Content
A miniature shrub strewn with large flowers is the dream of many gardeners. And this is exactly what the Lavender Ice rose is, which can decorate any area. It amazes not only with the large size of the buds, but also with their lavender-lilac color, as well as an attractive aroma.
Due to its compact size, Rose Lavender Ice is more suitable for growing in the foreground of a flower bed.
History of selection
In 2008, as a result of the painstaking work of the German breeders of the Rosen Tantau company, an amazing plant was born that combines two seemingly incompatible qualities - miniature size and impressively sized buds. And this was the floribunda rose variety Lavender Ice, which not only looks compact, but also has an original coloring of the buds. Its soft lavender flowers shimmer with a bluish-silver tone in the sun, which is why it was given the name “lavender ice.”
Description of rose Lavender Ice and characteristics
It is not for nothing that the Lavender Ice rose is classified as miniature, because the height of the bush occasionally exceeds 50 cm. Only with good care and favorable climatic conditions can you find a plant that has reached 1 m. In width it grows up to 60 cm.
There is a moderate amount of green mass, while the leaf blades are not large, but with a pleasant olive tint. The edges are slightly serrated and the surface of the leaves is glossy. The shoots are erect, strong, the apex is rosette-shaped. From two to five buds are formed on one peduncle. Their shape is similar to a saucer, the diameter varies from 7 to 9 cm. The bush is especially beautiful at the peak of flowering, when the buds are in full bloom. The outer petals have a light, soft lilac hue, and the center is a brighter purple. When burned in the sun, the flower fades, acquiring a grayish-pink color with an ashen tint. And, despite the fact that the Lavender Ice rose belongs to the floribunda group, it has a delicate and very attractive aroma.
Flowering is abundant, often repeated. And the last wave occurs in autumn, with the flowers remaining on the bush until the first frost.
The bush's resistance to frost is quite high; it is also worth noting its immunity to powdery mildew and black spot. But the rose shows a negative character in response to heavy rainfall. The petals fall off faster and the opening of the buds decreases.
The Lavender Ice rose is unpretentious in care, but it is best not to ignore the standard growing rules so that the plant enjoys abundant and longer flowering.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Like all garden flowers, the Lavender Ice rose has a number of advantages and disadvantages.Of course, this variety has many times more positive aspects, which attracts many rose growers, both experienced and beginners.
The name of the Lavender Ice rose contains the word “Ice” for a reason, as it tolerates low temperatures well
Pros:
- high survival rate of seedlings;
- possibility of growing in areas with unfavorable climate;
- buds beautiful in shape and color;
- pleasant unobtrusive aroma;
- abundant and wavy flowering before the onset of cold weather;
- ease of care;
- frost resistance;
- high resistance to diseases and pests.
Minuses:
- the small height of the bush, which limits its use in the landscape;
- in rainy weather the buds bloom more slowly.
Reproduction methods
Since the Lavender Ice rose is a hybrid, only vegetative methods are used for its propagation, this allows one to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the plant. And cuttings are considered the most common.
The material for propagation of Lavender Ice is cut from an adult bush after the first wave of flowering. The cuttings are chosen to be strong, their length should be about 10-15 cm. The cutting is carried out at an angle of 450 directly under the lower bud, the upper cut is made straight 0.5 cm above the upper bud. Then the cuttings are dipped into the biostimulator for about a day (the number of hours kept depends on the type of preparation). Afterwards they are planted at an angle in fertile soil and sprinkled with sand. Be sure to cover it with film or a plastic container.
Growing and care
Lavender Ice rose seedlings are planted in late April, early May. Before this time, preparatory work must be carried out.
The key to the successful development of the plant will be the choice of location for the future bush. It is best to give preference to an open area, but so that at noon the bush is located in partial shade, and the sun warms it up in the morning and evening hours. It is also advisable to protect the rose from draft winds.
Black soil is considered the ideal soil for the Lavender Ice variety. If loam predominates on the site, then the soil must be enriched with organic fertilizers. In this case, acidity should be at a low level, ideal would be within 6-6.5 pH. You can reduce its indicator using lime or ash.
After planting the Lavender Ice rose, timely watering is carried out. This variety loves moisture, so the soil needs to be watered at least once a week at the rate of 10-15 liters per bush. If the weather is dry, then the amount of irrigation should be increased to twice a week.
After watering, be sure to loosen the soil and weed around the bush. These procedures will provide better aeration and prevent the occurrence of diseases that can cause weeds.
After planting, you don’t need to feed the Lavender Ice rose for the first 1-2 years, but after that you should pay more attention to fertilizing the soil. It is best to apply nitrogen-containing complexes in the spring, and in the summer you can limit yourself to potassium and phosphorus preparations.
Pruning is performed about 3-4 times per season. As a rule, sanitary cleaning of the bush is carried out in spring and autumn, removing all frozen and dried shoots. In summer, only faded buds are removed.
In an adult Lavender Ice rose bush, the buds are swelling; all developing buds are cut off so that the plant gains more strength.
It is necessary to cover the rose if the winter is very frosty and long. For this, spruce spruce branches and non-woven material are used. First, sanitary autumn pruning is carried out, then the bush is covered with soil, then the frame is installed and covered with film. Be sure to make several holes (vents) for ventilation. Starting from the end of March to mid-April, the covering material is temporarily removed to ventilate the plant, and with the onset of stable warm weather, the insulation is removed altogether.
Pests and diseases
Many gardeners value the Lavender Ice rose variety precisely because of its high immunity. It is especially resistant to powdery mildew and black spot. But it has average resistance to rust, so it requires preventive measures. And when this disease appears, the affected areas must be removed and treated with fungicides (Topaz, Bordeaux mixture). As a preventive measure, folk remedies are used, for example, a soap solution or tincture of nettle and wormwood.
Also, with excessive watering, you can encounter an ailment such as root rot. In this case, wetting the soil should be stopped immediately. Sometimes a rose transplant is required and the affected areas are removed.
Among pests, the colony of aphids is especially dangerous. Spider mites and roseate sawflies can also attack the bush.Insecticides will help get rid of these harmful insects.
Application in landscape design
The compact rose Lavender Ice is most often used by landscape designers to decorate flower beds in the foreground. It goes well with many garden plants that bloom in delicate and brighter colors.
Due to its miniature size, Lavender Ice is planted along borders, in elevated areas and even in containers.
The prickly pink shrub Lavender Ice feels good when planted among coniferous trees.
Conclusion
Rose Lavender Ice is distinguished by its excellent decorative qualities, unpretentiousness and high resistance to a number of common diseases. It is these qualities that make this small shrub in demand among experienced and even novice rose growers. If you create all the necessary conditions for a garden plant, Lavender Ice will delight you with its beautiful lavender-lilac blooms for many years.
Reviews of rose Lavender Ice
