It is heartbreaking to look at your roses bushes after a hurricane’s wrath, especially if you have spent the last year tenderly caring for them, feeding, fertilizing, pruning, and dead-heading diligently. Fear not, with a little post storm care they should survive. Here are some hints and tips courtesy of The Bermuda Rose Society.
Before the Storm:
Prune any heavy canes that may break in strong wind
Stake and tie up very young or unstable roses
After the Storm:
Rinse the salt off your roses as soon as you can
Prune only the broken canes
Dig exposed roots back into the ground, stake the rose to hold it in place
Wait for at least 3 weeks before you prune to allow your roses to recover. If roses are pruned while they are still stressed from the storm, the cut canes will suffer, die back and you will need to prune again.
Consider a light addition of rose food, such as Espoma ROSETONE
Keep a watchful eye for black-spot in which case spray with diluted NEEM oil
Don’t worry if all the leaves go brown and drop off. You’ll be surprised how soon new shoots appear
If you have lost your favourite roses, do not despair. Instead, go to The Garden Club of Bermuda’s Gibbons Family Open House and Garden event at Palm Grove, Devonshire on Saturday, November 23 and visit The Bermuda Rose Society Old Garden and Bermuda Mystery Rose sale!
Further tips on pruning and care for roses can be found in “Roses in Bermuda, Revisited’ published by The Bermuda Rose Society, available for purchase at bookstores in Hamilton and at the Palm Grove Open House and Gardens.
For more information on The Rose Society of Bermuda and how to grow and care for Old Garden Roses please visit https://rosesinbermuda.com/
