Success with own-root roses is part philosophy and part technique, Shoup says.
To date, most own-root roses are shrub and hedge roses, some climbers, old-fashioned or "heirloom" types, and minis. If you want an own-root hybrid tea, that may take some looking.
This naturally rounded, own-root shrub reaches 2½-4 feet tall and has proved very clean and disease-resistant. Blooms are semidouble, measuring 3½-4 inches wide, with a 10-12 petal count. Plant in full sun in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Grafted roses flower sooner than "own-root" roses, and they can be more vigorous; however, I prefer roses that are grown on their own roots.
The varieties may be grafted on to other root stock or grown own-root. Own-root roses grow back true to variety if frozen to the ground, but grafted roses will not.
Most plums sold today are grafted, but home gardeners in severe climates would do better to choose own-root plums.
Gregg Lowery owns and operates Vintage Gardens, in Sebastopol, California, a retail and mail-order own-root rose nursery. He also grows more than 2,000 varieties of roses, both antique and modern, in his own collection.
Lay down climbing rose canes and cover them, too. Buy non-grafted or "own-root" roses if you live where temperatures drop to -20° F or colder. These roses can often grow back from their roots if their tops die from winter cold.
Plant cold-hardy roses - the shop where you purchase bushes can help advise you on which roses to buy - or plant own-root roses. These roses grow back from the roots fairly quickly, even if the plant dies.
an outstanding variety - creamy white single with heavy raspberry rays extending from the base almost to the tip". Anyway, I successfully propagated "Fiji #1" wood, both as grafts and on own-roots.
See also: Plant, Graft, Root, Flower, Soil
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