Hello Dear Rose Friends,
A reminder that our story will be aired on ABC Gardening Australia tomorrow evening, Friday, 5th May, and replayed on Sunday, 7th May at 1.30 and we’ll also send a link in the Rose Rambler next week.
With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to organise a gift for the precious woman in your life so we’ve have a couple of special offers to suit any budget – orders include pack/post and we’ll ensure on-time delivery for Sunday, 14th May.
Gift Voucher Bonus
Order a $50.00 gift voucher between the 4th and 14th of May and we’ll add an extra $10.00 to the voucher prior to redemption.
Never Run Out of Fragrance
Choose one of our most highly fragrant potted and flowering roses, we can gift-wrap and post in our classy gift box (you get to select the colour if you wish or leave it all to us!) These pictures might inspire you because all these varieties are magnificent for gifting NOW.
Make Mother's Day Special This Year!
Shop Fragrant Gift Roses Now
This autumn has been one of the most spectacular I can remember with delightful sunny days, light breezes and occasional rain – true gardening weather here in Victoria. Hope the climate has been kind in your State or Territory because soon enough, winter will prevail.
If you haven’t already done so, here are a few jobs you should complete during autumn in your rose garden…
- Blow and rake all deciduous tree leaves back under their tree or pop them in your compost heap;
- Fertilise all the roses one last time for this season with high-quality organic fertiliser because whilst the weather is so pleasant, we can expect rose blooms well into winter;
- Ensure there’s a light layer of mulch over all garden beds to protect the earthworms and microbes before frost impacts the soil;
- Liberally spray rose gardens with Eco-seaweed to strengthen foliage and make your roses more frost tolerant – this is especially necessary for severe frost zones;
- Trim and remove all fungus-affected rose buds before foliage drops to the soil reducing the possibility of those spores over-wintering;
- Pick as many beautiful fragrant roses as possible because soon, your kitchen bench might not be looking as beautiful as this …
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LEAF CUTTER BEES
Here’s an extract from Michelle’s newsletter which she’s happy to share…
"After my last newsletter, I received an email from Mariana who had a query about something strange happening to her rose leaves. Look at the artistic cut outs on the leaves below."
"I was happy to tell Mariana that the holes on the leaves were made by leaf cutter bees who are an important pollinator for vegetable growers. The bees just take what they need to make their nests and whilst the lacy patterns on your rose leaves may look funny, these bees won't hurt the plant, and as we head into the cooler weather you will notice that some leaves will start to yellow off and drop anyway with or without holes. So I would look upon the beautifully cut holes in your leaves as a feature and talking point, and it also shows that your roses are lovely and healthy because I have never seen leaf cutter holes on sickly roses." |
DEER IN A ROSE GARDEN
Hi Graham, My parents have a deer problem on their 5-acre property and I thought perhaps vigorous thorny rambling roses might be the best solution along the boundary line rather than a new fence, as the deer can be quite destructive. We would also want to keep their dogs in.
The back boundary is amongst smallish gums and doesn’t get any direct sunlight.
The side boundary is less shaded, as the trees (mostly gums) are just along the boundary line, so a different type may suit this situation better.
Is there anything you could recommend that would grow well enough in both of these areas?
Our preference would be for an abundant flower display rather than the form and scent of the flowers.
Thanks, Kylie
Hi Kylie… It’s a difficult request – deer love eating roses – in the wild, roses are one of their favourite foods – fresh tips, rose hips, flowers – they love every part of the rose!
You cannot grow roses in dense shade and rose roots would be competing with the native trees continually fighting for a share of water so my best recommendation would be to instal a mesh fence just tall enough the deer can’t climb over…
Whilst installing such a fence, put down a separate piece of mesh covered with earth to stop rabbits from coming in… then, of course, create a lovely rose garden!
Sorry, I cannot be more helpful. Cheers - Gra
IN CLOSING … Sometimes we win when Mother Nature throws a curve-ball with feral animals, insects, disease or weather affecting our roses… no matter what, our roses will prevail… happy autumn gardening…
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