Q. All my roses
face north, and some are against a cinder block wall. They get no shade and
they really struggle with our summer heat. Most will have to be replaced. I am
already looking at roses to plant for next summer. Do you know any varieties
that can withstand our summers? Also, how does Crepe Myrtle handle our summer
heat?
face north, and some are against a cinder block wall. They get no shade and
they really struggle with our summer heat. Most will have to be replaced. I am
already looking at roses to plant for next summer. Do you know any varieties
that can withstand our summers? Also, how does Crepe Myrtle handle our summer
heat?
A. If your roses are on the north side of a building then
they may get direct sunlight late in the afternoon because of where the sun
sets in the summertime. That late afternoon direct sun can be very damaging if
they have been going on the shady north side all day. Healthy plants handle
heat better. Plant both in soil amended with good compost.
they may get direct sunlight late in the afternoon because of where the sun
sets in the summertime. That late afternoon direct sun can be very damaging if
they have been going on the shady north side all day. Healthy plants handle
heat better. Plant both in soil amended with good compost.
 |
| Roses growing in the desert should not be planted surrounded by rock. |
Somewhat
tender plants to our desert climate, like roses and crape myrtle, handle the
intense desert heat and sunlight if they are growing in soil amended with
organics and the soil is covered with mulch that rots or decomposes. Roses and Crepe
Myrtle will struggle after a few years when planted in soils covered by rock.
If you want them to look good in years to come, roses and Crape Myrtle should
never be surrounded by rock mulch. Ever.
tender plants to our desert climate, like roses and crape myrtle, handle the
intense desert heat and sunlight if they are growing in soil amended with
organics and the soil is covered with mulch that rots or decomposes. Roses and Crepe
Myrtle will struggle after a few years when planted in soils covered by rock.
If you want them to look good in years to come, roses and Crape Myrtle should
never be surrounded by rock mulch. Ever.
Always
plant in soils that are amended with a decent soil amendment like compost.
After planting, always cover the soil with mulch that rots or decomposes such
as woodchips. The woodchips on top of wet soil will decompose. Fertilizing
these plants appropriately keeps them healthy, the leaves green and vibrant.
plant in soils that are amended with a decent soil amendment like compost.
After planting, always cover the soil with mulch that rots or decomposes such
as woodchips. The woodchips on top of wet soil will decompose. Fertilizing
these plants appropriately keeps them healthy, the leaves green and vibrant.
It might
be a good idea to provide some shade from that intense sunlight late in the
afternoon. Plant a medium-sized shrub or build a pony wall in this location to
provide a less intense microclimate for their growth.
be a good idea to provide some shade from that intense sunlight late in the
afternoon. Plant a medium-sized shrub or build a pony wall in this location to
provide a less intense microclimate for their growth.
A
list of roses that perform best in desert climates can be found on the Weeks
Roses website located at www.weeksroses.com in the column titled, “Roses by
Climate”.