Caring For Roses In Connecticut

If you’re like me, you’re probably a bit cautious when purchasing roses, especially if you too are addicted to the seductive hybrid tea. I have lost dozens of hybrid teas in the past 21 years. I blamed the losses on Connecticut winters but frigid weather was not the only culprit. 

After two decades of taking classes and hands-on experience with many types of roses, I learned three valuable lessons:

  1. Success with roses begins at the point of sale. Knowing the different types of roses and their vulnerabilities goes a long way in succeeding with roses.
  2. We live in a zone that is not conducive to hybrid teas. It’s Zone 6b, established by the USDA and indicated on their Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
  3. There are real differences in the survival rates among varieties of roses. The most resilient, disease-resistant and compatible within our zone tend to be shrub roses. 

In addition to winter hardiness and resilience, I wanted the look and fragrance of old roses, without the vulnerability to pests and diseases. So if you want thriving cultivars, shrub roses are the way to go.

Most of our roses are from David Austin, bred by crossing old garden roses with shrub roses. That way, you get the delicacy and charm of heirloom roses like alba, bourbon, damask and species roses, with the hardiness and reliability of shrubs that are easy to grow. Add to that the disease-resistance and the repeat flowering that comes from  modern breeding and you have quite a collection of outstanding cultivars. 

But breeding alone is still not enough. Even among these hardy shrub cultivars, I have found differences in their ability to survive and thrive in our Fairfield rose garden. Bigger and healthier roses require a balance of fresh air, soil and nutrients. Two inches of water (4 to 5 gallons) a week is probably adequate. A word about feeding: a monthly dose (usually a capful) with Bayer Advanced All In One Rose & Flower Care around the drip line of each rose keeps these treasures looking their best.

Here are the survivors and the victims of some of our most difficult winters (2008, 2013 and 2014). I have also listed the breeder. Most if not all should be available at local garden centers. Many David Austin Roses are also available from his website in bare root form.


Climbing Constance Spry rises with the morning sun

Rose Survivors

These beauties rose to the occasion year after year.

Amber/Yellow

  • English Garden (David Austin)
  • Golden Celebration (David Austin)
  • Golden Unicorn (Griffith Buck Roses)
  • Graham Thomas (David Austin)
  • Marie Curie – wears like iron. Widely spreading Floribunda. (Meilland Romantica Roses)
  • Pat Austin (David Austin)

Pink

  • Constance Spry Climbing (David Austin) Austin’s first commercially available rose. It has survived 20 years in our garden.
  • Heritage (David Austin)
  • Othello (David Austin)
  • Polar Ice hybrid rugosa rose (Star Roses) white blushed with pink
  • Polar Sun hybrid rugosa rose (Star Roses) medium pink

White

  • Crocus Rose (David Austin)
  • Guinevere (David Austin)
  • Iceberg — wears like iron (Star Roses)
  • Winchester Cathedral (David Austin)

Red/Purple

  • Tess of the D’Urbervilles (David Austin)
  • Trandescent (David Austin)

Photos of Survivors: 


Winchester Cathedral (white)


Othello (pink)


Pat Austin (amber)


Marie Curie


Heritage


Rose Victims: R.I.P.

These roses could not survive our winters. Not surprising, many of them are hybrid teas.

Amber/Yellow

  • Charlotte (David Austin)
  • English Garden (David Austin)
  • Jean Giono (Hybrid Tea)
  • Jude the Obscure (David Austin)
  • Peace (Hybrid Tea)
  • Sun Flare (Floribunda)

Pink

  • August Renoir (Hybrid Tea) 
  • Eden (Hybrid Tea)
  • Princess Alexandra of Kent (David Austin)
  • Queen Elizabeth (Floribunda)
  • Yves Piaget (Hybrid Tea)

White

  • Charles Aznavour (Hybrid Tea)
  • Fair Bianca (David Austin)
  • Glamis Castle (David Austin)
  • Tchaikovsky (Hybrid Tea)

Red/Purple

  • Don Juan (Hybrid Tea)
  • Falstaff (David Austin)
  • Mayflower (David Austin)
  • Prospero (David Austin)
  • Rouge Royale (Hybrid Tea)
  • Tradescent (David Austin)
  • Traviata (Hybrid Tea)
  • Wenlock (David Austin)

 

Editor’s Note:  Gerard’s Rose Garden will be featured on the Hidden Garden Tour, Sunday June 12. For details and ticket information, visit the Westport Historical Society website.

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