The grafting of trees and roses on other root stock has long been frustrating to me. I know people think they have their reasons, but I tend to think God knew what he was doing with the original plants. In support of my position are the troubles with rootstock suckers, as well as winter die-back that doesn’t leave enough of the grafted plant. What is often left is undesirable growth from the hardy roots.
I did accidentally get a nice mimosa tree that way once. Of course, what I didn’t get was the particular variety of chocolate mimosa that I had purchased. Still, I was happy when the rootstock at least grew into a tree.
Roses, on the other hand, have never ended up better off because of being grafted. The suckers are valiant and determined. Pruning the top is much more touchy. That’s why I am so happy to have found a company that sells heirloom roses on their own rootstock. And what a difference.
Below ⇩My horse Galadriel, an Appaloosa in spite of her coloring, showed up for the photo, probably hoping I was going to be weeding or pruning and throwing yummy things into the pen.
I planted five bare root rose plants – I hesitate to say bushes, as they were still so small in the beginning – along our front road. I built up a narrow raised bed by putting about four inches of top soil over the hard packed clay. I think I did this the first spring we moved into our new house. So April of 2021. Another three floribunda roses, also on their own rootstock were planted along the back pasture fence the same spring.
Over the next couple of years I have layered the area with some fresh horse manure, some leftover dry hay, and some more top soil. (Sidenote: Since I spent years successfully mulching with fresh-cut lawn at our previous home, I figured horse manure is more composted than that! I have used this layering approach with fresh manure in all my new beds here and it composts very reasonably this way. I do “compost” a large percentage of the manure with the help of the chickens, too.)
I alternated the roadside rose bushes with other edible shrubs, as well as planted some bachelor buttons and snapdragons among it all. I pruned all of those rose bushes the first two springs, but didn’t get to it this spring. They are all looking very healthy. There is not even close to the die back that I am used to seeing on grafted hybrid roses.
The photo below shows the rose bush that has grown the least so far. My newest goat, Sprinkles, is in the background. She is a Nigerian dwarf goat about a year old.
The roses that are planted along the front road are there to cheer up the otherwise barren dry-lot for the horse and goats. So those roses have a somewhat harsh environment, though regular drip irrigation. They are for snacking. That is, the herdsters nibble on them regularly (when it’s not pasture time). Thus, they have a somewhat odd shape along the fence, but the roses don’t seem to mind at all.
Below, you see Dahlia, my approximately 5 year old Nigerian dwarf goat. She’s looking to see if any of the rose plants have grown into the fence again.
Regardless of how the so-called experts are re-zoning the southwest Idaho climate, I have found it to be only reliable for plants that survive in zone 5. While winters may vary, it is very common to get winter lows that kill plants designated as suitable for zone 6 (or above). The heirloom rose website has thorough descriptions, including zones, for all roses. All of the roses that I purchased were listed as suitable for zone 5.
This spring I ordered three own-root climbing roses from the same company. These roses are already growing well. One is going to provide some shade for the water trough, so there will be snacking allowed on any parts that grow through the fence. There is a trellis there, too.
These heirloom roses still have a wonderful scent that floats to my nostrils when I’m up by the road getting the mail. The colors are also vibrant, with a huge variety to choose from. They have bloomed to some degree all summer long. I will be shocked if anyone can ever talk me into planted a grafted rose again.
Here is a video put out by the company that I purchase from. In it he explains how the grafted root stock results in a larger plant sooner for nursery sales. In other words, it looks like you are getting a larger, healthier plant, but looks can be deceptive. (note: he only compares potted roses in this video, but they are shipped bare root.)
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