Roses Are Red…and White, Pink, Yellow, Apricot, Multi-colored, etc...But NEVER BLUE!

roses

Hybridizers are working constantly to create a blue rose…

A truly blue rose has been the Holy Grail of rose breeders since 1840 when horticultural societies of Britain and Belgium offered a prize of 500,000 francs to the first person to produce a blue rose. Molecular geneticists at Florigene and Suntory have made some progress toward this elusive plant. However, such roses are still mauve or dusty pink shades. We will all know when the BLUE rose is available. It will be announced with great joy!

From Wikipedia:
“Blue roses do not exist in nature. Faux blue roses were traditionally created by dyeing white roses, since the flower lacks the gene that produces true blue flowers.”

--Ruth
 

How To: Pruning Shrub Roses

spring , techniques , roses

Now is the perfect time to get your shrub roses in shape for spring! During their first two seasons, allow the plant’s basic framework to develop, pruning only the small spindly shoots. In the third year trim off the top 1/3 of the plant allowing all branches to reach a uniform shape.

The ideal time to prune is late winter before new growth starts in the spring. Trim off weak, diseased or winter-damaged wood that looks brown and dry on the outside. Remove any branch crossing or rubbing against another. Always leave the newest, healthiest cane. Trim shrub roses back to 12” to 18”.

Pruning tools include shears or a lopper. Always wear gloves and a long sleeved shirt when trimming roses. Use pruning shears designed for roses. A 2” blade works best. A long-handled lopper may be used for larger, more mature canes (branches).