Bonsai Tree Care Information - From Watering To Pruning To Soil

June 4th, 2008 DavePage Posted in Gardening No Comments »

The practice of Bonsai began in China and Japan hundreds of years ago, and is simple the miniaturization of naturally occurring plants and trees. Bonsai trees are not “special small” trees, but rather trees that ave been slowly miniaturized from their full size.

The main areas of tree care are the following:

Watering your Tree

Bonsai Trees require more watering than most plants, as they are grown in less soil and the soil itself is free draining (meaning it doesn’t retain the water and lets it pass through). The type of tree, the sunlight it is exposed to all factor in to how much watering should be done. You can tell if your Bonsai Tree needs water by looking at it, feeling the soil and if you prefer; by using a moisture meter to be certain.

Fertilizing your Tree

Bonsai plants are grown in smaller amount of soil compared with other trees and plants, therefore fertilizing and feeding your tree is key. You will want to fertilize once in the Spring and once again in the Fall to ensure maximum health and growth. Your fertilizer should contain chelated iron, nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. Make sure before you fertilize, to water your tree and then apply less than the recommended amount.

Misting your Tree

Bonsai trees and plants in general thrive in a humid environment, something that is somewhat uncommon in most of the world. Some gardeners would recommend misting your plants, to recreate this humid environment. The issue with misting is that it’s only a short term benefit to your plant. We recommend placing a tray below your tree, which you fill with water and allow natural evaporation to do the work to create humidity. Make sure the plant is setup off the tray so the roots are not sitting in the water constantly.

Sunlight for your Tree

Bonsai trees thrive in a sunny location, and only with a few exceptions (repotting, extreme trimming) it should live permanently in a sunny spot. It’s a good idea to leave your plant within a foot of a direct source of ultraviolet light. Southern (east/west okay too) exposure is best, if you plan to grow in a northern exposure location you may need the assistance of grow lights. Do not use Incandescent light as it is much too hot and does not provide a complete spectrum of light. Choose your type of tree wisely as some do better in less light and some require lots of light.

Trimming & Pruning your Tree

One of the main attractions of Bonsai ownership is the possibility to shape and mold your tree to meet your vision and desire. However there are fundamental concerns you need to keep in mind whilst pruning your tree. Balance is very important, and keeping a nice even distribution of branches over the your roots below is key to keeping your tree healthy and complete. You begin shaping your tree when it’s very young, and continue to shape even as your tree ages year after year. Butterfly shears are used to remove leaves and branches as needed. Large branches should only be removed with a concave cutter. Maintaining your trees appearance while minimizing the appearance of pruning is essential.

Protecting your Tree (from disease and pests)

Similar to many other trees and plants, bonsai are vulnerable to attacks by diseases and various pests. If you keep your bonsai in excellent health, you can ward of insects who are attracted to dyeing and weak trees. A healthy amount of light, fresh air and clean soil will ensure your bonsai stays healthy and gives you years of enjoyment. Insecticide soap spray is an option, however you should re-apply on a regular interval to prevent attacks from coming back.

Training your Bonsai

Expanding on the training idea of pruning and trimming, bonsai can be further trained using copper wise or hemp rope. The copper wire is rooted at the base of the tree and than wrapped around the trunk and branches, which allows your to train the branches to grow in your desired direction and shape. The wire should be wrapped closely but not too tight and the bends created should not be too extreme as to damage the branch. Once the wire starts biting into the bark, it should be removed. Removal should be done by snipping the wire at each bend, do not un wrap the wire as it can damage the branches and bark.

Soil for your Tree

When discussing watering above we noted that Bonsai trees use free draining soil, which means that it passes the water through and does not retain like typical potting soil. The makeup of the soil allows the roots of your bonsai to breathe freely. Bonsai soil comes in two main types, conifer and tropical mixtures. When you repot your tree make sure to do so with dry soil.

Repotting your Tree

As your bonsai grows and matures it will need to move containers. However unlike most repotting we do not upgrade our pots to larger sizes. When the bonsai is repotted the roots should be trimmed to fit the previous container size. Average time between repotting is 5 years, however it should be checked annually to verify root ball size. When trimming the root ball, do not remove more than 1/5 of the root material. Finally when repotting keep the bonsai out of the sun/light for at least a week.

Visit us to get more info on bonsai trees, bonsai pots and bonsai plants.

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Garden Planning

June 3rd, 2008 JeffreyDorrian Posted in Gardening No Comments »

For years I have been going to the nursery in the spring and buying flowers and plants that I thought were “pretty” only to get them home and realize they don’t go together or don’t all fit in my small city garden. This year, I have decided to put a little effort into planning my garden before I go out and let my impulses drive my purchases. There are several questions you should ask yourself before you decide which plants and flowers to put in your garden.

1. What is your gardening experience level? If you’re a novice gardener, don’t fill your garden with high-maintenance, temperamental plants that require a lot of attention and knowledge. If you are interested in gaining gardening experience, I suggest that you add one higher-maintenance plant such as a rose bush which requires regular pruning to get some idea of the work involved. If you enjoy it, you can consider adding more next year.

2. What is the purpose of your garden? Some people have a garden because they love to spend hours and hours gardening. Others just want some pretty flower to look at while sitting outside on the deck. There are lots of options for the “lazy” gardener who enjoys the beauty of a garden, but doesn’t want to get her hands too dirty. Do some research before you buy or ask an expert at the garden center which plants and flowers are easiest to grow.

3. How big is your garden? You should plot out your garden space on graph paper and plan where each plant will go and how much space it will need. Be sure to allow room for plants that will need to spread out as they grow. Empty spaces can easily be filled in with small green plants or decorative rocks.

4. What color combinations will work best? Some colors go very well together while others seem to stab your eyes. It’s also important to consider the location of the garden. The surrounding structures and foliage will also help you determine the best color scheme.

5. Are you planning to grow food? Fruits and vegetables have their own requirements that must be kept in mind when planning a garden. You might choose to have a separate space for growing vegetables and keep a separate flower garden.

6. Do you want a more formal, manicured look or a natural wildflower garden? Some plants and flowers spread out on their own and require little maintenance. Occasional weeding is all that you’ll need to do for this wildflower garden. A more manicured garden obviously requires much more work. In addition to weeding, you will have to keep shrubs trimmed and pruned as well as maintaining the flowers you choose so they don’t spread out of control.

7. Have you done enough research? This might actually be a better first question to ask yourself. There are so many books, websites, and magazines dedicated to gardening, you have no excuse for not doing the research. Spend a rainy afternoon in the library browsing through gardening books and then choose two or three to check out and use in you actual plan. Visit gardening websites and get specific information about plants, vegetables, and flowers that grow best in your area.

My last word of advice is to start small and create a garden that you will enjoy for years to come. The beauty of home gardening is that you don’t have to create your dream garden all at once. Make small changes here and there throughout the season or from year to year. The creative process and the experience of nurturing your own garden can be extremely rewarding.

Jeffrey Dorrian has been making handmade soap for six years. Today you will find him writing articles about soap making, gardening and internet marketing. Making and marketing handmade soap is his main passion.

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Some Tips On Getting And Keeping A Lush Green Lawn

June 2nd, 2008 LuisSanchez Posted in Gardening No Comments »

You’ve just pulled into your host’s driveway and as you get out of the car you notice how beautiful the lawn looks and wonder why you can’t get yours to look the same. You water, feed and spray for pests, yet your lawn looks more like Charlie Brown’s lawn, instead of the lawn you’re looking at right now.

Well, I am here to tell you that you can definitely upgrade the appearance of your lawn. If you just follow a few simple steps and keep on treating your lawn with the same care you are now, then in a few weeks time, people will be looking at your lawn and wondering how you did it!

1. The most important and most overlooked step is to make sure your soil is in good shape. Once a year test the ph of your soil and make sure it falls between 6.5 and 7.0, because it has been determined that grass grown in slightly acidic soil is best able to absorb nutrients. (Soil that is too acidic can be “sweetened” with lime; soil that’s not acid enough can be made more “sour” by adding sulfur.)

2. Also, once a year, have your lawn aerated if you feel that it’s too firm or compacted. Soil that is loose enough to permit water and nutrients to filter down to the lawn’s root system will help give you a healthier lawn.

3. Your lawn needs to be fed the proper mix of nutrients, but avoid the weed and feed type of fertilizers. Find a slow release fertilizer that’s made for your type of grass, and use it once or twice a year. Apply it per the directions on the bag, but don’t use it when you expect a heavy rainfall, since that will mean money and pollution down the drain.

4. Mow your lawn before it gets to be overgrown, and take off no more than one third of the leaf height. Keeping your leaf blades between 2 and 3 inches high will allow more sunlight top be taken in. This enables it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root system, which in turn helps the grass survive drought, tolerate insect damage, and fend off diseases. Longer grass also shades the soil surface keeping it cooler, helping it retain moisture, and making it difficult for weeds to germinate and grow. Also use a mulching mower which creates smaller clippings and leave the clippings on the lawn. Don’t bag it!

5. Water deeply but not too often. The best rule is to water only when the lawn begins to wilt from dryness - when the color dulls and footprints stay compressed for more than a few seconds. It’s also best to water in the early morning, especially during hot summer months, to reduce evaporation. Apply about an inch of water - enough that it soaks 6-8 inches into the soil.

6. Be realistic! Why fight a losing battle with your lawn? Grass sometimes will not grow in certain areas so why not just place some dry-garden landscaping into that area, wood chips, or even some shade loving ornamentals? You don’t have to have a putting-green perfect lawn. Besides those plants in your small landscaped area can also be a focal point for the lawn, making a better overall impression to your visitors.

See, its not too hard to have a great looking lawn. Just remember not to over-fertilize and use the slow release type, water infrequently but deeply, and leave the clippings on the lawn and before you know it people will be looking at your lawn with envy!

You can find other articles on buying, selling and maintaining your home on, The Experts Nexus Classifieds, the place to go to place your classified ad for a fraction of the normal cost. Thanks for reading the article and I hope you found it helpful!

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Landscaping Mowers: When To Repower The Engine

June 1st, 2008 BenAnton Posted in Gardening No Comments »

Spring and summer are the seasons of the small engine vehicle. It is during these months that the lawn mowers, landscaping equipment, and golf carts get their heaviest use. It is also during this time of year that they get the most attention. These vehicles can last for many seasons over many years when properly cared for. These engines need proper attention on a regular basis so that their performance can be maintained or fixed quickly before they evolve into bigger and more serious issues. There will be times when issues with the engine cannot be fixed by simple maintenance or small fixes. When this happens, a complete overhaul or replacement of the engine may be necessary.

It is important that the owner of one of these small engine vehicles check all other possibilities before overhauling or replacing the motor all together. Odd sounds in the engine or less than ideal performance can be fixed with oil or other fluid changes, carburetor fixes, or a thorough cleaning.

The following are signs that your engine needs serious help, and may require overhauling or reporting.

Noise

Excessive noise when the mower or cart is running is the first sign that something is wrong. Knocking or banging can be caused by a worn out engine or a piece that has worn out or is about to. Don’t jump the gun, however. Noises happen. Investigate the engine through regular maintenance to see if these noises are new, understandable or fixable before going down the replacement or overhaul route. Unusual sounds may be fixed quickly. Persistent noises are signs of repair or replacement.

Mechanical

According to Samuel M. Goldwasser of Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ, broken, damaged, or bent engine parts are a strong indicator that an overhaul is needed. These types of problems may cause your mower or cart to fail to start. If the engine is able to turn over and start, damaged parts may cause vehicle shaking or vibration. Some damaged engine parts may be possible to replace separately. Major pieces, however, may require a complete engine overhaul.

Compression Changes

Low compression is caused by low oil levels or strain on rings, valves or gaskets and will result in the inability to start or keep a vehicle started. Like an automobile, failure to remain started is a clear indicate that there are problems related to the starter system and/or engine cylinders. Low compression, according to Goldwasser, may not require a complete overhaul, however, but may require replacement of the rings or cylinder head.

Overhauling a mower or cart is something that some people are comfortable doing on their own. For those that feel boring holes into cylinders and carburetors is a daunting task, repowering your small engine with a small engine replacement kit may be a better alternative to overhauling your small engine vehicle yourself. These kits are rebuilt, higher powered small engines that come with all the necessary replacement parts and clear instructions for installing it. Either will save you money in comparison with replacing the entire piece of equipment, but one may be easier and more efficient than the other.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Ben Anton works for Labworks Design, a Northwest website design firm. The Repower Specialist site is dedicated to supplying the most complete small engines repower kits for golf carts, greens mowers and other course maintenance small engines.

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The Thorny Side Of Things- Removing Thorns From Roses Properly

May 31st, 2008 K.Finch Posted in Gardening No Comments »

Who has not heard the saying: Every rose has its thorns? To many people the thorn on a rose has symbolism, whether it is spiritual or otherwise. The thorn seems to state that even the most beautiful things in life have a little bad to them. You could even say that the thorn is there to say “hey, you got to take the bad with the good.” No matter how you think of it there is some kind of meaning to it for most people.

In Roman mythology it is said that the thorns are there because Cupid was stung by a bee and started shooting arrows every where. Some arrows hit roses and because of the sting in the arrows the thorns took root and have been there ever since. Whether this is true or we will never know but if you are having trouble with thorns you should not be in despair. All you need is a little care and patience and you can remove these pesky daggers safely for a smooth stem.

When removing thorns from roses you have to be careful, the thorns are actually there to help the rose drink up the water. Therefore you have to be careful not to damage the stem when removing these sharp little daggers. It takes time and practice to know how to remove thorns without damaging the stem of the rose itself. If you accidentally peel or tear the skin you can hinder the amount water the rose gets.

You can take the thorns off the rose stems while they are still on the bush or you can wait until you have clipped them off. The best time to try and remove the thorns is when the roses are young and before they bloom if you are sure the roses will be cut sometime in the near future for what ever the reason. The proper method of dethorning roses takes time, practice and patience.

All you have to do is apply pressure to the side of the thorns and just simply push them off the stem. You can do this whether the rose is cut or still on the bush. Removing thorns from a rose can be a tedious task when doing it by hand. On some rose bushes the thorns can grow so close together that removing one is almost impossible without getting stabbed by another. This is where a dethorning tool can come in handy.

You can purchase a tool of the like called a thorn stripper, which will strip the stem of its leaves and thorns. You can also make your own by using some metal strapping that you can buy at your local hardware store. If you are going to make your own you should be sure to file the edges that will be closest to the stem of the rose, this will help not to excessively tear the stem up while dethorning the rose.

When using a dethorning tool all you have to do is hold the tool right below the flower and close the jaws and apply a little pressure and drag the tool down the stem. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or you could tear up the skin on the stem or you could even sever the stem. If you do this and heed the advice given, the thorns should pop right off. This may take a bit of practice but after a few tries you will know what pressure is needed to be applied.

You can also use a knife to remove the thorns from the stems of your roses. You can use a floral or a small paring knife to do this. When removing thorns and leaves from the rose stems you want to think about only removing the thorns and leaves that are going to be below the water level if you are going to put the flowers in a vase. Also you should only remove the thorns if the roses are going to be held or pinned on the body.

Remember that removing thorns from the stems can shorten the life of the roses. A good time to dethorn your roses is when you are making a plant litter pile to go into your compost pile. This will make it safer for you to work in your garden. After removing the dead and decaying roses from your bush or the vase in your home, remove the thorns and throw the remaining parts into your compost pile to help fertilize the ground.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

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Top Roses To Choose If You Don’t Want Thorns

May 31st, 2008 K.Finch Posted in Gardening No Comments »

Most people can barely imagine having roses without having thorns. They are so beautiful that most people are willing to risk the pain of the thorns. However, today there are a variety of different options available. In fact, today there are various rose varieties that are actually thornless. So, let’s take a look at some of the top roses that don’t have the thorns anymore. You’ll be able to get rid of those gardening gloves and go on dealing with your roses without having to worry about thorns.

Rose #1 – The Banksias Rose – This is a rose that is just about thornless and it has been very popular with many gardeners. It was first introduced in Kew Gardens, just about 200 years ago. This Banksias Rose usually has many blooms on it during the flowering season of about two months. You’ll find that it blooms in the early fall, in September and October and there are beautiful yellow double bloom flowers that look amazing. While the flowers are not that big, with so many on one bush, they are totally spectacular.

This type of a rose is a rambling rose that grows freely. However, you’ll find that you can easily keep it in place by trimming it, since there are no thorns to worry about. It is important to note that this rose should not be pruned during the winter months, but it should be trimmed right after it finishes blooming. The flowers of this rose are produced in the wood from the growing season previous, so pruning during the winter months can be disastrous.

You’ll find that the Banksias Rose is admired around the world, especially since it is easy to care for and grow. It is just about totally disease resistant and you don’t have to worry about using fungicide sprays on a regular basis. Usually you won’t want to use commercial fertilizer on it often either, and it should be planted in a sunny area that is well drained.

Rose #2 – The Zephirine Drouhin – This is probably the most popular rose that is nearly thornless. It was named after the wife of a French man who was a rose enthusiast, and her name was Zephirine Drouhin. This is a lovely Bourbon rose that should be planted in an area that will allow you to enjoy the wonderful fragrance of the rose. You’ll find that it is a moderate climber that grows to about 10-12 fee high, even though some have reported that it can climb quite a bit higher. It is quite easy to train this rose to grow on an archway, up your porch rails, or even to grow on a trellis. Since it is just about thornless, you can easily handle it. The flowers on it are big and dark pink, and they bloom from about May to when the first frost is.

This rose bush is well known for the shade tolerance and it grows best in moist soil that is in the shade. You’ll need great air circulation for your Sephirine Drouhin in order to keep fungal disease under control. If you want to keep it flowering well and help it resist diseases, you’ll want to plant it in the full sun. You should prune it during the dormant season and you should destroy the dead leaves around it as well to keep disease away. The Zephirine Drouhin is quite susceptible to black spot, mildew, Rose rosette, and rust.

Rose #3 – The Smooth Buttercup Thornless – This is a variety of nearly thornless rose that has been praised by gardeners across the world and has won a variety of prizes as well. This is a compact floribunda that has clusters of blossoms that are golden in color. You’ll find that the Smooth Buttercup Thornless repeatedly blooms throughout the entire growing season and the blooms have a light fragrance as well.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

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Home Improvement With Garden Designs

May 31st, 2008 JimAmes Posted in Gardening No Comments »

You may want garden designs, but you may not have any idea where to start. Well, help is here!

You can start small to see what you can do on your own, or you can always ask someone for help. You can find many contractors who work in home improvement stores who specialize in gardening. You can find them where you might suspect; in the garden section, working part time, or they may have left their business cards on a bulletin board there.

If someone is not there that can help you with the basics of garden designs, you can ask when someone might be in that knows what they are doing so you know when to go back. They may even have some gardening classes that you can attend, and these are normally free or low cost.

If you want to tackle garden designs without any outside help, but you are really coming up empty when thinking about what you want to do, you can always find ideas in many other places:

1) You can find some great ideas by doing an image search for gardens on the Internet

2) You can look through gardening library books and magazines for new ideas; use some of the ideas you find to make up your very own garden designs. You will have something that is all your own if you mix and match, and then add some things that are special to you.

3) After your first round, you may find you have enough info combined with ideas of your own, so you won’t need to go elsewhere. If not, ask relatives, neighbors and friends for advice and tips.

The bottom line is this, gardening is something that many do for a love of nature and for a chance to relax. Some do a little, and are happy with that, but others take it much more seriously. They may come up with amazing garden designs that would take your breath away. Those are always a lot of fun to view, and can be even more fun to grow. It might be compared to putting together a very complicated puzzle and hoping everything comes out just right.

If you want to put together your own garden designs for your home improvement projects, you should think a lot about your skill and knowledge of plants. You want to think about color and design, but you also have to think about caring for the various plants that you choose. Some are harder than others to care for, and that can be problematic for those who don’t have a lot of time to mess with hard to care for plants. If you are pretty sure you have the time and the talent, go ahead and see what you can do on your own.

Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com for your home improvement projects! And keep up with the latest home improvement tips for your home and family.

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The Rose Garden’s Ten Most Wanted List

May 31st, 2008 K.Finch Posted in Gardening No Comments »

The following insects have made it to the Rose Garden’s Ten Most Wanted list. Read carefully so you can identify them and eradicate them from your garden.

1. Aphids

Aphids top this list because they are the most frequent rose pest. They love to nestle into the buds and shoots of rose bushes. While low to moderate levels of aphids will not do much harm to your roses, you need to keep an eye on how they spread. High numbers of aphids will produce a lot of honeydew. This substance encourages mold growth and will eventually cause your rose leaves to blacken. You may notice that your flowers shrink in size and the buds may even be killed. Lady beetles and syrphid flies are the natural enemies to aphids and will keep the population under control. You can also spray the plant with water or insecticidal soap. Aphids are usually a problem during spring and early summer. Unless you have a really heavy infestation, it is uncommon to have to use insecticides against them.

2. Spider Mites

If you notice your rose leaves are stippled or dried up and dropping to the ground, you may be infested with spider mites. These little insects are so tiny you may need a magnifying glass to see them. They like dry, dusty conditions. You can control spider mites by providing a little more water to your roses to cut down on dust.

3. Fuller Rose Beetles

Adult Fuller Rose beetles will eat at the flowers and leaves on your roses. Look for ragged edges on your foliage and blooms. They eat at night and hide all day on the underside of leaves. The best way to control them is to pick them by hand, since pesticides are not effective against them.

4. Thrips

Thrips leave brown streaks down the flower petals. When roses are planted close together thrips can become a big problem because it is easy for them to move from plant to plant. They like light colored or white roses best. Pesticides are only effective against thrips during their developmental stage. If you notice a thrip problem, clip and dispose of all infected blossoms.

5. Caterpillars

Some caterpillars do eat rose leaves. If you find any, remove the rolled up leaves and cut off any buds that have been damaged. Usually, caterpillars won’t harm the plant enough to make any permanent damage.

5. Rose Slug

The rose slug is actually the larva of a sawfly. They look like caterpillars since they have legs. Wash them off with a good spray of water or let one of their natural enemies do the dirty work for you.

7. Leafcutter Bees

Leafcutter bees cut semi-circular holes in rose leaves to take back to their nests. There is really no way to fight them other than killing them. It is recommended by many sources not to kill bees since they do all the pollinating, so you may just need to put up with this.

8. Rose Curculio

Yellow and white roses are the preferred targets of rose curculios. They are only about a quarter inch long, but that doesn’t stop them from punching holes in buds and flowers. The larvae eat developing buds, so the blossoms are killed before they even have an opportunity to open. You can get an insecticide against rose curculios at your local garden center.

9. Flat headed Borers

Flat headed borers will kill the canes. With enough damage, they can kill the entire plant. Remove any infested material and keep your roses healthy by not over pruning in the summer. Make sure your roses get enough water.

10. Scale Insects

Scale also poses a threat to your rose canes. Scale insects have armored scales. When you see them on a plant they look like gray round or oval bumps. They really don’t move since they have no legs, so once you see them, you know where they are. The best way to combat scale insects is to prune infected canes and put pesticide oil on the canes that are left.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

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The Five Best Hybrid Roses

May 31st, 2008 K.Finch Posted in Gardening No Comments »

Do you enjoy roses and their pure elegance? Do you like getting roses for a special occasion? Do you wish you could have a garden full of roses each year? Many people enjoy all of these things; however, some of us are not born with green thumbs, and some of us never seem to obtain that green thumb. If you are completely new with gardening or you seem to kill even the easiest to take care of indoor plants, don’t fret. With the vast variety of roses, there are many hearty roses that do not require a lot of work. Whether you’re a new gardener, you don’t have time to take care of a rose garden, or you don’t have a green thumb, a hybrid rose bush might be your best option.

1. One of the best roses around is the Betty Prior Rose. This bush blooms during growing season, and the blooms never seem to end! The roses that this plant produces are breathtaking. The buds start off pink and blossom into a beautiful white rose. These roses are perfect for a gift or to keep around the house! The bush is very compact and it usually never grows over 3 ft. The Betty Prior Rose is very hardy and it is a great choice for anyone who loves roses but does not always have the time or experience to take care of them.

2. Another great rose bush that does not require a lot of attention is the Knockout Rose. This bush produces lovely roses that come in all different shades of pink, from magenta to a light pastel pink. This hybrid rose bush is one of the most enjoyable. It is very disease resistant, so you never have to worry about purchasing fungicides or spending time checking the leaves of the bush every week. It is also known to minimally attract insects. The Knockout Rose bush is very hardy and can even last in cold weather. The bush needs only a few hours of sun to live, so you can plant it anywhere!

3. The Nearly Wild rose bush is the perfect bush that is tough yet beautiful. The bush is known for its wildness because it grows and grows. When it grows, the Nearly Wild produces a thick bushy shrub. It does not grow very tall, ranging from 2ft. to 3ft. and it spreads and spreads. The flowers also add to this bush’s greatness. The blooms are a beautiful pink that no one would want to pass up.

4. The Rugosa Magnifica hybrid rose bush is also one that requires minimal work. This rose has been around since 1905. The bush is able to live in all sorts of weather conditions, whether it is warm, cold, or a drought; the Rugosa Magnifica bush will still produce blossoms of color! This bush can be planted anywhere in the world, no matter where you live. From beachside to countryside, this hybrid rose bush is sure to provide you with the flowers you want. The roses are usually a crimson red, perfect to give to your significant other or an important friend. This bush can grow to be slightly taller than others, usually ranging from 5 ft. to 6 ft. The Rugosa Magnifica is a preferred bush because it is insect resistant and flowers more than once. The flowers keep on coming!

5. The Belle Poitevine Rugosa, which is related to the Rugosa Magnifica, is another hardy bush for any rose lover. This bush is so hardy that it can tolerate poor soil. If you have soil that is rocky or mixed with clay, this bush is perfect for you. The Belle Poitevine Rugosa can also live in the shade. The flowers are a lovely magenta color that is accented by dark green leaves. The blossoms are large and usually come more than once in the blooming season. The best part of this rose bush is that it provides a very strong scent. If you enjoy smelling the roses, this is the bush for you.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

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Tea Roses – Tips To Help You Make The Best Choice

May 31st, 2008 K.Finch Posted in Gardening No Comments »

When many people think of rose beauty, they think of tea roses. They usually come with fragrant large blooms that are simply elegant, vibrant in color, and with velvet petals. If you want to add tea roses to your rose garden, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with all the different varieties to choose from. In fact, there are actually hundreds of tea roses to choose from. You’ll find them in various colors, sizes, and shapes. So, here are a few tips that will help make your choice a bit simpler for you as you pick the perfect tea rose for your garden.

Tip #1 – Make Sure it Will Do Well in Your Climate – One of the most important things to keep in mind when picking out tea roses is to make sure the one you pick will do well in the climate that you live in. If you live in an area that is quite warm, make sure that your tea rose can stand the heat. Live in a humid area? Then make sure the tea rose can resist various fungal diseases. Also, make sure that your rose is hardy during the cold as well.

Tip #2 – Read the Labels – Usually you’ll find that the tea roses come with a description or label. Even if you look at it and love it, make sure that you read the label information on it. The last thing you want is a rose that won’t thrive well for you, so read it first, even if you love it right away.

Tip #3 – Do You Want Fragrance – Are you looking for a tea rose that has a nice fragrance or do they cause you to sneeze and have a runny nose? There are some tear roses that smell wonderful and others that barely smell at all. Decide whether or not you really want a rose that has fragrance and this will help you make your choice.

Tip #4 – Know the Growth Habits – Make sure that you are aware of the growth habits of the tea rose when making your choice as well. Does it spread out, climb, ramble, or does it do well as a ground cover. Think about where you want to plant it in your garden and in what direction you want it to grow. Also, know how high it will grown and how wide. You don’t want to plant a rose that ends up too big for the location you have for it.

Tip #5 – Is it Disease Resistant? – You’ll find that every tea rose can get disease, but there are some that are more disease resistant than other ones. If you don’t want to deal with diseases, make sure that you go with tea roses that are known as disease resistant

Tip #6 – Consider the Care – You’ll also need to think about the amount of care that you can give your tea roses as well. There are some tea roses that take more attention than others do in order to survive. If you don’t think you have plenty of time to give a certain tea rose the amount of attention that it will need, then consider going with one that only needs minimal attention from time to time.

Tip #7 – Are You Going to Produce Cut Flowers – It is important that you consider whether or not you want to use your tea roses to produce cut flowers. There are some types of tea roses that are better for cutting and displaying, but others can be quite fragile if they are cut.

Tip #8 – Go with Healthy Plants – If you go out to a nursery to pick out your tea roses, make sure you pick out ones that look healthy. Look for plants that have three canes that look strong. Also, avoid going with ones that have branches that are damages, roots that are brown, or foliage that is shriveled. Make sure the roots are b right white and that they have buds on the stems as well.

Tip #9 – Take Color into Consideration – You’ll also want to consider the different colors available as well. Think about how different colors will go with the rest of your rose garden. Think about how the tea rose in full bloom will go with the rest of the flowers and the area around it as well.

Tip #10 – Reputable Companies – When purchasing your tea roses, you should make sure that you only purchase them from reputable companies. You don’t want to try to save money by buying from cheap companies. The last thing you need is a sick plant, especially since disease can spread, so make sure you get it from a great company.

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

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