Growing Roses in the Desert

Twilight Zone Grandiflora Rose

My yard is filled with annuals, perennials, herbs, cacti, succulent, and various shrubs, but it is definitely skewed toward roses.  I grow 75+ roses, and they are the true workhorses of my garden. These beauties bloom in my warm climate approximately ten months+ out of the year, providing color, gorgeous blooms and varying foliage. Roses have a reputation for being fussy or "high maintenance", but I believe that reputation is not warranted. If gardeners, in preparation of rose beds, rose selection and growing practices consider the following, roses can become a welcome addition to most gardens.


1st:The soil environment for the rose should be as close to ideal as you can manage. I begin by sending my dirt for a professional soil(s) test. My last test was sent to Dr. Good Earth. When I submitted my soil, I was able to specify what I hoped to grow. The professional soil testing results included information regarding the soil composition found in various areas of my yard, and what would be required to amend the soil to create the most ideal situation for what I wished to grow. Most roses prefer a pH in the range of 6.5 - 7. Our desert soils and the water many desert gardeners use for irrigation tends to be alkaline . The professional soil test results also includes recommendations relative to adjusting the pH.  Amending your soil to create the best environment for roses to grow is essential. 

Tip: A great time to send soil out for professional testing is late Fall.

2nd: The heat and sun conditions must be taken into consideration when making rose selections and placement. MOST roses in the hot desert perform better with morning sun and shade during the hottest part of the day. Many rose suppliers have lists of the roses they stock that tend to be more "heat tolerant", and there are websites that supply information regarding thousands of roses categorized according to many characteristics; including heat tolerance. It is advisable to steer clear of roses that are inherently NOT suitable for desert climates or soil if you want a higher probability of success growing roses.


3rd: If it is possible, amend the entire area or planting bed. If this is not possible, dig a hole for the rose that is at least 18 x18 x18, removing the soil found at the bottom of the hole, and adding organics per your professional soil test results. At the very least, the soil returned to the planting hole should have 1/4 composted mixed in.


4th:  Plant roses at the right time to give them the best start possible. Bare root roses should be planted beginning approximately six weeks after the first frost, until about President's Day for zone 9a.  For zones 8 gardeners, you should be able to plant your bare-root roses until March 15th or a little later. It is most ideal to plant own-root and potted roses in early Fall. 

5th: Water, water, water.... efficiently. Drip lines with emitters is a very efficient way to deliver water deeply around the root zone. Moisture meters can also help to check for deep watering. Check your soil regularly to ensure that you do not over or under-water.

6th: Mulch around your roses. Be sure to avoid placing mulch on rose stems.  The mulch helps to condition your soil as it de-composes, it lowers the soil temperature and can help to reduce water requirements.


Roses that are provided with the best start and care will be in a better position to handle the environmental stress, insect and disease pressures. Roses are a lot tougher and more resilient than what they have a reputation for being.

Bolero 

Bolero - 2004

What's Blooming in the Summer Heat?

July and August can be the most dreadful months for plants; especially those that bloom. Plant leaves, canes, or petals can be scorched by the sun, and watering can wash away the nutrients causing a different level of unattractiveness. I walked my yard this morning to take a survey of what is blooming in the heat. Here's what I found:


The Sweet Alyssum in partial shade have very healthy leaves and are blooming!

White Sweet Alyssum

Purple Sweet Alyssum

Noisette Rose Caroline Marinesse has healthy blooms and is about to grace the yard with another beautiful spray of roses! It is planted in partial shade too.

Noisette Rose Caroline Marniesse

This bud of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is ready to explode. Again, it is planted in partial shade.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

So what is blooming in full sun???

White Pet Rose has continued its continuous blooming; despite the heat.

White Pet

Belinda's Dream is growing in full sun. 

It is definitely sun worn.

Belinda's Dream

Belinda's Dream

Lavender/Purple lantana thrives in full sun 

and is drought tolerant.

Lavender/purple Lantana

While some roses have continued to bloom, their roses are smaller and most of the foliage is very unattractive. Fortunately, annuals and perennials have become the workhorse for the full sun portion of the garden.

Zinnia Planted From Seed ( it needs to be deadheaded etc)

Society Garlic - a Good Rose Companion

Society Garlic Flower

Salvia Mystic Spires Blue is very heat tolerant 

if the plant is established.

Salvia Mystic Spires

It is almost Mid- August, and in a few days, organics will be added to the soil, replenishing nutrients. I am sooooo looking forward to late September and Fall blooms!!!! Aren't you???

Getting Started - Becoming a Desert Gardener

       "Becoming a Desert Gardener"

Gardening in Las Vegas or anywhere in the arid Southwest can be challenging, but keeping the following  basics in mind can lead to successful gardening in this region:

• Water, it is the most important nutrient that plants, animals and humans need. If you have been living in the arid desert southwest, you know water is the one thing that is lacking. When creating a garden in the desert, it is extremely important to water.

• The temperatures will vary from highs in the 110+ range to lows just above or below 30 degrees.  Plants need water, but at differing rates depending upon the time of year.                                   

• Wind gusts can exceed 60+ mph. Young plants that are not well rooted can be up-rooted and blown away.

• The soil often retains excess salts, can have caliche, and a high pH is common. A lot of the soil in the region is low in the  organic matter necessary to create the best environment necessary for many plants to thrive.

What is a gardener in this region to do? Water your plants, protect heat intolerant plants from the blistering sun, protect young plants from the wind and improve your soil. Of the four, many gardeners find contending with desert soil the most challenging but, it can improve over time.

Watering:  Timed, drip irrigation watering with emitters that match the water requirements of the plant is the most efficient and water-wise method of watering. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch with organic matter!! It improves the soil as it decomposes, can  decrease soil temperature, and reduce plant water needs.

Tip - Create different watering zones that correspond to plant/tree watering requirements.

                                                                             

The Heat: Fortunately the heat doesn't prevail year round. Create micro-climates for plants that are less sun/heat tolerant. One way to do this is by planting them near Palm and other trees that do not have invasive spreading roots. Use the tree's large fronds or branches for plant shading during the hottest part of the day. 

Tip - If the plant is not designated "full sun", it is unlikely to thrive in a full sun location. Often it is best to plant it elsewhere.

The Wind: If possible, plant shrubs and young plants during early Fall. It will allow time to establish deeper roots prior to winter and the Spring winds.

Tip - If planting must occur prior to the establishment of a strong root system, protect the plant from the wind.

The Soil: Prior to planting anything, it is advisable to get a "professional" soil test, and then amend, amend, amend per your results to create the best environment possible for plants to grow.

Tip - Contact your local Cooperative Extension for labs that will test residential soil. 

The Beginnings

Fourteen years ago, I relocated from Southern California to Southern Nevada; Las Vegas to be exact. In my years of gardening, I had not encountered the challenges that confronted me here (negligible rainfall, intense summer heat, and poor soil). Fortunately, my last two homes were within new developments, which allowed me the ability to create a garden space and landscape on relatively virgin soil that was amended immediately. This is what I began with at my new home.(See below)

The image was taken during 2011. Yes, that is invasive bamboo swallowing everything in the left portion of the raised planter and just to the left of it.  The irrigation system was in disrepair and many of the emitters for plants were not operational. The raised planter bed had been filled primarily with sand; it is a wonder that anything at any point was able to grow there.

Tip - Right plant for the right place. Agapanthus prefer morning sun in hot climates. They are not designated as drought tolerant either.

Make-over Phase "1"  Don Juan Climber, Joseph's Coat Climber ( under the birdhouse) and Agapanthus are planted

Another view of the raised planter make-over. Iceberg Floribunda Rose, Don Juan Climber, Joseph's Coat Climber and America Climber. ( from right to left) The first thin layer of mulch has been laid.

My Quest to Perfume the Air

Our home was built during 2004, and like many newer developments within master planned communities, the neighborhood is not filled with large mature trees that cleanse and perfume the air. My assessment is that the air here is malodorous. I began my quest to perfume the air in my little piece of the world. By 2011, and the introduction of well, "me",  all of the trees are established, so plants and flowers would have the task of perfuming the yard. My "go to" plant for remarkable perfume and beauty was the rose.

Don Juan Climbing Rose

Don Juan Climbing Rose is fragrant and heat tolerant.

America Climbing Rose

America Climbing Rose is  Mildly Fragrant.

Joseph's Coat Climber - 

My nose does NOT detect fragrance, but Joseph's Coat Climbing Rose has very pretty, varying blooms!! Be careful, it has vicious thorns!!

Gemini Hybrid Tea- 

Gemini Hybrid Tea Rose

Fast forward two years:

Unfortunately, most of the Modern Roses I had planted were not very fragrant. Arid climates are problematic, as the lack of moisture inhibits "wafting" of fragrance. The best solution, I determined, was to search for the most fragrant roses, then plant them in my yard. My search revealed a completely new class of roses for me to research in earnest; Old Garden Roses.  My love of roses ( actually addiction) was revitalized because I discovered that while the perfectly formed, stiff, upright nature of many modern roses is beautiful, I could not resist the equally matched beauty and charm of Old Garden Roses. 

An Escape from the Increasing Heat - Half Moon Bay, CA

 Half Moon Bay, CA - 3rd week in June - 

If you are like me, living in climate that has hot summers, it is nice to escape and "beat the heat". One of my favorite destinations during the summer is the sleepy little coastal community of Half Moon Bay, CA. Why Half Moon Bay? While it is far from being a ghost town, it is not a major tourist trap, so getting there and being able to relax and enjoy a more serene, less crowded place that actually has things to do can be perfect. Half Moon Bay is only slightly larger than six square miles, so getting from point A to B can be easy too. 

The  temperature highs in Half Moon Bay, CA during June are in the 60+ degree range, with the lows in in the mid to high 50 degree range. The coastline has nice walking/bike trails, little places to rent kayaks or canoes and bikes. 

In the civic center, you will not find a Starbucks, but you will find quaint restaurants and many little unique stores for foodies and shoppers. My favorite place for breakfast in Half Moon Bay is the Main Street Grill. The pancakes  are definitely in the running for "best ever". Other entrees are equally tasty. If you must have your Starbucks, there is one centrally located on the main highway.

If the laid back environment becomes too much, a day trip to Napa/Sonoma, which is only about an hour and a half northeast of this little town, is a worthy excursion. San Francisco is an approximate 45 minute drive north, and Filoli Gardens is about a 25 minute drive southeast of Half Moon Bay.