Roses

For all you gardeners that get as confused about roses as I do, here is some insight. There are seven groups of roses that are generally found in garden centers.

HYBRID TEA ROSES
These are the most pouplar group. Their stems are long are the blooms shapely. Typically, the Hybrid Tea bears blooms which are medium-sized or large, with many petals forming a distinct central cone. The blooms are single or appear with several side buds.

FLORIBUNDA ROSES
These roses are second only to Hybrid Teas in popularity. This group bears its flowers in clusters, with several flowers opening at once in each cluster. It is unmatched in providing color and a long lasting garden display, but in general the flower is still inferior to that of the Hybrid Tea.

PATIO ROSES
This group first appeared in the 1980s, but now contains many popular varieties. These are compact, low growing roses. They are only about 50cm high and are great for patio pots or in front of the border.

MINIATURE ROSES
This group is increasing in popularity due to its novelty and versatility. Miniatures can be used for edging beds, planting in containers, and in rock gardens. Both leaves and flowers are small and under normal conditions do not exceed 40 cm.

GROUND COVER ROSES
This was a group introduced in the 1980s. These are spreading roses that have repeat flowering and good disease resistance. These are great for covering banks. Some are low-growing and quite restrained, others spread very widely.

CLIMBERS & RAMBLERS
This group of roses, if tied to a support, can be made to climb. They have stiff stems, bearing many flowers and may have repeat flowering.

SHRUB ROSES
This is a large group of bush roses with only one feature in common - they are neither Hybrid Teas nor Floribundas. They are taller than a bedding rose.

Itea virginica
(Virginia Sweetspire)

Virginia sweetspire, Itea virginica, is a little-known plant that deserves wider recognition and use, especiallty now that the award-winning cultivar 'Henry's Garnet' is becoming available at nurseries. This shrub has great appeal. In late October, foliage and stems glow with rose, burgundy and scarlet color. And the sweetspire's fall color is not a flash in the pan. Once turned the leaves linger on the shrub into December in the garden, and they may last all winter in the south.

It's autumn show is reason enough to grow Virginia sweetspire, but the shrub also produces flowers with delightful fragrance and unusual beauty. Slender clusters of dainty white blossoms seem to spill off the ends of branches in early summer. The flower spikes are typically three inches long, but those on 'Henry's Garnet' are twice that length. The blossoms would likely be lost among the showier competition at the height of spring, but Virginia sweetspire blooms on the late side. The flowers open in late June-early July. Flowers at the bases of the clusters open first, while buds at the tips remain tightly closed, so the flowers continue to open for two weeks.

Before you plant, we recommend that you have your soil tested. If you do not know your soil pH, soil type and soil type and soil limitations, you cannot make a good plant selection for your site. Simple soil test kits are available at your garden center. A more extensive and very excellent test can also be done by Penn State University. For a test kit, call or visit:

Cumberland County Agricultural Extension Office
1100 Claremont road, Carlisle
(near Cumb. Co. Prison)
Cost: $6.00
Office Hours: 8-4:30 Mon-Fri
Phone: 240-6500

2. Dig out a planting area only as deep but at least twice as wide as your plant root ball. The wider the area dug - the better. If soil is poor, add up to 50% organic matter - such as well-rotted compost, aged manure, rotted leaves, etc. It is ok to use a little bit of peat moss as a part of the organic matter - but new planting research discourages the use of too much peat - for when conditions are very wet, peat moss remains overly soggy for too long and when conditions are very dry peat moss dries out and is hard to rewet. Organic matter is always beneficial to soil, for it improves flow and availability of oxygen, water and nutrients to plants. But, if your soil is not too poor and you do not want to take time to amend a large area around each planting hole, it is best not to amend average soil at all. Pampering plant roots in a planting hole or rich soil does not encourage them to grow out into your native soil. Your plants will actually grow better and be more self-sustaining in unamended soil because roots have been forced to be tougher and more wide spreading in their search for water and nutrients.

3. Place your plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the existing soil level. If the plant is heavy and may settle, place it one to two inches above the existing soil level. Gradually fill in the hole with amended soil. Throw your shovel aside and use your hands to scoop and pack soil in around the root ball. It is important to fill in around the roots of your plant and avoid leaving any air pockets behind. This is especially important if your plant was rootbound and it was necessary to disturb the root ball. Pack soil around the root ball until your planting hole is half full. Fill hole up with water, let it drain down and settle the soil, then continue back filling the hole with soil until full. Water to settle soil again. Be sure not to mound soil up around the base of your plant any higher than it was init's original container. Planting too deeply will kill your tree or shrub.

Ashcombe has a great selection of shade trees and evergreens available.

Hydrangeas are one of the most beloved and popular shrubs for summer garden color. There are approximately 100 species and countless cultivars (cultivated varieties) of these primarily deciduous plants and their growth forms range from tree to shrub to climbing types.

The name 'hydrangea' comes from two Greek words - hydor (for water) and aggeion (for vessel) and refers to the plants ccup-shaped fruits. Hydranges are admired for their sterile and fertile blooms. The large sterile flowers are composed of showy oval petals that cannot produce pollen or seeds, but can attract pollinating insects to tiny fertile flowers on the same plant. These fertile flowers may be almost invisible amid massive balls of sterile flowers (mophead types) or they may be bunched together into flattish clusters (late cap types).

Hydrangeas require plenty of water and thrive in soil that is rich and moist, yet still well-drained. They grow rapidly and most do well in partial shade. For many, morning sun and afternoon shade with protection from hot sun is ideal. As a group, hydrangeas are quite disease resistant, although they occassionally suffer from botrytis, which is a fungal blight. Hydrangeas bloom prolifically for up to a month between early summer and the late fall. many are beautiful and long lasting as cut or dried flowers.

Does your garden need more color during the months of July and August? This can be a common problem for many gardeners. Most gardeners are busiest planting in the spring. Often the plants selected are those that blooms during April, May and June, since they are colorful at this time and fresh in our minds. But don't fret. There are lots of plants to choose from that will provide abundant summer color in your gardens. Because these plants have spent the spring months putting on vegetative growth, they often bloom in profusion when their season arrives.

Below is a list of some plants you can use to add summer color. Remember, planting in the summer months is ok, as long as you can provide abundant water. Try to schedule your planting before a rain. For many perennials, cutting back the foliage will limit water loss, and thus limit the stress for the plant.

Summer Bloomers for a Sunny Garden

Anthemis tinctoria - Marguerite Daisy

Profuse blooming plants flower through most of the summer. 2-3 feet tall.

'Kelwayi' - bright golden
    yellow daisies
'E.C. Buxton' - white daisies
   with gold centers
'Moonlight' - soft yellow daisies

Calamagrostis - Feather Reed Grass
One of the few ornamental grasses to bloom in the early summer. Plumes last throughout the growing season and often through the winter. Plants are columnar with narrow long lasting straw colored plumes.

'Karl Foerster' - lush green foliage
   with 4-5' tall plumes
'Overdam' - beautifully
   variegated green and white
    foliage with 3' tall plumes

Lance Leaf Varieties

'Domino' - single golden yellow


flowers with dark centers

'Early Sunrise' - semi-double

golden yellow flowers on
1 1/2-2' tall plants

''Flying Saucers' - huge single

golden yellow flowers on
1-11/2' tall plants

'Tequila Sunrise' - olive green

foliage variegated with
cream and yellow. Golden
yellow singles flowers with
reddish brown eye

Thread Leaf Varieties

'Golden Gain' - Bright gold

single star-shaped daisies on
1/2-2' tall plants

'Moonbeam' - soft creamy

yellow single daisies on 11/2'
tall plants

'Zagreb' - bright golden yellow

daisies on 1 1/2' tall plants

'Magnus' - bright rosy pink

daisies around a central cone
on 2-3' stems

'White Swan' - pure white daisies

surround a copper cone on
2-3' stems

'Summer Sun' - large semi-double

golden yellow daisies on 3-4' stems

'Loraine Sunshine' - a heliopsis

with green and white
variegated leaves

Monarda Didyma - Beebalm
Great plant for attracting hummingbirds. Abundant tubular flowers in whorls grace the top of the 2-3 foot stems in summer. Foliage is fragrant. Try some of the newer mildew resistant varieties:

'Jacob Cline' - huge bright red

flowers; very mildew resistant

'Mahogany' - deep maroon

red blossoms

'Marshall's Delight' - pretty pink

flowers; very mildew resistant

'Petite Delight' - a new dwarf

selection, only 1-1 1/2' tall with
lavender flowers

'David' - pure white fragrant

flowers in large clusters; mildew
resistant

'Eva Cullum' - bright pink fragrant

flowers with a red eye; mildew
resistant

'Laura' - royal purple flowers with

a pure white star in center;
mildew resistant

'Nora Leigh' - clean green and

white variegated foliage; pink blossoms

'Miss Jill' - creamy white flowers

with tiny pink eyes

'Miss Karen' - dark rose blooms

with deep red eyes

'Miss Margie' - lilac blue flowers
'Miss Mary' - clear red flowers

'Goldsturm' - 1999 perennial plant

of the year; deep yellow
daisies with black center;
heavy bloomer 21/2-31/2' tall.

'Maxima' - called the giant

coneflower; yellow drooping
petals surround tall brown
cone; large architectural silver
blue leaves; plant is 5-8' tall;
birds love the seeds

'Viette's Little Suzy' - dwarf with

medium yellow daisies; only
1' tall foliage turns mahogany
in fall

'Autumn Joy' - bright pink turning

bronzy red flowers in dense
clusters; 2' tall

'Matrona' - blue gray foliage, red

stems topped with deep pink
flowers in dense clusters; 1 1/2 - 2'
tall; striking

'Frosty Morn' - green and white

variegated foliage topped with
pink flowers; 1 1/2 - 2' tall

'Arthur Branch' - stunning dark

purple foliage topped with
rosy-pink flowers; strong stems

'Blue Charm' - lavender flowers

over glossy dark green foliage;
2-2 1/2' tall

'Red Fox' - deep rosy-red flowers

on compact 1-11/2' plants

'Noah Williams' - green and white

variegated leaves topped with
white flowers

'Sunny Border Blue' - deep blue

flowers on 2' tall plants

'Goodness Grows' - deep blue

flowers on compact spreading
plants; very long bloomer

Astilbe
Feathery flower clusters in white, pink, red, and purple grace these plants during summer months. Season long, they sprout beautiful ferny foliage. Most require abundant moisture to perform to their optimum. Varieties vary in size from 8" to 4' tall. Varieties vary in bloom time - early, mid, and late season, so blooms can be sequenced throughout the summer. Ashcombe features over 30 varieties for you to choose from. Check out some of the new drought tolerant varieties such as Visions and Veronica Rose.

Aconitum - Monkshood
Sometimes called a delphinium for the shade. Tall plants with hooded blossoms in spires.

'Bicolor' - two tone blue and

white hooded flowers;
3-4' tall

'Napellus' - violet hooded

flowers on 3-4' stems

Hosta - Plantain Lily
The foliage alone on these plants provides colors of creamy white, yellow, blue and green during the summer in a large array of patterns, sizes and textures. most bloom during the summer months with lily-like flowers in shades of white and lavender. Check out our unique selection of over 55 varieties. Drought tolerant.

Lobelia - Cardinal Flower
The species L. Cardinales provides vibrant red tubular flowers over green foliage; hummingbirds love it! Easy to grow, will self seed in your garden. Some newer varieties include:

'Ruby Slippers' - deep ruby red

flowers; 3' tall

'Eco Pink Flate' - pink flowers

on 3' plants

Lobelia siphilitica, the great blue lobelia,

has pretty blue
tubular flowers along 2-3' tall
erect stems; the variety
'Alba' has white flowers

 

MELON, TOMATO AND MINT SALAD

1/2 lb. cantaloupe or other melon
1/2 lb. firm tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
1/3 lb. cucumber, peeled and grated
1/2 cup finely chopped mint
1 cup plain yogurt
salt and black pepper

Combine the melon and tomato in a large salad bowl.

Stir the mint into the yogurt to make a dressing, then pour over the salad. Season to taste and garnish with mint, lemon balm, or basil leaves.
Serves 4.

FLOWER SALAD

8 cups of assorted salad greens -

lettuce, endive, rocket,
watercress, dandelion, spinach

2 cups of assorted edible flowers
1-2 Tbsp. tiny new mint leaves
2-3 Tbsp. dill spris
2 Tbsp. snipped chives
1/2 cup olive oil
2-3 Tbsp. balsamic, tarragon or other herb vinegar
salt and pepper

In a small bowl, combine the oil and vinegar with a fork and season with salt and pepper.

Arrange the greens on a serving platter and scatter the herbs over them. Place the flowers decoratively on top.

Stir the vinaigrette well and drizzle over the salad. Toss gently, add more of the vinaigrette if necessary.
Serves 8.

TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH BASIL

2 medium ripe tomatoes
1 medium cucumber
1 medium sweet onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Texas)
8 ox. maxxarella cheese
3 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
1/3 cup basil flowers (cut the flower stems between whorls)

Cut the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes, add to the vegetables and toss.

Drizzle the oil over the vegetable mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the vegetables with basil flowers and taste for seasoning. Add a bit more olive oil if the salad is not moist enough. Let the salad marinate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serves 6-8.

HERBAL TOSS SALAD

Make a toss salad using fresh vegetables as usual, then add one or two of the culinary herbs such as mint, lemon balm, chives, basil, chervil, corn salad, lovage, nasturtium, parsley, thyme, or watercress.

HERBAL FRUIT SALAD

Make your fruit salad using fresh fruits as usual, then add one of the culinary herbs such as mint, basil or lemon balm leaves.

DILLY DIP

This a tart dip, excellent for the natural sweetness of vegetables.

1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. minced parsley
1 green onions, chopped fine
   (including greens)
1-2 Tbsp. fresh dill seeds

NOTE: If any recipe you are using calls for a teaspoon of dried herbs, you can substitute a tablespoon of fresh. If the recipe calls for one tablespoon of fresh, you may substitute a teaspoon of dried.

Our goal is to provide you with an experience that will be both satisfying and rewarding. The many things we have going on here at Ashcombe such as children's classes, herb programs, educational seminars, and special events help you to both relax and learn at the same time. Summer brings a selection of these programs and our staff is looking forward to sharing with you their knowledge and expertise in many areas. If you can't attend our seminars we have lots of free instructioons on gardening that you can take along with you. Be sure to visit us and read about these things in our newsletters.

Thank you for your contiued confidence.

Previous Newsletters:

• May 1999

• March 1999