Roses in Winter

No peevish winter wind shall chill, no sullen tropic sun shall wither the roses in the rose-garden, which is ours and ours only. ~T.S. Eliot

I have a question from a reader to answer today, plus I added a few tips on using roses and rose hips during the holidays. Last week we had a blizzard, then ice and sleet. I certainly hope our weather cooperates this week! The snow is beautiful, as long as I don't have to drive on it. Stay warm and safe this week as you finish your holiday preparations.

My wedding is in a year and I was wanting to use red rose petals that guests could eat. They will be used on a wedding cake.What would you recommend? ~Tina

First, the roses HAVE to be untreated in any way to be used as food. The best ones to use are your own, so you know they've been grown organically. If you can't do that, then check with local florists. You can use fresh whole roses, rose buds or petals on the cake as long as they are safe to eat. They will need to be as fresh as possible and kept chilled until the reception. Place them on the cake at the last minute, unless you could keep the entire cake chilled with the roses already on the cake. You can Royal or Butter cream icing to attach the flowers.

As an alternative you could crystallize the rose petals. There is information on that process here: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/crystallizing-rose-petals

Christmas & Winter Arrangements

As long as we are on the subject of flowers I thought I would toss out some ideas for using plants and flowers during the holiday season.

Rose hips can be used in centerpieces and flower arrangements. They can be ordered from florists or found on your own rose bushes. You can also look for wild rose hips, but those are usually quite a bit smaller. Combine them still on the branch with greens for a rustic look or place them in bowls mixed with other natural items.

Roses are always beautiful any time of year. For the holidays try combining roses with greens in a holiday themed bowl for a pretty centerpiece. If you have a holiday teapot you can cut the roses and combine with greens for another charming centerpiece.

On OFL we have an article on using rose hips:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/rosehips.html

~Brenda

Heart Rosebud Tea Cup Topiary

This week I want to share with you a craft project that has been on Old Fashioned Living for quite some time. Now is the perfect time of year to begin drying out those rosebuds growing in your garden!

This lovely topiary makes for a pretty centerpiece on your tea table, or make one as a gift for your favorite hostess. Be sure to capture your garden roses before they wilt so you can dry them for this great project. 

If you don't have roses, you can purchase dried roses from a craft supply store. 

Thrifty tip: be sure to check thrift stores and garage sales for tea cups!

You will need:

1 4" heart from Kreative Foam (I got mine at Michael's)

1 8" stick

1 Tea cup (or a 3" terra cotta pot and dish, plain or painted)

1 2-3" square of sahara green decorative excelsior moss

dried mini rosebuds (I use about 2 oz or 200 rosebuds)

a few pieces of dried fern or ivy

a doily (for the tea cup saucer)

ribbon

sage green paint

foam brush

glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

Stick the foam heart on the stick. Paint the heart sage green.

While that is drying, put the sahara in the tea cup, trim it evenly with the lip of the cup. Cover it with excelsior. Insert the painted heart.

Using the glue gun, begin at the top of the heart and glue rosebuds all along the outside edge of the heart. Choose one side and add a second line of hearts along the inside of the first row. Continues in the manner, moving in a row until you reach the center of the heart. Turn it around and do the same on the other side.

When the heart is covered in rose buds, tie a ribbon at the bottom. You may add a few pieces of fern and rose buds in the center of one side, or another dried flower (I used peonies).

Finish the project by gluing the doily to the saucer, then gluing the cup to the doily. add a few pieces of fern or ivy to the base of the tea cup and at the base of the topiary (on the excelsior). Add another few rose buds or peonies on the fern. This is optional but I think it gives it a finished look.

If you are giving this as a gift, I recommend that you gather it into a piece of cello wrap, and tie it with a pretty ribbon. You may want to add a Rosebud Heart Tie-on, or Rosebud Note Card.

You can view this project online at Old Fashioned Living

Garden Tips: Growing Roses

How I would love to be transported into a scented Elizabethan garden with herbs and honeysuckles, a knot garden and roses clambering over a simple arbor... ~Rosemary Verey

Growing roses successfully can be a challenge, especially if you are trying to do it organically. I've been researching and experimenting since last summer and wanted to share more of what I have found. What do roses need? A good, rich soil that is amended with compost, humus and, if you have it, aged manure. They also need at least 6 hours of sun per day and deep, weekly watering-which is best done in the morning and below the foliage, not from above. Good air circulation is also important. Do not crowd your roses. Give them the room they need on all sides, which will help keep fungus to a minimum. These are the basics, but there are more things you can do to encourage your roses.

If your roses had black spot last year, remove all the old mulch from each plant. Give the ground a bit to dry and air out, then replace with new mulch. Before doing that you can add some nutrients to the soil around the plant. There are MANY combinations that rose gardeners swear by, and you'll have to find the one that is right for your soil and your roses. You can try 1/2 cup blood meal, 1/4 cup Epsom salts and 1 cup of lime. Do not dig it in where it will touch the stems or disturb the roots. Work it in around the plant carefully. Some gardeners prefer Sulfate of potash magnesia to Epsom salts-- it can be found at garden centers. If your soil is not acidic you can use gypsum instead of lime in the same measurement. You can also use alfalfa meal as a soil additive or make this "tea" for your roses: Add 10 cups of alfalfa pellets and 4 cups Epsom salts to a 32 gallon plastic garbage can. Fill with water, stir and brew the tea for a day or two. Use one gallon per rose bush.

Mildew can be a problem with roses too. First, give your plants space as I mentioned--- no crowding. If you've had the problem on a regular basis you can start spraying with a mixture of 1 tbsp. baking soda to 1 gallon of water. Spray on the foliage before as a preventive measure. Also, always keep the mulch away from the stem of the plant.

You can also try companion planting to aid your roses. Any garlic related plant is a good choice for rose companions. You can plant regular or elephant garlic, chives, or society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea). These help repel pests, while the following plants will help attract good insects to your roses: dill, alyssum, coriander, and gypsophila (baby's breath). Do be careful not to disturb your rose's roots when planting any of these companions.

Roses like a good, deep soak to promote deep rooting and they will actually develop drought tolerance if established this way. Frequent light waterings promote shallow roots that will depend on frequent watering. Applying the water slowly with soaker hoses or drip irrigation allows the water to soak in rather than running off, keeps water off the foliage (wet leaves spread fungal diseases), and reduces the puddling which can cause clay soils to form a hard surface less permeable to water.

Epsom salts has long been used to feed roses because it helps grow stronger stems, new growth and can even improve the color. If your roses are new this year, start with 2 teaspoons Epsom salts in early spring mixed into the soil a couple inches from the base of the plant. Older roses can handle more-- about a 1/2 cup worked into the soil four times per season. You can also use Epsom salts for your tomatoes. Mix 2 tablespoons in with a gallon of water and water the plants about 2 months after they have germinated.

Learn how to grow miniature roses on OFL:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/roses.html