Going Green in Rose Care
One reason I've only grown a couple of kinds of roses over the years -- 'Carefree Wonder' and some in the 'Knockout' Series -- is that I never wanted to go the chemical route to control black spot and other ubiquitous diseases, which are particularly prevalent in the hot and humid summer climate of Washington DC. My only other rose is the climbing 'Mme Alfred Carriere' and although it gets some black spot every year, it's tolerable.
Now, Paul Zimmerman, of Ashdown Roses in Campobello, SC, is about to introduce a new, totally organic rose treatment that he's successfully tested on over 400 rose varieties. "If a rose can't survive without harsh chemicals," says Zimmerman, "it really shouldn't be on the market." In association with Peter Beales Roses of Britain, Ashdown is introducing in January of 2008 Peter Beales Complete Natural Rose Care -- an annual program that includes chemical-free fertilizers that promote proper soil nutrients and an organic fungicide. According to Zimmerman, the fungicide builds the rose's immune system and "makes it an inhospitable host" to black spot and other fungi. The fungicide is a spray that coats the leaf of the plant so that harmful spores "slide and fall off the leaves," he says.
Zimmerman designed and maintained rose gardens in the Los Angeles area for several years, has often participated as a judge in rose trials, and is the author of many articles on roses and rose care. He founded Ashdown Roses in 1999 with the objective of growing the best in antique, climbing and garden roses.
(image:'Festive Jewel' Beales shrub rose courtesy Ashdown Roses)
Ashdown has devoted part of its 20 acres to a new three-acre Rosarium that will eventually house 5000 or more cultivars. Its stated objective is to preserve and present the rose in all of its historical forms, and once they are established, share them with botanical gardens all over the world to preserve the diversity of the genus.
Some planting has already begun, and Ashdown has 2000 cultivars now being prepared for installation. It's expected to take about five years to complete the entire rosarium plan. Species and old roses will be grouped by class, and the modern roses by hybridizer. Eventually, Zimmerman plans to hold some rose trials on the site, with the first being a trial for amateur rose breeders. And -- an added plus -- the rosarium will be open to the public free of charge.
(image: 'Papi Delbard' rose -- French Delbard rose courtesy Ashdown Roses)
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