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Grandiflora Wild Blue Yonder by Patti Jacko

Western Reserve Rose Society

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Contact Information : : President of WRRS

If you have any questions about this website contact The Webmaster

What it's like to Grow Roses in Northeastern Ohio (and some informational articles)

We draw members from the entire Cleveland Area. You will often hear people say that in Cleveland, wait two minutes and the weather will change.

Cleveland has a feature that is unique to any area that borders the Great Lakes. Lake Erie, which is the northern border of Cleveland. Lake Erie produces what is called "lake effect". This can change temperatures, snow conditions, wind and any other weather condition. It is noted that you can find cold temperatures in the southern regions of the area but as you get closer to Lake Erie it will warm up, as much as 10-15 degrees (F) difference.

We do try to keep articles available to the rose growing public concerning rose growing in the Greater Cleveland Area. We add to this list periodically.

What we are trying to do is provide some of our experience with individual roses of all varieties that our members are growing or have grown.   It is our goal to have this page available as reference material for our members and our friends.  This is a work in progress as we add roses to our list along with our experiences with them.  Because of space we may "link" to another web site that has more information.

If you have any questions about Western Reserve Rose Society, rose information presented or the website itself contact the Webmaster.

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For All of You Exhibitionists....

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Weather Conditions in Northeastern Ohio

We are located in the USDA Hardiness Zone 5a and Zone 5b of the USDA zoning map. . This means that we usually have a minimum temperature of 15 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit. When selecting roses for your garden it is very important to take this into consideration. Although a hard freeze is rare, it can happen. Roses that are considered "winter tender" may or may not be a good choice. In our area, it can depend on where the rose is planted and what protection is used. 

We have experienced some very hot temperatures in the past. We had many 90 degree F days. Some rose plants will thrive in this. Others will not. Whatever rose plants are in your garden, make sure that you are prepared to have a steady watering program in the warmer months of July, August and September. Many of us find ourselves watering in October if there is no rain. 

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Winter Protection in our Area

It is recommended to use some kind of winter protection in this area. This varies from using burlap to completely wrapping the entire plant to mounded up soil around the base of the plant to cover it. Most of our rosarians plant the bush deep enough to cover the graft point on grafted roses. Roses growing on their own roots do not need this as much. It is highly recommended that rose canes be protected in the winter because of wind damage, especially climbing varieties.  Please refer to our reference sections for any specifics.  If you don't find your answer,  email the Webmaster. We'll get an answer for you.

DO NOT USE PLASTIC AS A COVERING.

Hybrid teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas vary in protection requirements.   Grandifloras should be wrapped because of wind protection but often can do well without it.  Watch the temperatures and wind conditions to make a determination!!  Hybrid teas and Floribundas vary from full coverage to soil/mulch/peat mounding.  DO NOT PRUNE if they are tall. 

Climbing Roses should be wrapped because of wind.  DO NOT PRUNE.  New growth often develops on existing canes. 

Shrub Roses include all David Austin varieties are very hardy in this environment.  Some of us don't even protect them and they do fine. Note that this group includes hybrid musks (moderate-to-tall shrubs), hybrid moyesii (tall shrubs), hybrid rugosas (mostly hardy and bushy shrubs), hybrid gallicas and hybrid kordesii (mostly hardy climbers). We would like to note that Hybrid Chinas DO NOT do well in our climate.  

Tree Roses (roses grafted onto tree stock) must be protected.  This is usually done by digging up the root ball of the plant (if it is in the ground),  laying it on its side and burying it in soil, straw, peat moss or other covering.  Burlap wrapped around the plant before burying it is an excellent idea. 

Potted roses must be brought inside in the winter months.  Many in the area bring their plants into the unheated attached garage and place them on skids (never directly on the ground or concrete floor!!!) and providing some kind of tarp or other heavy covering to protect from the cold.  Some also bury their pots in the ground up to the rim for protection.  The roots have to be protected from freezing whatever method is employed.   Potted roses will NOT survive if left outside in the winter unprotected.

Miniature/Mini-Flora Roses will act much the same as their larger cousins.  If planted in the ground, a simple covering of burlap, bed sheet or other breathable material is sufficient. Soil/mulch/peat will also work.  If potted,  read "Potted roses".  Again,  there are winter tender varieties so don't be surprised if there are casualties in this group. 

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Rose Disease and Animal and Bug Infestations

We thought this was a very helpful site for rose growers .Check out the 'What could be wrong with my roses" page.  Use this link to go to Ludwig's Roses. It certainly says more than we ever could about the subject.

Some websites advocate getting cats to live outdoors to take care of varmint problems. We do not under any circumstances advocate outdoor cats!!!!!!! Liquid Fence would be our weapon of choice.

We are currently putting together a table of problems and solutions.  We would like to note that if you find any article referencing Diazinon, this is no longer available.  The following article suggests using Bayer Advanced Rose and Flower Insect Spray and so do we. 

One of our favorite speakers, Drs. Gary Rankin and Monica Valentovic, gave us a summary listing of Pesticides by Mode of Action. We must recommend that you wear googles, and other protective clothing when using these chemicals.
Summary of Pesticides and their uses

Top of Page

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Soil Testing

Paul used the Agricultural Analytical Service Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University. The cost is $9.00 a sample.

Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
http://www.aasl.psu.edu

We as a club are just learning about this task. It is a very important one, especially if things aren't going well in your garden. If you have any questions, Please contact the Webmaster. and we'll get an answer for you.

Paul also suggests some online reading at http://www.soliminerals.com/Cation_Exchange_Simplified.htm. We are learning this together but Paul has received some interesting findings about his garden. It might behoove all of us to consider doing this, even sporadically.

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Roses We Grow in Northeast Ohio

This section is meant to be a guide to what roses grow well in our area and what roses do not.  These are opinions of our members and do not necessarily represent an overall view of the rose. If you wish to contact any of the members for questions,  please email the webmaster below and a message will be delivered.  Please include your name and the best way to contact you (email, phone (include number please), post) and the webmaster will get the message to the person you have requested.

Remember that we are only commenting about how the rose performs in our area. These opinions are also based on our experience with the rose.  Your experience could be totally different.

Click Here to go to Rose Growing in Northeast Ohio

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Organic Gardening

Many of our members are starting to look at GREEN Choices for their rose gardening. So many of us want to do more for the environment and also to get away from chemicals.

We are starting a small online library of articles and topics on this subject. Also check our links page for some other websites dedicated to this very subject.

Our Home Page

Our Calendar

Links to Rose and other Garden Suppliers

Online Membership Form  

Where are WRRS Meetings Held?

Contact Information : : President of WRRS

If you have any questions about this website contact The Webmaster