Rose expert Michael Marriott has tips on tackling diseases such as black spot and mildew
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| New rose Wild Edric ('Aushedge')
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'Feed with an organically based fertiliser twice a year, once in late June or early July,
then again in late March or early April.'
* Choose disease-resistant
varieties and give them a sunny position that gets at least four
or five hours of sun per day.
* Prepare the soil well when planting by adding plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost.
* Soak the roots of bare-root roses before planting for several hours in a bucket, and also soak containerised roses for an hour or two.
* Make sure the bud union is
7-10cm (3-4in) below ground level.
* Water frequently, especially in dry weather, to help prevent mildew.
* Feed with an organically based fertiliser twice a year, once in late June or early July, then again in late March or early April.
* Do not apply fertiliser after the end of July; it will promote soft growth that's susceptible to pests, disease and frost damage.
* Mulch with organic matter every spring – after fertilising. This barrier will prevent fungal black-spot spores from infecting young leaves and help to conserve moisture.
* Plant roses among non-invasive herbaceous plants and annuals. Their flowers will attract lacewings and hoverflies – the larvae of which eat greenfly.
* Prune roses between late December and early February
to encourage healthy new growth.
Michael's 10 healthiest English roses
1 'The Generous Gardener'
2 'The Mayflower'
3 'Queen of Sweden'
4 'A Shropshire Lad'
5 'Harlow Carr'
6 'Wild Edric'
7 'Claire Austin' – new for 2007
8 'Teasing Georgia'
9 'The Pilgrim'
10 'Crocus Rose'
Rose expert Michael Marriott works for David Austin Roses.
Rose image above supplied by Roses UK.
*For more on roses and the Festival of Roses at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
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