Do you want to add an exquisite scent to your garden? Then why not plant rose bushes? Rose bushes are known for their beautiful flowers and intoxicating perfume.
They are also treasures to incorporate into your garden as they evoke romantic images of iconic landscapes that come to mind from the spectacular gardens in romance movies.
There are many roses that are easy to grow and require little care to look their best.
In recent decades, more than 100 varieties of roses have become known, although not all of them were good for cultivation. Some died due to attacks by pests and diseases and others did not prosper.
But below, we will explore 3 of the best scented rose bushes and the care guide so you can grow them in your garden and keep them beautiful for many years.
English rose Claire Austin
It is a very elegant rose with a well-defined shape in a medium size, with a unique fragrance and a great exploration until late autumn. They are excellent for cutting.
They are white with some light yellow hues. Roses grow much better when planted in groups of at least three. Their fragrance could be described as "myrrh" which is not exactly known what it smells like, but It can be similar to a classic old rose with a hint of spicy anise or licorice.
The flowers are globular in shape with 35 to 40 petals, bloom throughout the season and can reach up to one metre in height. It is a very strong and healthy plant.
This style of flower is recommended for cutting and placing in a vase or preparing floral arrangements. After being cut it can last approximately 5 days.
To grow in good conditions it needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. You will also need to water it regularly, trying not to overwater it. Finally, Make sure to fertilize them every 20 days or so to keep them healthy and radiant.
Rosa damascena 'Ispahan'
This rose is also known as princess pompom, It is a very old variety that originated in the Middle East.
It has a bright pink color with a delicious perfume with the classic aroma of old rose and apricot.
It is very strong, robust, resistant and free of diseases. Its large branches can bend a little due to the weight of the flowers, it is ideal to plant it under perennial plants such as catnip or the blue violet.
Flowering lasts almost a month and the tree is covered in bright pink flowers. The large flowers can reach a diameter of 9 cm and can appear in groups of up to 15 flowers.
The pink tone is very pretty and in the center it is slightly darker.
The shrub can grow up to 2 m tall. and its leaves are light green with some large thorns. Regarding care, it is important to grow it in the shade in containers, alone or in groups as hedges.
It is resistant to cold, but to grow properly it needs full sun. The soil should be well drained and requires minimal pruning care. It is ideal for cutting and placing in vases and be careful with some thorns.
Pink Mr. Lincoln
This rose first appeared in 1964. It has a spectacular fragrance and begins to bloom in early summer, covering itself with clusters of brightly coloured flowers in various shades of dark purple.
They bloom almost all year round, their petals open in an urn shape with a velvety texture. They can reach 10 to 15 cm in height and are generally composed of between 25 and 40 petals. that vibrate in the sunlight and seem to glow in the twilight in summer.
They are ideal for making floral arrangements because they have long stems. It is recommended to use a strong rose bush for this purpose, but keep in mind that it has thorns. The rose bush grows vertically and can reach a height of almost one meter.
As for care, they prefer places with sun or partial shade, but cannot tolerate places that are too hot. The soil has to be well fertilized with good drainage, that contains humus so that it adapts well and can grow.
It can be planted in the garden or in a pot, it requires moist soil conditions, but be careful not to overwater because it can rot the roots.
If you are going to grow it outdoors you have to water it when the surface is slightly dry and in winter water it in less quantity.
Tips for preparing your garden for roses
The quality you can have when growing roses is related to the quality of the growing conditions, To have better performance you will need to do the following:
- Roses require a few hours of direct sunlight a day. between four and six, depending on the type of rose bush.
- They need good air movement to avoid fungal diseases such as the black spot.
- They require fertile soil to retain nutrients and water and to support deep roots.
- Roses like well-drained soil, Clay soils are the best, if the soil is sandy you should enrich it with organic matter every year.
- It is important to provide fuel such as organic fertilizer, which should generally be applied in early spring and late summer to encourage the main flowering.
- Watering is very important, so a deep soaking every week is ideal.
- The main pruning should be done in mid-winter and a lighter one at the end of January or beginning of February.
- One aspect that often goes unnoticed is leaving distance between one plant and another. Since the rose bush can sometimes have somewhat larger dimensions, leaving enough space is important to allow them to grow as much as necessary.
- To avoid pests and diseases use organic products and check the flowers and roots periodically, where you find any specific symptoms you must act quickly.
Finally, adding scented roses to your garden is a wonderful way to enjoy their elegant beauty and vibrant colors. Make sure to follow the care guide for each of these roses and you'll be enjoying their fragrance in no time.