Roses that reflect African sunsets
There are few things as spectacular, or beautiful as our African sunsets. The ‘sunset roses’ that mimic this phenomenon of nature are just as breathtaking.
The cooler days of autumn bring out the brilliant colours of the rose blooms. This is especially true of the ‘sunset’ roses. A garden with these roses closes the rose year on a high note.
Such roses have firm, strong petals and they last much longer on the bush and in the vase than the softer petalled pastel coloured roses.
New roses planted in March or April are able to flower deep into winter for their first season. Prune lightly in July. By spring, the plant will have settled in and will outperform any rose planted out in September or October.
‘Garden Flame’ is a rose on fire! Each bloom is different, with the golden yellow centre and red edging varying from bloom to bloom. This floribunda grows between hip and chest height, producing a profusion of pickable blooms, each on a single, slender stem. It is a disease resistant Eco-Chic rose. It will also do well in a large container.
‘Durban July’ is one of the most popular floribunda roses. It produces never ending clusters of deep golden buds that change to orange and then scarlet red. The rose bush is compact, good as a border or in containers. Dead head regularly to encourage more blooms.
The ‘SOS Children’s Rose’ helps to raise funds for the SOS Children’s Village organisation for orphaned and abandoned children. This happy rose has strong stems which carry clusters of flowers on a healthy vigorous bush. It grows to shoulder height and can be planted in groups, mixed with other roses or grown in containers.
‘Bonfire’ is aptly named for its glowing golden centre and tones of apricot, pink and red on the petal edges. This compact rose produces long lasting star-shaped blooms that show off in garden beds as well as in containers.
‘Sunset Panarosa’ is a powerful and disease resistant shrub rose that produces bright orange blooms softened by a cream reverse. The arching canes cover themselves with blooms that are long lasting in the hot sun.
What could be more appropriate than a rose named ‘Southern Sun’? It was named for the Southern Sun group of hotels founded by hotel magnate Sol Kerzner. Although it dates back in time it is still a superb hybrid tea rose that grows to shoulder height and produces clusters of large, full blooms. Combined with ‘Beach Girl’ it gives an awesome display.
‘Beach Girl’ is not just beautiful but it is an incredible performer, producing three to five buds on each strong stem. The shapely, lightly fragrant blooms are a pleasing blend of peach apricot and yellow.
Autumn rose programme
March is the month for paying extra attention to the roses to ensure that the roses are covered in healthy green leaves.
- Maintain the leaf cover by spraying every two weeks with Chronos or Rose Protector to prevent black spot which is a fungus disease that kills off the leaves.
- Chronos combined with Ludwig’s Insect Spray Plus will also prevent aphids and other small insects that damage the leaves and flowers.
- Fertilise once this month with a rose fertiliser like Vigorosa and water deeply at least once a week. Well fertilised rose plants with a deep green foliage have a better resistance to the black spot fungus disease compared to “hungry” bushes with light green leaves.
- Keep on deadheading the roses to encourage new blooms and to keep the bushes looking neat.
By following this minimal maintenance programme, the rose will produce lovely blooms until June or even July if there is no frost. For further inspiration visit www.ludwigsroses.co.za
Article and images supplied by Alice Coetzee
For more on gardening, visit Get It Magazine.
