Friday, July 16, 2010

Crested Moss Rose, Not a Portulaca

We inherited a Crested Moss Rose. It could of been planted back in the 1930s. When you say moss rose many people think of the low growing portulaca. But, this is a beautiful, highly scented  rose.
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I found an informative online article on moss roses  by Joan Katherine Shaw  she says:  “A glance at a Moss Rose bud gives the impression of a coating of small prickles, but the moss covering is soft to the touch, slightly sticky, and so intensely fragrant that simply rubbing one's fingers up the stalk to the sepals leaves one's hands with a rose fragrance as strong and lasting as any perfume.”  So true
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Notice the “crest” on top of the bud and the soft moss that covers the bud and stem of this rose. This picture and the one above was taken on June 11, 2010. 
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This picture was taken almost 2 weeks later. This rose occupies an area about 12 feet long and about 4 feet wide. The rose grows about 3 feet tall. This rose does not suffer die back like the other roses in my garden.  I rarely feed it or trim it except to keep it contained.  About 3 years ago I notice some skeletonizeing of a few leaves and ignored it. The next year there was a little more. I ignored it. Last year there was lots and it got my attention. I found tiny little roseslugs.  Roseslugs are tiny tapered looking green worms. They are the immature stages of the Rose Sawfly.  For about 10 days I would go out early in the morning and squish about 20 to 30 a day. Yes, I counted them, it sort of kept me entertained. At least the mornings were cool and the scent of the rose pleasant.  After the roses bloomed, I deadheaded much of this rose.  This is the rose this year after last years thinning.  Last winter I used a dormant oil from Gardens Alive on this area.  This spring I only found 2 or 3 leaves which showed roseslug activity. I also found a “daddy long-legs” spider working over the leaves.  Good!  I did find 2 or 3 leaves that showed roseslugs on my Reine de Violettes Rose and guess what! Another “daddy long-legs” spider doing his job.  This rose grows on the south side of my house. It is within the 33foot long arbor (see the sidebar pictures)
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Speaking of bugs, does anyone know what this is?  He didn’t seem to be eating the flowers. I’ve seen a couple of them. To me he looks like a bug eating bug.

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful Gloria, it reminds me of my Mary Rose from David Austin.

    Eileen

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  2. Hi Eileen, without a doubt the David Austin Roses are spectacular! I have Heritage and Evelyn.

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  3. What a gorgeous rose! It looks very healthy. I am wondering how it would do this far south. That bug is a pretty color. I don't think I have ever noticed one like it here. That doesn't mean we don't have them, though!

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  4. I had no idea that moss rose sepals were so fragrant. It's a lovely rose. I can empathize on the sawfly larvae, we had a similar species on our cherry tree this year, but they are easy to get rid of. You have the bonus of smelling like roses when you're done though! Looking at the antennae, and general shape, your bug looks to me like a Katydid nymph. I've had some on our squash blossoms this year, but there are hundreds of species, so I don't know which one you have. If you go to my June Garden Update post, in the squash section, there's a 'Just ask Katy' pic (you can click on the pic to see it larger). She has the same black and white spotted antennae, but I can tell she is a different species from the color.

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  5. I don't like to call portulacas moss roses -- because I like the old moss roses. :) Just lovely.

    No idea what the bug pictured is. But I'm glad the daddy longlegs are on the job!

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  6. Hi Deb, Thank you! I love the old roses because they are so hardy and survive even with great neglect.

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  7. Clare, Curbstone Valley you are right! a kaydid nymph! I have never seen one before, but it looks just like your picture. - Thanks

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  8. Meredith - I totally agree. Portulacas are not moss roses. But, I imagine they get their name because of the rose like flower. The mystery of the bug was solved by Clare. I am so glad.

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  9. Gloria, This is a beautiful rose -- makes me want to consider growing one! -Jean

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  10. What a pretty rose, I love it's colour and that it is scented. If a rose isn't scented I see no point in growing it:)

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  11. Jean, I would imagine this Rose would do very well under your loving care. It makes a great ground cover since it grows on it's own roots.

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  12. Melanie, it is scented and has such an old fashioned form. The only rose that I have that I think lacks that super rose scent is the William Baffin. But, it grows tall, I like that and I am finding it is sort of indestructible. I've moved it away and it keeps showing up.

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  13. Hi Gloria, I admire your finesse with finding and eradicating the destructive culprit of your gorgeous moss rose.

    Yours reminds me of my Portland 'Rose de Rescht' in form and behavior [but not in color, of course]. On its own roots, it has spread to encompass a fairly good sized plot of garden and because it's such a stellar smeller I get to reap the rewards just by breathing. Can't beat that!

    Can't ID the bug but I agree it looks like a carnivore--not wimpy at all. Kinda pretty even.

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  14. What a gorgous house and garden you have. I stumbled across your blog tonight and im so glad that I did - Great writing and fantastic pictures, i'll definitely be back:)

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  15. Those rose slugs cause some serious damage. I hope you get rid of them. I hate the sawflies-all of them. Your rose is lovely. And healthy too it looks wonderful.

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  16. Grace, I love it! "stellar smeller" I think Clare has positively idenified the bug as a katydid -

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  17. Freerangegirl! It is a pleasure "meeting" you. I enjoyed your blog from Yorkshire!

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  18. Tina - I think I got the roseslugs controlled. I've been on RoseSlug Patrol. After seeing what they can do I will be careful. Yesterday I squished 2 squash bugs. A gardener has to be ruthless when it comes to squishing :)

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  19. Beautiful Rose. I love the color.

    Don't dig up your New Dawn yet. Mine must be 4 years old now and this is the first year it has bloomed all summer. It has been a dud up until now and I almost dug mine up. Glad I didn't!

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  20. Beautiful Moss Rose! What is the scent like? I also love pink. Very nice garden!

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  21. Jeannie, thanks for the advice about the New Dawn Rose. Maybe next year it will bloom. Your rose in your pictures is very beautiful.

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  22. Hi Pricilla - The scent is very old fashion rose. Sometimes I pick an old fashion rose and put it on the dash of the car or on a dry plate in the house. The rose will dry and keep it's scent.

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