Content
- 1 History of selection
- 2 Description of the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent and characteristics
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
- 4 Reproduction methods
- 5 Growing and care
- 6 Pests and diseases
- 7 Application in landscape design
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews with photos about the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent
Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent received the varietal name after the royal person (a relative of Queen Elizabeth II). The lady was a big lover of flowers. The culture belongs to the elite English species. This variety is distinguished by large, densely double buds and a delicate fruity aroma. Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent has received many international awards and was recognized at the prestigious Glasgo 29 and Desert Rose Society Show competitions.
History of selection
The rose Princess Alexandra of Kent was bred by a British breeder, David Austin. The birth date of the new culture is considered to be 2007. The florist decided to revive ancient luxurious bush varieties, embodying their appearance in new hybrids, preserving the fresh aroma and refined beauty. The manufacturer has registered the David Austin Roses brand in the UK. The varieties of English selection are characterized by densely double buds of an ancient shape. Other names of the described culture: Ausmerchant, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Austin.
Description of the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent and characteristics
This is a low shrub, the length of its shoots does not exceed 60 cm. In the southern regions they grow up to 1.5 m, where the rose is used as a climbing crop. The plant is compact, round in shape, lush, approximately 70 cm wide.
The stems are long, strong, thickened, branched, and densely covered with thorns. The leaves are small, characteristic of roses, dark green, glossy, densely covering the shoots.
In the north, Princess Alexandra is a low-growing variety, in the south it grows up to 1.5 m
The flowers are large, up to 12 cm in diameter, round, densely double (number of petals 130), formed into a cup-shaped rosette. There are a lot of them on the shoots, they grow in clusters. The color of the buds is intense pink, with a warm undertone. The center of the flower is darker, the edges of the petals are light. They may turn creamy or peachy in late summer.
Each bud of the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent is filled with petals, there can be from 100 to 150 pieces
At the beginning of flowering, the fresh aroma of the buds is similar to a tea rose, then becomes lemony, and you can also smell subtle notes of black currant. The process of ovary formation begins in June and lasts until the first frost.
The half-opened ovaries of the Princess Alexandra of Kent rose are deep pink, later acquiring a peachy, warm hue
Flowering is vigorous and continuous. The rose variety Princess Alexandra of Kent is frost-resistant and can be grown in the northern regions of the country. The culture is immune to fungi: powdery mildew (ashberry), black spot. The rose Princess Alexandra of Kent also rarely suffers from slugs, mites and aphids.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The culture has practically no disadvantages.The only negative is the demands on soil composition and lighting.
Positive qualities of a rose:
- decorativeness;
- adaptability to climatic conditions;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- Princess Alexandra of Kent has a delicate aroma;
- After blooming, the buds do not lose their neatness and tolerate rain well.
The rose selected by David Austin, Princess Alexandra of Kent, serves as a decoration for flower beds and park alleys; it can be grown as a climbing plant and is also suitable for cutting.
In a vase after cutting, the rose Alexandra of Kent remains fresh for up to 10 days
Reproduction methods
The best way to propagate the Princess Alexandra of Kent rose is to take cuttings. The procedure is carried out after the first flowering. Strong, non-lignified stems are cut off and divided into 10 cm pieces. The cut is made at an angle of 45ᵒ, the lower leaves are removed, the upper leaves are shortened by half.
The leaves are cut off to stop the evaporation of moisture from the stem
The resulting cuttings are immersed in a root formation stimulator for a day. Afterwards, the shoots are inserted into the ground at an angle, deepening by 2 cm. For planting, choose loose, fertile soil; a mixture of sand and peat, taken in equal quantities, is also suitable. Then the seedlings are watered and covered with glass jars or plastic cups. Plants are placed in a well-lit, warm place; direct sunlight should be avoided.
As the soil dries, water it. The jar is removed for a few minutes, and the plants are sprayed with a spray bottle.
After a month, the cuttings of the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent will form roots and leaves will appear.
After the formation of real leaf plates, the plant is considered completely ready for planting.
During this period, the shelter in the form of a jar is removed. The seedlings are put into the basement to overwinter.In spring they are ready to take root in open ground.
Growing and care
For planting, choose a slightly shaded place: the park English rose Princess Alexandra of Kent does not tolerate direct sunlight. The bush is rooted for a long time, since the crop does not tolerate transplants. A flower bed with roses should be ventilated, but it should be protected from drafts. It is also preferable to choose a hill to avoid stagnation of water at the roots.
To root the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent, you need nutritious, acidic and loose soil; black soil or loam is suitable. It is recommended to add humus to depleted soil before planting.
Landing algorithm:
- Dig a hole 0.7 m deep and 0.5 m wide.
- Place a layer of gravel or expanded clay on the bottom.
- Sprinkle the drainage with rotted compost.
- Make a small elevation from garden soil.
- Lower the seedling into the hole, placing the root shoots along the slope of the earthen hill.
- Fill the hole with soil, deepening the root collar by 3 cm.
- Compact the soil and water generously.
The next day after planting, the soil is loosened, mulched, and weeds around are removed.
In the process of rooting several rose bushes, maintain a distance between them of at least 50 cm
Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent needs regular feeding. In the spring, liquid fertilizers with nitrogen are applied under the bush. During the flowering period, the crop needs phosphorus-potassium supplements.
The rose bush is watered as the soil dries out. Be sure to loosen the soil and remove weeds. Instead of these manipulations, you can mulch the soil around the rose.
In the spring, sanitary and anti-aging pruning of the bush is carried out, and in the fall - shaping. It is important to promptly remove pest-affected or dried parts of the plant.
Before the onset of winter, the Princess Alexandra of Kent rose is covered with soil mixed with compost or humus. As soon as the air temperature drops below 0 ᵒC, the bush is covered with spruce branches, covered with film on top, and the material is fixed.
Pests and diseases
Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent is resistant to diseases of flowering crops and garden pests. For prevention, the bush is regularly inspected, especially in the spring and during the flowering period. At the first signs of damage by insects or fungi, the rose is treated with appropriate preparations, and the affected parts of the plant are destroyed.
Application in landscape design
Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent is used for group plantings of 3-4 bushes per flowerbed. Such compositions are easy to perform and quite popular.
A monoflower of roses does not need additional planting, as it is beautiful in itself
The crop also fits organically into the design of a mixborder or park area; it is used as a tapeworm or hedge. Inconspicuous plants and herbs are planted next to the luxuriously flowering shrubs: catnip, lavender, salvia.
Conclusion
Rose Princess Alexandra of Kent is an English varietal that has received prestigious awards for its magnificent flowering and delicate aroma of buds. The hybrid was bred on the basis of ancient species, which are distinguished by lush, dense flowers.The culture has become widespread due to its unpretentiousness and ability to adapt to almost any climatic conditions.
Reviews with photos about the rose Princess Alexandra of Kent
