Wasn't April glorious? My roses have just been beautiful this year and I am so thankful! I found that they were slow to open this spring, but I moved several of them, so that could be one of the reasons why. Plus, the weather has been up and down, hot and then cold, sunny and then rain and hail. A mixed bag this spring.
For me, the dreaded Hoplia beetle population has been lighter this year than in the past. I found that the Hoplia beetles in my yard prefer my pink California native poppies over my roses. Yes, native California poppies come in colors other than orange. Who knew? Since my poppies were very prolific this year, I didn't mind them being on the poppies as opposed to my roses. I also have very few light-colored roses in my yard, and they prefer light-colored ones over dark-colored roses. Those dreaded beetles had been around a couple of weeks before the roses opened, giving them less opportunity to destroy the flowers. They should be gone by the beginning of June for another year. Thank goodness!
Since we are having warmer days and cool nights, it is perfect weather for spider mites. They can quickly destroy a plant in a couple of days, so check the undersides of leaves for them and give them a good hard spray of water to get rid of them. Invite lady beetles into your garden by planting native California plants. Spider mites and aphids are some of lady beetles' favorite foods!
If you can, try to fertilize your roses before the end of the month. Use organic fertilizers if possible. They will feed your soil as well as your plants. Roses like a constant supply of nutrients including micro-nutrients such as copper, manganese and magnesium in addition to nitrogen (the N on the fertilizer label), phosphate (the P on the fertilizer label), potassium (the K on the fertilizer label), to develop strong blooms and roots. Remember more is not better. Follow instructions on the bag. If you haven't put down a layer of compost, that can be done too.
Make sure you have a good three inches of mulch around the dripline of your roses. It will help to keep weeds at bay, retain water and keep the roots cooler in the upcoming summer weather.
This month, I have included pictures that show how I have blended California native plants with my roses. Enjoy!
Until next time … "Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting, and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud." - Vernon Howard