Rose Spotlight - South Africa Grandiflora Rose - Kordes

South Africa - Grandiflora Rose

(Kordes - 2001)

This deep yellow grandiflora rose has 4" blooms, is supposed to grow to 5', and is a vigorous grower. It is very healthy until the thrips attack; they seem to love it. My plant is own root, received from Roses Unlimited in 2014. The natural shape of this plant is nice, veering toward bushy, with a nice proportion of mid-green glossy leaves to blooms. South Africa is very heat tolerant. If you like golden yellow roses, South Africa is a must have for desert gardens!

Growing Lavender in a Hot Summer, Dry Climate

Learning to grow lavender in the desert has come as a result of trial, error, and research. After throwing away many dead plants, I have finally discovered how to successfully grow these plants in this  dry, hot, environment.

1st : Not all lavender are created equal. There are some varieties that are more suitable to hot and humid climates versus the hot and dry that is common in the Desert Southwest. I have had the best luck with Goodwin Creek Lavender, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, Fern Leaf Lavender and new this year is Sweet Lavender

2nd: The best time to plant Lavender is March, unless Winter temperatures and freezes typically extend beyond that date.

3rd: Do not overhead water or over water lavender plants. I find Spanish Lavender to be most temperamental in terms of watering and Goodwin Creek Lavender by far the most drought tolerant.

4th: Watch new plants very carefully. They will require a little more water while establishing, but once established are very drought tolerant.

5th: Make sure the planting hole drains well. Lavender do not like wet roots...Because my soil is sandy, once all of the rocks and boulders were removed, drainage was less of an issue.

6th: Lavender requires 6 or more hours of sun daily.

Sources and and information regarding lavender.

- All About Lavender

 - Goodwin Creek Lavender

 - Joy Creek Nursery

-  Growing Lavender in the Nevada Desert

First Rose Blooms of the Season

These roses are the first blooms of the season! Most of the roses are full of buds and if they are not decimated by the winds scheduled for next week, I will have many blooms from roses old and new to share!

Nigrette

The dark red  bloom color of this rose reminds me of Oklahoma, but with a little less purple.  I have owned this little rose bush for less than a year, and am impressed with its health and vigor.

Blue Girl
Blue Girl Rose has beautiful bluish lavender blooms and healthy dark green leaves. If it makes it through my summer this rose will definitely be a keeper! I contemplated purchasing Stainless Steel, but selected Blue Girl because it is a soft lavender versus a grayish lavender.

South Africa
This rose has been on the to shovel prune for two years now. I am just not that fond of yellow. It is planted in my "box of crayola" colored roses, because I am finding I still gravitate toward cooler soothing colors. South Africa, is cheery and definitely not a soothing yellow coloring.  It is also a thrip magnet!!!