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English park roses are especially popular with gardeners in many countries. Such a demand for these species is due to their increased resistance to adverse climatic conditions and fungal diseases, long and lush flowering until frost. Among them is the rose “Boscobel” (Boscobel), which is distinguished by an unusually beautiful color of the petals. It can be used to decorate parks, squares, and home gardens, while it will look organic in any landscape design.
Rosa “Boscobel” – a re-flowering variety of culture
History of breeding
This English park rose is one of the novelties. Rosa “Boscobel” was first seen by gardeners in 2012. Its originator is British breeder David Austin. It was he who, more than 50 years ago, created a separate group of types of culture, which he united under the common name “English Roses”. All varieties included in it were obtained by crossing old varieties with modern hybrid tea and floribunda.
The result is roses that successfully combine the best qualities of both. They have ancient charm, sophistication, flower shape and fragrance, but are characterized by lush re-blooming, a diverse palette of shades and increased resistance to adverse climatic conditions. And the rose “Boscobel” by David Austin is a confirmation of this, in the catalogs it is listed as Austin Boscobel.
Description of the Boscobel rose and characteristics
This variety, like other types of culture, is a representative of the Multi-colored family, the genus Rosehip. Rosa “Boscobel” is a perennial deciduous shrub whose height reaches 120 cm and a diameter of about 80 cm. The shoots of the plant are erect, strong, flexible. At the same time, they easily withstand the load and do not bend during flowering. Therefore, the Boscobel rose does not require additional support.
The bark of young branches is green with a reddish tint on the sunny side, as it grows older, it noticeably fades. The shoots of the Boscobel rose are covered with rare small hooked-curved thorns. Leaves alternate, pinnate. They consist of 5-7 pieces. medium-sized plates attached to one common petiole, at the base of which there is an adherent stipule. The plates have a rich dark green hue with a characteristic sheen. They are smooth on both sides.
During the flowering period, the Boscobel rose forms a huge number of round-pointed buds, which are initially reddish in color. But as the petals open, they acquire a beautiful salmon-pink color. The flowers of the rose variety “Boscobel” are densely double. Each of them consists of 78-80 petals. Initially, they have a cup-shaped shape, but then it turns into a classic one. They form inflorescences of 3-5 pieces. The buds open gradually, which gives the impression of continuous flowering throughout the season until frost.
The diameter of flowers in this variety reaches 11 cm.
The shade of flowers varies depending on the time of day and air temperature. In the sun and in cool weather, the color becomes rich salmon, and in the shade and during the heat – pale pink.
Unlike wild species, the Boscobel rose has stamens and pistils that turn into additional petals, which is how its doubleness is achieved. At the same time, the external ones are much larger than the internal ones. When opened, her flowers have a flat shape with a slightly deepened surface.
Like many English roses, the Boscobel variety has a rich, pleasant aroma that can fill all corners of the garden. It successfully combines shades of hawthorn, almond, myrrh and pear.
Flowering in this variety is long and abundant, it occurs in two waves. The first comes in June and lasts for a month. The second time the rose “Boscobel” is covered with buds in August. The flowering period this time continues until frost.
The root system of the shrub is located in the upper layers of the soil. From the root neck, it grows almost horizontally. Therefore, in regions with a harsh climate, this variety must be insulated for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Park rose “Boscobel” has a number of advantages over other species. But she also has weaknesses that need to be paid attention to so that later this does not become an unpleasant surprise.
The Boscobel rose seedling grows to the size of an adult bush already in the second year after planting
The main advantages of the rose “Boscobel”:
- long, abundant flowering;
- pleasant rich aroma;
- medium resistance to fungal diseases;
- large size of flowers;
- easily propagated;
- has the ability to quickly recover after pruning;
- a small number of spikes;
- suitable for cutting;
- has high decorative qualities;
- compact bushes;
- frost resistance.
Disadvantages:
- needs regular feeding;
- petals quickly crumble at high air temperatures;
- does not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil;
- in the rainy season, the flowers lose their decorative effect.
Methods of reproduction
Fragrant English rose “Boscobel” can be propagated by cuttings and layering. The first method should be used to obtain a large number of seedlings, and the second, when you need to grow 1-2 additional bushes of this variety.
Cuttings should be carried out in May before the first flowering. To do this, you need to cut the lignified shoot into pieces 20 cm long with 2-3 internodes. The lower leaves must be completely removed, and the upper ones cut in half to keep the sap flow in the tissues.
Then powder the lower cut with a root former and plant the cuttings directly into the ground in a shady place. To create a favorable microclimate for rooting, they need to be covered with a transparent cap. Young plants can be transplanted to a permanent place only next spring.
Reproduction by layering does not require complex actions. To obtain new seedlings, it is necessary to bury the lower 1-2 shoots by 5-10 cm into the soil at the beginning of summer and pin them so that they do not rise. Only the top should be left on top. In this form, layering should winter. They can be separated from the mother bush only in the next season.
Cultivation and care
For roses “Boscobel” you need to choose a sunny open place with light shade at noon, and protected from drafts. For this variety, it is necessary that the soil be rich in organic matter and have good moisture and air permeability. At the same time, the level of groundwater in the area must be at least 1 m, otherwise the rose will eventually die.
When planting, the root neck must be deepened 2 cm into the soil.
This variety is demanding to care for. To obtain maximum decorative effect, it is necessary to carry out regular watering when the top layer of the earth dries to a depth of 5 cm. To do this, use settled water with a temperature of +20 degrees. It is important that moisture does not get on the leaves.
Also, the rose “Boscobel” needs top dressing at least 3 times per season. In the spring, during the active growing season, it must be fertilized with organic matter (chicken manure 1:15) or nitroamophos (30 g per 10 liters of water). The second and third time – during the formation of buds. During this period, it is necessary to reduce the amount of nitrogen, so superphosphate 40 g and potassium sulfate (20 g per 10 liters of water) should be used.
The soil at the base of the shrub throughout the season must be constantly loosened and weeds removed. During the heat period, the root circle should be covered with mulch with a layer of 3 cm. To do this, you can use pine bark, which will retain moisture in the soil.
Rosa ‘Boscobel’ needs regular pruning. In the spring, frozen shoots and broken branches should be pruned. In the summer, shaping pruning should be carried out, shortening the tops that are knocked out of the total mass. Also during this period, wilted inflorescences should be regularly removed so that they do not waste the vitality of the plant. In autumn, old shoots should be cut, leaving no more than 7 pieces.
For the winter in the central and northern regions, the root system of the shrub should be covered with a layer of straw 10-15 cm thick. Also, in the case of a harsh snowless winter, you need to additionally make a wooden frame to the height of a rose and wrap it with agrofiber. Shelter should be removed in early spring, without waiting for heat, so that the shoots do not stick out at the base.
Pests and diseases
Rosa “Boscobel” shows high resistance to diseases and pests. But if the growing conditions do not match, its immunity decreases.
Possible problems:
- Mučnistaâ rosa. It is characterized by a white coating on the leaves, which prevents photosynthesis. The disease causes premature leaf fall and interferes with full flowering. Topaz should be used for treatment.
- Black spot. The disease develops during prolonged rains. It is characterized by black dots on the leaves, which gradually increase in size. As a result, the shoots are completely exposed, which negatively affects the decorativeness of the shrub. For treatment, the fungicide “Skor” should be used.
- aphid. The pest feeds on the juice of young leaves and shoots. Forms whole colonies, which can be found on the tops of branches and on the back of the leaves. To fight, you should use Actellik.
Application in landscape design
Rosa “Boscobel” is very much in demand among landscape designers. Her compact erect bushes look great in single compositions against a green lawn, as well as in multi-level compositions. Rosa “Boscobel” is suitable for creating flowering hedges and mixborders.
The beauty of this variety can be successfully emphasized by conifers and other decorative and deciduous shrubs.
You can clearly see the beauty of the Boscobel rose in the proposed video:
The best neighbors for a rose can be:
- sage;
- cat mint;
- cuff;
- lavender.
A boxwood border can successfully cover the bare shoots of the Boscobel rose at the bottom.
Conclusion
Rosa Boscobel is a spectacular variety with an unusual color of flowers, which will look organically at the entrance to the gazebo, in the center of the flower bed and as a tapeworm. At the same time, it is characterized by high frost resistance, which makes it possible to grow it in regions with a harsh climate. Thanks to these qualities, many gardeners prefer him, despite the high cost of the bushes, compared to other species.