the latest edition) is a good starting point, as is Liz Druitt's "The Organic Rose Garden".

I recommend starting slowly. There is a lot of information given by a lot of people, some of it can be overwhelming, and not all of it will be applicable to your growing conditions or preferred practices. Welcome aboard!

Here is a link that might be useful: Rose Show at Moorestown Mall, Saturday May 25
lmt77
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks so much Diane,
I live about 5 minutes from the Moorestown Mall so I'm hoping to make it over there for the rose show. Only problem is we are going to a party in the Poconos that day so I hope I can swing both the party and the rose show. I actually have my application to join the WJRS all filled out and ready to drop in the mail:)

Excited to start growing roses, starting with a few David Austins

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kingcobbtx7b

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Excited to start growing roses, starting with a few David Austins

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kingcobbtx7b

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