Climbing rose Elf large-flowered was bred in 2000 by the German company Tantau in the Nostalgic Roses series. Breeders managed to create in this plant an exquisite combination of gentle romanticism of nostalgic roses with an elegant silhouette of hybrid tea roses.
Additionally, this rose's large, densely doubled flowers of an amazing greenish-white hue with a slight fruity scent play with different hues depending on the weather and light levels. This article will tell you whether Elf climbing rose can grow in our climatic conditions, what factors affect the growth, development and abundance of flowering.
General characteristics
According to the official classification of the American Rose Society, which is used by many flower growers around the world, the re-blooming Elfe is Modern Roses - a modern garden rose belonging to the Large-Flowered Climber (LCI) species. Rosa Elf climbing forms an upright vigorousbush, the shoots of which can grow up to 3-4 meters in length. Thanks to this, it is perfect for vertical gardening of the walls of houses and various buildings, it will decorate pergolas and arbors. The growth of long flowering shoots can be directed both up and down the support. In the latter case, under the weight of flowers and buds, they will cascade down to the ground. The variety is quite resistant to typical diseases and slight cold weather, but in the middle zone it winters better under cover.
Rose Elf climbing: description of flowers
In addition to the unusual light yellow hue, this variety is distinguished by a large size of double flowers, the diameter of which can vary from 10 to 14 cm. buds in umbellate inflorescences. Depending on the composition and type of soil in which it grows, the color of the petals may vary slightly. Unfortunately, the climbing Elf rose (gardeners testify to this) fades quite strongly in the sun, flowers can also suffer from heavy rain. The aroma of Elfe is very delicate, with soft fruity notes.
Where to plant?
Climbing rose Elf prefers slightly acidic or neutral fertile light soils, as well as places well warmed by the sun and ventilated, but protected from strong winds. That is why most landscape designers recommend planting Elfe in elevated or high southern areas. Thanks toIn such a placement, the growth will develop actively and will be able to bloom the very next year after planting. These southern beauties cannot stand stagnant moisture, so they are not recommended to be planted in areas with high groundwater. It is important to remember when choosing a place where the Elf climbing rose “settles”: planting and caring for it require quite a lot of space around. Think in advance how and where you will lay the bush for the winter, whether you can close all the shoots.
How to prepare a seedling?
Before planting a seedling of a climbing large-flowered Elf rose in a permanent place, it is necessary to carry out several simple procedures with it. If the plant is planted in the spring, then the seedling is soaked for a day in water at room temperature, which will allow the root system to absorb moisture. Immediately before planting, the plant is pruned, leaving a few of the strongest shoots. The roots are also pruned, removing very long and damaged ones. Such pruning stimulates the seedling to actively grow in the first year and will allow it to please you with flowering in the next season.
Planting
When starting to plant any climbing rose, including Elfe, you should remember that the distance between the plant and any building should be at least 0.5 meters. Otherwise, the root system will overheat and dry out, and the bush itself will develop slowly and may die.
For a seedling, it is necessary to prepare a hole with a depth of about 50-60 cm. The width and depth of the planting hole depend on how developedplant root system. When digging a hole, you need to remember that the roots should be located freely in it. After the hole is ready, 3–4 kg of rotted compost mixed with garden soil or cow manure are brought into it and well spilled with water.
We straighten the roots of the seedling in the hole tightly, so that there are no voids left, fill the hole with a mixture of garden soil and humus prepared in advance. The root neck of any climbing rose (and the Elf is no exception) must be deepened into the soil by at least 10 cm. This will protect the plant from freezing. In addition, with such a deep planting, the shoots that are in the ground form additional roots.
After the hole is filled with soil to the main level, the soil around the plant itself can be compacted with your feet. The planted rose must be watered, and any root stimulant or humates can be added to the water. For better adaptation, seedlings should be covered with foil for the first few weeks or, if the size of the plants is small, with cut plastic bottles. Gradually, as the plants "come to their senses", you can remove the shelters.
How to care?
The very next year after planting, Elf climbing rose requires much less care and attention.
It is enough to remove and cut the bush in a timely manner, water and feed the plant with fertilizers. Cut rose bushes, thinning out the internal volume, as well as shaping the plant in accordance with the design of the garden or the creative intent of the grower. Wateringroses are needed infrequently, once every 7-10 days, but plentifully. The manure or humus introduced during planting will be enough for the first years of growth, but in the future the queen of flowers needs to be fed with both organic and mineral fertilizers at least 5 times per season.
