Scrub roses: best varieties, care, cultivation, pruning, wintering, reviews

Rose - scrub is a beautiful shrub with erect shoots that can spread significantly in width. This is a very broad group, which consists of numerous subgroups. A description of the most common varieties, as well as recommendations for planting and care can be found in this article.

What does rose scrub mean?

First of all, you need to figure out what a rose means - a scrub. This is the name for semi-climbing roses - tall shrubs with straight, powerful shoots. They are designated shrub (English: “shrub”, short S) and are also called modern park roses.

The group of scrub roses includes mainly winter-hardy varieties that can be grown in most regions of Russia. Moreover, initially it included Labmert roses, which were obtained through crossing based on remontant varieties and a representative of Multiflora.

Much later, in the first years of the 21st century, English roses began to be classified as scrubs, in the selection of which the researcher D. Austin took an active part. Also included in this category are some representatives of park roses that are of hybrid origin.

Thus, the group of scrubs is extremely diverse and heterogeneous, so general classification criteria have not yet been developed. The main representatives of this category are the following:

  • English roses;
  • individual representatives bred on the basis of the German company Rosen Tantau;
  • some varieties of the French company Meilland International;
  • flowers bred by breeders of the German company Kordes;
  • frost-resistant Canadian roses;
  • ground cover scrubs (they, in turn, are divided into creeping low and high, as well as drooping small and large).
Advice! When purchasing a new rose variety, it is recommended to study its description to make sure which group it belongs to.

If contradictory data is found, it is advisable to use reliable sources, for example, the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation, as well as the websites of nurseries and online stores.

What scrub roses look like

Since the group of scrubs is very heterogeneous, it is impossible to describe all roses as a whole. We can only say that these are shrubs that reach a height of 2-2.5, sometimes 3 m. They can either spread up to 2 m in width or be quite compact, within 1 m.

The shoots are almost always erect, not drooping, quite powerful, and can withstand gusty winds and other loads well. It must be borne in mind that scrub roses often have lush flowers, but even this does not cause the shoots to sag.

The colors of roses are varied, both monochromatic and two-color, with transitions, mainly in the following shades:

  • pink;
  • red;
  • scarlet;
  • apricot;
  • rich lilac;
  • salmon;
  • yellow;
  • orange;
  • pure white.

Scrub roses produce both large and small flowers of different colors

As a rule, scrubs are re-flowering forms. Although in regions with short summers there is only one wave, after which only small buds may appear. Many representatives of scrub roses produce large inflorescences, reaching 10-12 and even 14 cm in diameter. Fruity and musky shades are noticeable in the aroma, and they are often felt even from a distance.

Rose bushes - scrubs grow quite quickly, and literally in a year of planting they reach 1.5-2 m, i.e. become as tall as a man. Despite the fact that the shoots are strong enough that they do not spread out, gardeners often install supports. As a rule, scrubs produce numerous flowers and leaves of a dark green hue with a shiny surface. They form a beautiful general background against which bright rose inflorescences look attractive.

What is the difference between scrubs and park roses

As already mentioned, scrubs are sometimes called modern park roses. Although confusion may arise here, because park roses include winter-hardy varieties that do not need to be covered in the fall in the middle zone and neighboring regions. Therefore, it is better to call scrub roses semi-climbing or simply shrubs.

Externally, it is quite difficult to distinguish between representatives of the park and scrub groups. Both roses are represented by fairly tall shrubs, which are used for both classical and vertical gardening.But many representatives of the park group of roses are even more winter-hardy and less demanding of care. Such varieties are especially suitable for the Urals and Siberia.

The best varieties of scrub roses with photos

There are about several hundred representatives of this group of scrubs. Moreover, they can differ quite greatly from each other, but one thing remains unchanged - all plants are represented by rather tall and often spreading shrubs. A description of the best varieties of scrub roses for the Moscow region and other regions is presented in the following sections.

Rococo

Rokoko is a variety of German selection, obtained in 1987. It is interesting that this name actually means two different representatives. One scrub produces pink flowers. The other is soft apricot. Moreover, both varieties of roses are scrubs, represented by beautiful shrubs 1.2-1.5 m high. They spread up to 1 m wide.

The shape of rose flowers is unusual; they are quite lush, double-type, with graceful wavy edges, partly corrugated. They look old-fashioned, which is why such rose flowers are conventionally called nostalgic.

The Rococo variety produces soft apricot-colored flowers

Important! Shrubs can withstand frosts down to -28 degrees. Therefore, this scrub rose is optimally suited for Siberia, the Urals and the northern regions. If the temperature usually drops below, it is better not to risk it and make a shelter in the fall.

Magnet Shrub

Rose Magnet Shrub produces very beautiful round-shaped flowers with a soft pink color. In the center the petals are slightly yellowish, the petals are wavy, the total diameter is 9-10 cm. The peduncles of the scrub are tall, about 1 m. The roses have a pleasant fruity aroma. It is noteworthy that the color smoothly transitions from pink to peach and salmon.

Magnet Shrub variety has long flowering

Westerland

Westerland is another rose of German selection. Shrub produces pleasant flowers with delicate, graceful petals of rich orange color. They are very fragrant, the fruity aroma is noticeable even from a distance. 5-10 flowers appear on a scrub shoot, each of them reaches a diameter of 11 cm. The height of the bush is from 1.5 to 2 m, width is up to 1.5 m.

Westerland roses bloom continuously throughout the summer

Abraham Derby

Abraham Darby is one of the unique varieties of English roses, both of whose parents are modern representatives. Despite this, scrub flowers have a classic, somewhat old-fashioned shape that evokes a pleasant nostalgic feeling. The color is soft pink, more saturated in the middle. The shrub bushes are low, up to 1.5 m, but quite wide - spreading up to 1 m.

Abraham Derby scrub rose flowers reach a diameter of 14 cm

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare also produces large flowers up to 12 cm in diameter, and their color is very original - velvet red, with shades of lilac. A few days after blooming, it gradually turns into a rich purple. The aroma of rose scrub is very strong, classic, and evokes a pleasant sensation. The bush is low and spreading - approximately 100 cm in height and width.

The William Shakespeare variety is not very winter hardy and requires good shelter

Ballerina

Ballerina - another beautiful representative of the scrub group, produces flowers of an original shape, not similar to classic roses. The color is soft pink, with smooth transitions to white and rich yellow at the very core.5-10 flowers are formed on each peduncle, although their diameter is only 2-3 cm. The shrub is low, up to 1.5 m, but at the same time it spreads up to 1.7-1.8 m in width.

The flowers are very small but numerous

Lilac rain

The name of this scrub rose, Lilac Rain (Hedetraum), is associated with the characteristic color of the flowers - red, turning into purple and lilac. The inflorescences are small, up to 5 cm in diameter. Moreover, they are combined into clusters of 12-15 buds, so in general the shrub looks very impressive. The shape of the flowers is cupped, the petals are double. The aroma is not pronounced, but if you get closer, you can feel floral and herbaceous shades.

This scrub rose is best grown in open, sunny areas.

Planting scrub roses

Planting can be planned for both spring and autumn. But the first option is more preferable, because in most regions frosts may unexpectedly occur, which will damage the root system of the scrub rose. For planting, choose an open, well-lit place, preferably on a hill. First, the soil is dug up and fertilized with organic matter (for example, compost) or complex mineral fertilizer.

When planting a scrub rose, proceed as follows:

  1. Mark fairly deep holes (60*60 cm) at a distance of at least 1.5 m from each other. In some cases, it is necessary to retreat 2-3 m - it all depends on how widely the scrub rose bush spreads.
  2. A layer of small stones - pebbles, bricks, broken expanded clay - is poured onto the bottom.
  3. Next, place the seedling in the center, compact the soil so that the root collar goes 3-5 cm deep.
  4. Water with pre-settled water and mulch after a few days.

Rose scrub care

When growing scrub roses, it is important to organize proper care so that flowering is abundant and long, regardless of weather conditions. The basic rules are:

  1. Watering is planned every week, and in drought - twice. Each bush requires spending at least 1 bucket (10 liters) of water.
  2. Feeding for scrub roses is applied several times a season. After the snow melts, give urea 20 g per 10 liters, the same composition is given two weeks later. Then complex fertilizer is applied when the buds begin to form, and then every 2-3 weeks until mid-August. It is advisable to alternate organic matter with mineral compounds.
  3. It is very important to do periodic weeding and loosen the soil. To keep it moist enough and not have too many weeds, it is advisable to lay down grass clippings, sawdust or other mulch.
  4. It is recommended to prune scrub roses in early spring, before the buds begin to swell. At this moment, old, diseased, frostbitten branches are removed. It is advisable to shorten all healthy shoots by a third of their length to stimulate the growth of new branches.

How to prune rose scrubs for the winter

For the winter, scrub roses are also pruned, but only after stable frosty weather has established outside, i.e. just below zero. It is recommended to remove branches that have not had time to grow, otherwise they will freeze completely. Weak, diseased shoots, dried flowers and unopened buds are also removed.

Autumn pruning of scrub roses begins in late autumn

How to cover roses with scrubs for the winter

After the autumn pruning of the scrub rose, you can begin to form a shelter. It is better to plan the work for the end of October or the first half of November, when even during the day the temperature will be consistently below zero.You should not start earlier, because due to the thaw the roses may suffer from excess humidity.

You can cover scrubs with different materials:

  • lutrasil;
  • agrofibre;
  • spruce branches

The root zone of the scrub rose must be mulched with sawdust, hay or straw. If the bush is quite tall, it is better to create a frame and cover it with spunbond. The top is sprinkled with soil and, in winter, with snow.

Reproduction

Scrub roses can be propagated by grafting, layering, and even grown from seeds. But the easiest way is to take cuttings from the bush or get layering. The first method is universal, suitable for all representatives. The sequence of actions is as follows:

  1. In mid-June, green or semi-lignified cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut.
  2. An oblique cut is made from below, a straight cut from above, and the leaves are removed in half.
  3. Place overnight in a solution with Epin or another growth stimulant.
  4. Next, a fertile mixture of peat and sand 1:1 is planted, watered well and covered with film or a bottle.
  5. Periodically water and ventilate the scrub rose seedling.
  6. For the winter, carefully mulch, cover with agrofibre and spruce branches.
  7. Next spring (late April) they are transplanted to a permanent location.

Some representatives of scrubs can be diluted by layering according to the following instructions:

  1. In June, pin a mature, healthy shoot to the soil.
  2. Dig in, leaving the top on the surface.
  3. Water and feed for two seasons, and cover thoroughly for the winter.
  4. After two years, in the spring, separate from the bush and transplant to a separate place.

Diseases and pests

When growing scrub roses, it is important to take care of disease prevention. The best way is to follow the watering norm and timely fertilizing. Also, in early spring after pruning, it would not be superfluous to treat with any effective fungicide:

  • "Ordan";
  • "Abiga Peak";
  • "Ridomil Gold";
  • "Profit".

Scrub roses can also suffer from pests, for example, green aphids, spider mites, leaf cutter bees, leaf rollers, and white leafhoppers. To protect shrubs, spraying with chemicals is necessary.

Rose scrub in landscape design

Scrubs are usually used in single plantings because they are quite large and spreading. But often low-growing bushes are used in combination with other plants. The main options for using scrub roses in the garden with photos and descriptions are presented below:

  1. Planting next to the fence.
  2. Curly scrubs on the fence.
  3. Combination with hedges.
  4. Landing next to the road.
  5. Single placement of scrub roses near the house.

Conclusion

The scrub rose is one of the best representatives of these famous flowers. They are represented by bushes of different heights, which are quite easy to care for. It is worth keeping in mind that not all varieties have good winter hardiness. Therefore, in most regions in the fall you need to create a reliable shelter.

Reviews of scrub roses

Sinitsyna Galina, Khabarovsk
Scrubs are, essentially, the same bushes. Usually tall, although there are also short ones, for example, the Ballerina generally grows shorter than human height, but spreads out about 1.7 m wide. Usually both scrub and park roses are the most winter-hardy, but with the onset of frost they still need to be covered. It is optimal to use spruce branches and dense agrofibre or burlap so that the material “breathes” well.
Petrenko Anna, Smolensk
Scrubs are a group that unites a wide variety of shrub roses. They are mainly grown to decorate the garden, although some large-flowered varieties, such as Abraham Derby, can be cut to make an excellent bouquet.The most important thing is that scrubs are easy to care for and can grow in partial shade. In our latitudes, I only mulch roses for the winter, and that’s enough. But in frosty regions it is necessary to wrap up in October-November.

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