Contents
Climbing rose Elf (Elfe) is included in the climber subgroup. It is characterized by large flowers and creeping stems. A tall plant with long and abundant flowering is grown in all regions of Our Country (except the Far North). Used in decorative gardening for vertical gardening.
History of breeding
The climbing rose was created at the beginning of the XNUMXst century on the basis of the German rose company Tantau. The originator of the variety is Hans Jürgen Evers, the founder of the Nostalgic Roses series, in which Elf is one of the top three. Climbing rose has repeatedly won prizes at exhibitions.
Description and characteristics of the Elf rose variety
Frost resistance allows the variety to winter at a temperature of -25 0C without crown shelter. If the indicator is lower, then the stems freeze slightly. This factor affects the abundance of bud formation. With careful warming of the crown, the climbing rose winters at -30 0C without much damage.
Variety Elf does not tolerate even slight shading. To reveal the decorative qualities of the plant, the sun is needed throughout the daylight hours. Only if this condition is observed, the climbing rose blooms profusely and retains the flower size declared in the varietal characteristic. In the shade, side shoots stop growing, single buds become small or do not form.
The climbing rose does not tolerate high humidity during the rainy season. The flowers are saturated with moisture, lose their shape, wilt. The laying of buds stops, the bush stops blooming. The climbing rose also has a negative attitude to constantly wet soil. It should be planted in well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil.
What does the climbing variety Elf look like:
- A climbing rose grows in the form of a tall bush. At the age of two, the length of the stems reaches 1,5 m. The next season, the plant stretches to the size declared by the originator – 2–2,5 m. In the South, there are specimens with branches up to 5 m long.
- Crown width – 1,5–1,8 m.
- Variety Elf is characterized by intensive stem formation. Numerous young shoots grow rapidly from the root. From mid-summer, they are laying buds of a second wave of flowering.
- Perennial lashes are brown, stiff, thick, with a strong structure, do not break from the wind. Rigid, prickly, thorns wide at the base are rare and only on old stems.
- The leaves are glossy, dark green, leathery, with sharp tops. Attached by 5 pieces on petioles. In autumn they do not fall, without shelter they go under the snow, in early spring their structure and color do not change. They crumble after sap flow, when the climbing Elf begins to gain a new green mass.
The plant forms the first buds at the age of two years. Flowering is not too abundant, but not inferior to spray roses.
Full flowering of the variety begins from the third season
Description of climbing rose Elf (pictured):
- The first appearance of buds begins in June on perennial stems, lasts until mid-July. After a week break, buds form on the shoots of the current year. The cycle lasts until frost.
- The flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences of 3-5 pcs. They rarely grow alone. At the beginning of the season, the buds are larger than at the end. The life cycle of a flower from the moment of blooming is 6-7 days, then it loses its decorative effect, and it is removed from the bush.
- Climbing Elf belongs to the group of densely doubled varieties. The flowers are dense, rounded, 8–10 cm wide. The lower petals of a fully opened bud are curved and form an acute angle.
- The color of the lower part is light green, cream closer to the center, the core is light yellow. Over time, green fragments remain only at the base of the petals, the flower fades and becomes ivory.
Advantages and disadvantages of Elfe climbing rose
The advantages of the variety include:
- long flowering;
- abundant budding;
- early appearance of flowers. The first buds are formed in the second year of vegetation;
- good frost resistance;
- interesting coloring;
- resistance to diseases;
- standard agricultural practices.
The disadvantage of the variety is considered poor shade tolerance and intolerance to high humidity.
Methods of reproduction
Climbing Climber Elf produces seeds that are suitable for propagation. Seedlings are grown from them, and after two years the rose is ready for transplantation. It will bloom only after a few years. The process is effective, but too long, so amateur gardeners do not propagate this variety using seeds.
More often, the rose is bred vegetatively. To obtain layering, last year’s stem is fixed to the surface in the spring and covered with soil. Do not allow the soil to dry out, shelter for the winter. Climbing rose takes root well with vegetative buds. At the beginning of the season, the plots are planted. In a year they will bloom.
Cuttings are cut from last year’s stems when the inflorescences wither on them. The material is placed in a container with soil and left on the site. In the autumn they lower it into the basement, and in the spring they plant it in open ground. This method is suitable for temperate climates.
In the South, the harvested material is immediately planted in the ground and covered with cut plastic bottles.
Cultivation and care
Tall climbing roses are grown only near fixing structures. The support is installed in the season of placing the seedling on the site. Elf rose bush can be distributed on a vertical trellis, create a braided column or pyramid. Climbing variety is ideal for growing on the arch. The rose grows quickly, its stems are periodically fixed in any given direction.
The climbing variety Elf forms a dense bush, so a wide area is allocated for it. There should be good air circulation in the central part of the crown. The climbing rose develops well on loamy soil, does not tolerate stagnant water, and does not like drafts.
Care instructions:
- It is necessary to constantly maintain aeration of the soil, to prevent compaction of the upper layer. During loosening, weeds should be removed.
- The rose is mulched with compost mixed with peat. This prevents the soil from drying out quickly and stops grass growth.
- Cut the flowers after they wither.
- The frequency of watering depends on the rainfall. During the dry period, the rose needs about 30 liters of water per week.
The main condition for full growth is top dressing. Climbing rose responds well to the introduction of humus, compost, mullein. Fertilize with nitrogen in spring. During flowering, potassium and phosphorus are used. In autumn, a complex composition is chosen, which does not include nitrogen.
Variety Elf is prepared for wintering only in regions with a cold climate. In the subtropics, a climbing rose does not need preparatory measures:
- The plant is mulched with compost, straw or dry leaves are poured on top.
- They remove the rose from the structure, cut off the lashes older than three years.
- The crown is laid on a straw or leaf litter and covered with spunbond. You can install low arcs above the bush and pull the burlap.
Pests and diseases of the climbing rose Elf
Elf’s immunity to infection is quite resistant. The climbing rose requires a mandatory location in the sun, so a fungal infection does not threaten it. In the cold and wet season, black spotting is possible. If the plant is treated with Fitosporin in the spring, then the problem can be avoided.
Of the pests, the leafworm and the bronzovka parasitize on the rose. To eliminate insects, the drug “Spark” is effective.
In spring, climbing rose Elf requires preventive treatment with colloidal sulfur.
Application in landscape design
Variety with glossy leaves, dense crown and abundant flowering is suitable for any corner of the garden or plot. Cultivation is possible only with a fixing support, so the climbing rose is used for vertical gardening.
Some of the most common design decisions:
- Decorate summer verandas.
- Make flower beds.
- Used for zoning the site.
- Close unaesthetic areas.
- Set up recreation areas.
- Grow on arches
The climbing variety Elf in mass planting harmonizes well with red and pink flowers.
Conclusion
Climbing rose Elf is a tall German variety designed for vertical gardening. The plant is characterized by good frost resistance, undemanding care. It grows in any climate, but only in a sunny area. Does not tolerate high humidity and shade. On the video you can see the Elf climbing rose variety.
Reviews of the climbing rose Elf