The elegant and rather laconic beauty of the famous hybrid tea rose, named after Queen Elizabeth II of England, is known far beyond the Foggy Albion.
Brought out in the middle of the last century, the Queen Elizabeth rose became the ancestor of a separate group of roses - the grandiflora famous today. This culture, its features and preferences will be discussed in this publication.
A bit of history
Crossing dark pink hybrid tea Charlotte Armstrong and orange red floribunda Floradora in 1954, Queen Elizabeth became an unexpected experimental variety, different from all existing groups at that time, and recognized as the bearer of all the best qualities of culture.
This rose was noticeably different from the species then familiar: it was a very strong bush with spectacular large flowers resembling hybrid tea varieties, and stems growing in bunches, like floribunda crops. These features have become the main criteria that prompted breeding science to classify Queen Elizabeth as the ancestor of a new group - grandiflora.
Rose Queen Elizabeth description
Reviews of gardeners about one of the most exquisite varieties of roses are unanimous - Queen Elizabeth is not only amazingly beautiful, which has been proven more than once by awarding her prizes and awards at prestigious world exhibitions, but also remarkably unpretentious in growing. The simplicity in cultivating roses allows both experienced and novice gardeners to cope with the cultivation of this decorative beauty.
The bush is vigorous, not sprawling, reaches a height of 100-110 cm. In the southern regions it can grow up to 1.5-1.8 m. The shoots are medium leafy. The variety is characterized not only by beautiful inflorescences, but also by decorative glossy leaves.
Magnificent flowers of the culture are especially attractive: large (up to 10 cm in diameter), resembling a glass with a high center, saturated deep pink. Each flower forms up to 25-40 petals - delicate and beautiful. The outer petals are slightly wavy, they are bent down. The inner petals do not close tightly, forming a loose core. The buds are elongated in a light red hue, at the stage of full blooming the flowers change shape, turning from goblet to flat, and noticeably turn pale, becoming pale pink. The flowers have a delicate unobtrusive aroma.
Rose Queen Elizabeth (grandiflora) is appreciated by world breeding associations. For more than half a century of history, the variety has been awarded high awards. The fact that already in 1955 the Queen Elizabeth rose, having undergone a complex procedureevaluation of the qualities of culture, became the winner of the AARS, and in 1979 the "Rose of the World", speaks of a very high decorative condition.
Cultural Virtues
Generally recognized virtues of this variety are:
- Ability to form a compact neat yet powerful bush with bright dark green dense leathery leaves and large thorns.
- High resistance to typical diseases.
- Good winter hardiness, resistance to temperature extremes and bright sunlight, flower petals are not subject to fading, do not lose their decorative effect throughout the entire flowering period.
- Generous long bloom.
- Successful propagation by cuttings.
Rose Queen Elizabeth: Growing
Qualitative development of culture is ensured by the correct selection of the site. The plant does not tolerate strong through winds, so the place for planting is chosen carefully. In addition to protection from the winds, the site should be well lit by the sun, since the decorative effect of the plant depends on the degree of illumination. Shading the bush causes the flowers to shred and a significant decrease in decorative effect.
Rose Queen Elizabeth, the description of which is presented, loves well-drained, fertile, loose soils. It is preferable to plant a crop in the spring, in mid-May.
Landing
Preliminary preparation of the plant is necessary: shoots are shortened to 3-5 buds in the seedling, cutting off weakened growths, cut the roots and leave it in water withby adding a biostimulator (for example, "Zircon") for 24 hours. The soil on the site for planting is prepared in advance, digging with humus and the necessary fertilizer complex.
When planting a young crop, they monitor its correct location: the root collar is buried 10 cm into the ground. Upon completion of planting, the soil is well compacted, the trunk circle is watered abundantly.
Crop care
Hybrid tea rose Queen Elizabeth is a culture sensitive to excessive moisture and stagnant groundwater. However, the lack of water can also have a very negative effect, a significant shortage will destroy the plant. Therefore, the moderation of watering is extremely important, but during the period of rooting and vegetation, their intensity is increased. Watering 10 liters every 10-12 days is considered optimal, but you should definitely focus on the weather in the region. By the end of summer, watering is reduced, gradually reducing them to nothing. But before wintering, the culture is once again generously watered.
An important aspect of care is weeding and loosening the soil under the bush, which should be carried out periodically. You can mulch tree trunks with wood chips, humus or any other garden material.
Pruning - autumn and spring - helps to maintain the decorativeness of the culture. Once every 6-7 years, the culture is rejuvenated by radical pruning. An indispensable condition for the good growth of the bush is timely top dressing: nitrogen-containing fertilizers are needed in the spring, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are needed during flowering and preparation for it. These same drugsintroduced before winter will help the culture survive the cold season.
