Most gardeners dream of having profusely blooming, practically disease-free, unpretentious in growing and caring roses on their plots that would be hardy to our climate and have an amazing aroma. Someone will say that such plants do not exist in nature. And he will be wrong, because we are talking about real-life flowers called musk roses. Today we will present you the most common hybrids belonging to this numerous genus.
History of selection
At the beginning of the 20th century, Peter Lambert (a breeder from Germany) developed Trier, a variety that became the first musk rose. The selection result not only shocked ordinary flower growers, but also impressed specialists. Lambert developed a very fragrant, profusely (and repeatedly) blooming rose. Other breeders also took up the breeding of new varieties. For example, Lambert’s assistants, the Bentall spouses, created the “ballerina” variety, Joseph Pemberton (England) became the author of such varieties as “cornelia”, “penelope”, a huge nursery Lens Rosen opened Louis Lene (Belgium) where for many years they have grown and develop new varieties of magnificent fragrantplants. Musk roses are the name of a fairly extensive range of hybrids, such as:
- phoenecia,
- moschata;
- mulligani;
- arvensis;
- multiflora;
- sempervirens.
Features of plants
The best varieties of musk roses can be huge (up to two meters high) plants or fairly compact. Such roses are ideal for growing in a small garden, in a flower bed. Musk roses differ from their decorative "relatives" in that it is better to admire them from a distance, and not close. In this case, you can fully appreciate all the splendor of these flowering bushes.
Unlike the flowers of the usual garden roses, in musk hybrids they are collected in brushes and bloom almost simultaneously, turning the bush into a kind of air cloud. All musk roses bloom very profusely, so they are a real find for lovers of bright colors in the garden landscape. The flowering period is accompanied by minor rest breaks, which allows gardeners to admire the splendor of the bushes throughout the season.
It is necessary to separately note the exquisite aroma of these roses. It is very strong, with floral and fruity notes, with a slight hint of musk, a substance that is valued in perfumery. Moreover, in order to feel it, you do not need to bend down to the flowers, a musky rose (you can see the photo below), even one, is able to fill the entire garden with a magnificent aroma. To the most fragrantvarieties include Cornelia, Felicia, Daphnia.
Where is the best place to plant bushes?
We have already said that it is better to admire these flowers from a distance, so they should be planted in the very last row of the flower garden. Varieties with a strong aroma will be appropriate next to the gazebo or garden benches. In the foreground, flower beds can be grown, perhaps, only musk roses of the "ballerina" variety.
Small flowers of this plant form spherical bushes. Musk roses look great with other varieties of roses, such as tea roses, as well as decorative cereals. Climbing varieties are best planted next to clematis, together they create a beautiful visual range.
Musk roses care
According to most gardeners who already grow these plants on their plots, their advantages include simple cultivation and care. Such roses tolerate shading well, able to grow on not very rich soil. Although many flower growers note that these roses are responsive to care. The main rule that everyone who is going to grow these fragrant flowers should remember is the order of pruning. In these plants, only dead and diseased shoots are removed.
The roses bend down for the winter. This is not difficult to do, because the shoots are very flexible. Musk roses do not need to be grafted to propagate; they reproduce well from cuttings. These roses are very hardy, and if you dream of growing a rose garden on your site, then it is best to start with muskyvarieties. Below we present the most popular ones.
Balerina
The bushes of this variety are sprawling and dense, reaching a meter in height. Leaves are shiny and leathery. Spikes with a reddish tint. The buds are slightly elongated and pointed at the top. The flowers are small (no more than four centimeters in diameter), fragrant, painted in pale pink, collected in large inflorescences (up to 100 buds).
The variety has a long and abundant flowering. Re-blooms when pruned properly.
Schwerin
The variety is distinguished by vigorous and sprawling bushes with large glossy and dense leaves. Flowers semi-double, medium size (up to five centimeters). They are painted in a rich cherry red color and are collected in small inflorescences (up to eight flowers). The buds are pointed at the edges, elongated.
Robin Hood
Very showy plant with crimson flowers. It grows up to one and a half meters in height. Width - about one hundred and twenty centimeters, wider specimens are much rarer. The variety is disease resistant. Although the flowers of this species are quite small, they easily compensate for this "lack" by flowering in large racemes throughout the season.
Flowers can be of two types: semi-double and non-double. They are all cherry or crimson, with a white center, and lots of white "streaks" on the petals. The center of the flower is decorated with a bunch of golden stamens, which turn brown rather quickly. The brushes are thick, often resembling large raspberry balls. The leaves are dark green. The variety is vigorous, disease resistant.
Cornelia
Plant with delicate pink-apricot flowers. The bush grows up to one hundred and sixty centimeters with a width of more than one and a half meters. Small semi-double flowers amaze with their huge number. They open from coral red buds.
The reverse side of the petals remains salmon pink. This variety differs from others in wavy petals. In extreme heat, the color usually fades. Flowers form large clusters. In the first flowering up to twenty-five pieces, in autumn their number is almost twice as much. The leaves are dark green, shiny. The shoots are smooth, almost without thorns.
Rose Felicia
This variety is famous for its salmon-pink flowers. The height of the bush reaches one hundred and sixty centimeters, the width is about one hundred and eighty centimeters. The variety is disease resistant. Many growers consider this to be one of the best hybrids of musk roses. It has the largest flowers, the most beautiful color and the longest flowering period.
Double flowers, long petals, with a pink apricot underside and cream bases. Flowers are formed in large racemes (up to fifteen pieces). In autumn, the brushes become larger, and their number also increases (up to fifty pieces). The bush is quite spreading, but requires only minimal pruning, especially in the early years. The foliage is large, dark green, shiny, the thorns are large.
Muskroses: owner reviews
Judging by the reviews of gardeners, musk roses have become a real discovery for many of them. They are very happy with their purchase. The bushes are very picturesque, do not require complex care.
Many admire the exquisite aroma of these flowers and bloom throughout the season. Experienced flower growers find musky hybrids to be great for people who are just starting to grow roses.
