11
Miniatures for Hedges Borders and Beds
I walked at eventide, and, lo! Over a hedge a fairy smiled at me, Over a hedge of roses.
unknownRoses have been used at various times and places for hedging and screens. Many of the forms used have been wild species or near wild varieties. In Southern California around the end of the past century and the early years of the present one, the old 'Ragged Robin' (Gloire des Rosomanes') was often used as an understock for budding to choice garden varieties. This one was also used extensively as hedging material and at one time there were miles of 'Ragged Robin' rose hedges in the area.
In more recent years there was an interest in using wild multiflora rose as a hedging material. Both desirable and undesirable features of multiflora were apparent almost from the beginning. Unfortunately, unscrupulous nurserymen and mail order houses often failed to point out the undesirable characteristics. Among these: too large a plant for small city lots; short one-season blooming period; tendency to spread rapidly by rooting of branches and by seeds; and expense in controlling or eradicating such large fast growing plants. Multiflora rose is a valuable hedge plant, but not on a city lot.
About the time multiflora. rose reached its peak as a hedge plant the old 'Ragged Robin' was rediscovered. Hundreds of thousands of these were advertised and sold by mail. But this was not the answer. However, it did show that gardeners were interested in and needed roses of hedging material. Now a number of improved rose varieties specially selected for the purpose have been introduced.
Again, this is not the complete answer for these roses are too large for use in small gardens. This is where the miniature roses come into the picture, for what could be more satisfying or appropriate for bordering pathways or beds of larger roses than miniature roses?
The miniature rose not only expands the opportunities to use roses, but miniatures can be used effectively in place of or to supplement perennials and bedding plants. While the initial cost of planting a border or bed of miniature roses is higher than the cost of bedding plants, the total over-all picture can be better. I have had the enjoyment of replacing numerous plantings of temporary bedding plants with longer lasting miniature roses.
Looking at the problem from a budget viewpoint, the cost of soil preparation, purchasing and planting new bedding plants again and again soon proves more costly than roses. A border of miniature roses should last a minimum of ten years, barring, of course, accidents to the plants or the desire to replace them with newer varieties.
Figure 15. Some ways to use miniature roses at an entranceway
Miniature roses used for hedge or edging may be sheared or clipped the same as you would a hedge of boxwood. This may be done at almost any time, depending to some degree upon where you live and the effect you desire.
The height you trim the hedge will depend somewhat on the effect you want to achieve. I have seen hedges of miniatures grown with very little trimming. On the other hand I know of a border of 'Little Buckaroo,' one of the larger growing varieties, which is cut each spring to about 6 inches in height. Very little additional trimming is done during the remainder of the season. Borders of miniatures at Rose Hills Memorial Park "Pageant of Roses Garden," Whittier, California, are trimmed several times each season. This is done for two reasons: (1) to maintain plants at desired height; (2) to induce new growth and thus more mass bloom for special times of the year.
And now we come to one of the most important steps of all in the use of miniatures for borders and hedges: selection of the varieties which are most suited for the purpose. Limit the border to one variety for an eye-pleasing effect. No hodgepodge of growth habits, odd colors or unusual flowers should even be considered.
just as hybrid tea and floribunda roses vary from one variety to another so do miniatures. Your border of miniatures should be as pretty and shapely as dancing girls in a Follies review. A border of mismatched sorts could end up looking like the police line-up on Monday morning!
By narrowing your selection to a single variety for each border or section of border your problems are minimized and your enjoyment will be increased. Varieties listed below have given pleasing results.
'Little Buckaroo'-red, 1 and 1/4 inch flowers in abundance. Clean, glossy green foliage. Strong, abundant growth. May be allowed to grow naturally into a 2 and 1/2 to 3 foot shrub or hedge or trimmed to a neat 12 to 18 inch hedge. Certificate from International Trials, The Hague (Holland) 1965.
'Dian' Very double light red or deep pink flowers. Neat, rounded plants 12 to 18 inches high may be kept shorter by occasional trimming.
13. A border of miniature rose 'Oakington Ruby' with taller roses in the right background.
'Eleanor'-similar in growth to 'Dian' but has very nice coral pink buds which open into attractive flowers of the same color; flower color often deepens with age.
'Yellow Doll' Beautiful yellow buds and full double 1 and 1/2 flowers. Attractive bushy plants 12 to 16-inches high. One of the finest.
'Beauty Secret' new-bushy, compact 12 inches. Clean, almost mildew-proof foliage. Seems to do well even in part shade. H.T.-form buds pen to clear, bright red flowers; fragrant; excellent color stability.
'Red Imp'-Tiny very double 1/2 inch red flowers. Low grower, 6 to 10 inches high.
'Cinderella' White flowers similar in form to 'Red Imp,' but slightly larger (I inch) , often tinted pink in cool weather. Excellent for edging.
'Nova Red' Bright red 1 inch flowers with about 10 petals. Excellent clean foliage and the color lasts without fading. Grows about 12 inches high.
'Pink Heather' For those who like a very small flower (less than I inch) on a neat compact plant not over 10 to 12 inches high. Very profuse bloom-over 100 flowers having been counted on a single plant in a single month.
'Jet Trail' New white which stays white. Long lasting white buds open to double I and 1/2 inch flowers. Foliage abundant and clean.
'Jeanie Williams' Very new but trials indicate this to be possibly the best red-yellow-pink blend (a miniature Talisman) . Foliage turns to red colors in fall similar to red barberry.
'Baby Ophelia' Those who remember the old hybrid tea variety will see the similarity in form and color. Soft pink buds and flowers on a neat 12 inch plant.
Any of the twelve varieties listed above will serve beautifully for borders or low hedges. But there are many others which could also be used. Try planting a border and see for yourself.
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