Santa Cruz Mountains, CA (Zone 9a) | July 2005 | neutral
This rose seems to be unsuited to the growing conditions at our house. When we put in a semi-circular brick patio in the garden three yea...Read Morers ago, we planned to edge it with roses to compliment the Zepherine Drouhin and Sally Holmes climbers on the arched trellis that led to the space. I carefully researched roses that were the right color, not too tall to obscure the beautiful view across the valley and that bloomed throughout the summer. Sexy Rexy won out.
I planted eleven plants. They are on drippers and get regular feeding with an organic rose fertilzer and foliage feeding with MaxiSea. I can't blame the rose for early spring problems. We get high winds and driving rain with cool moist air off the ocean in spring and early summer (which also keeps most Homo sapiens from using the patio). This promotes black spot and broken branches even in the hardiest of plants. I use an organic form of Rose Defense for the black spot.
But by mid-June or early July we have consistenly warm balmy days with little fog and plenty of sunshine. In spite of that, I cannot coax these roses out of their malaise and get them to look healthy in August, September, and October--our true summer season.
I am giving them extra TLC this year, but it is a test to see if they should stay. If not, I will try to find them happier homes (with someone else.)
Editor's Note
Plant Patent number 6713 has expired
This rose seems to be unsuited to the growing conditions at our house. When we put in a semi-circular brick patio in the garden three yea...Read More