Evaluation of Low-maintenance Landscape Roses in Central Flo

[henry_kuska]

“Environmental conditions in Florida are favorable for the development and persistence of insects and diseases that affect rose (Rosa sp.) plants, necessitating periodic applications of pesticides to maintain plant appearance. In addition, nutrient-deficient and well-drained soils in Florida force gardeners to provide supplemental fertilizer and water. Landscape performance is rarely considered for the development of new rose cultivars; consequently, careful selection of cultivars adapted to local conditions is necessary to reduce maintenance. The objective of this study was to develop recommendations of own-root, low-maintenance roses among 11 old garden and modern cultivars for central Florida. Plants were provided with minimal amounts of water and fertilizer, no control for diseases and insects, and no grooming or deadheading. Weekly evaluations were performed on all plants for plant quality, flower coverage; and incidence of black spot (caused by Diplocarpon rosae), cercospora leaf spot (caused by Cercospora rosicola), and foliar damage [caused by chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)]. Damage caused by the foliar diseases and chilli thrips were the major factors that affected plant quality, vigor, and subsequently, flower production. Differences in susceptibility to these three factors were found among cultivars, enabling the classification of the 11 cultivars as recommended, cautiously recommended, and not recommended for central Florida. After two years, ‘Mrs. B.R. Cant’ appeared to be the most suited for central Florida as plant quality and flower production were fairly constant. ‘Duchesse de Brabant’, ‘RADrazz’ (Knock Out®), and ‘Spice’ were the next best performers and are cautiously recommended for central Florida. These cultivars were minimally affected by both diseases, showing low severity of yellowing and defoliation nor a decline in flower production. “Bailey Red”, ‘Old Blush’, ‘Belinda’s Dream’, ‘Perle d’Or’, ‘BUCbi’ (Carefree Beautyâ„¢), ‘Mutabilis’, and ‘WEKcisbako’ (Home Run®) had severe defoliation, poor growth, and low vigor in this study and do not appear to be low-maintenance landscape roses for central Florida.”

http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/23/2/252.abstract?etoc

[Karl_K]

The American Rose Magazine (May-June 1936)

Favorite Hybrid Tea Roses in Florida

By MRS. H. K. WOODRUFF, Cocoa, Florida

IN THE March-April Magazine I was sadly surprised to learn that Florida had made no reports on roses last year. We have been “going places” in the cultivation of roses in Florida the last few years; we have even learned that there are other than Radiance roses which will bloom and prosper.

I really think that it is to be greatly deplored that winter residents usually grow only Radiance. We have very definitely proved on this central east coast of Florida that Betty Uprichard, President Herbert Hoover, the exquisite Etoile de Hollande, and particularly Talisman, bloom long before Radiance bushes set out at the same time. This means that the average winter resident probably coming to Florida in November or December, will find his Talisman roses blooming, when not even a bud appears on the sturdy Radiance.

Each of the four above-mentioned roses has its faults, but so do each of the three Radiance types. Radiance becomes magenta in a few days (it really becomes sadly like a miniature purple cabbage, even though the bud is so exquisite); Red Radiance becomes a still more doleful purple, and the very lovely Mrs. Charles Bell, which I like quite the best of the three, is a victim of our worst enemy, thrips, so that we seldom have a perfect bloom from February until May.

We think Betty Uprichard our one best rose. To be sure it opens up semi-double or almost single, but we like single roses, and the bud is glorious. In the cool winter it lasts several days if picked in an almost tight bud. I remember once reading an article by Dr. McFarland in which he stated that it was impossible to describe the color of Betty Uprichard, and, following his example, I am not going to try. The only fault of Etoile de Hollande is a tendency to droop slightly in warm weather. We do not have much trouble in this regard in the winter. Though President Herbert Hoover is generally listed by the real rose-growers in central Florida as being stronger than Talisman, we have had great difficulty in getting it started.

It makes a beautiful beginning, but then the cold winds kill the young growth and it soon dies. However, we pulled through about half of the number we planted, and the results are well worth while. The color in this climate is much better than Talisman, and fades out a lovely pink rather than the somewhat dingy brown of that variety. We are going to try putting it in a little earlier next year, perhaps shading it with palmetto fans; at any rate, we can’t do without the lovely Hoover.

Talisman puts on its charming light green foliage almost instantly, and in a very few weeks will probably have four or five exquisite buds at one time. Its particular fault is the tendency to fade badly in the early spring, and probably die in the summer, but it has been well worth while.

Perhaps I should have added Antoine Rivoire to the best four roses. Its foliage is absolutely disease-proof, as compared to most Florida roses. It seldom “thrips,” which is most unusual in so light a rose, and it is beautiful in every stage of development. I do not like the descriptions of this rose — they never do it justice. I think it is enough to say that it is a very delicately shaded light pink, of medium size and unusual and perfect form. It doesn’t do so well the first year as the first four roses mentioned, but, with reasonable care it should be blooming lavishly the second fall, and sometimes it lasts for years. It is very distinctive with its light green wood and fine foliage.