48 results
Ask Felicia: What Is Gall In Roses?
What exactly is gall in roses, and is there a chance that some bare root roses we have purchased from online nurseries are infected with it? It seems to be a hot topic on rose Facebook groups periodically, and I don't know if I have ever actually checked for it when I receive my bare roots. FB groups act as if it is the dreaded leprosy of roses...is it something to be really worried about, and if it is, what is the action plan for an avid rose grower?
Ask Felicia: Fall Pruning Tips for Garden Roses
Great newsletter Felicia! As far as the David Austin English Shrub roses go, should I cut back the over 6 feet long canes on them before serious winter sets in? If I do, won't that send the signal to not go into dormancy and instead replace them with vulnerable new growth? Also I have several old garden roses (Moss roses, Mme Hardy, etc) whose canes are over 6 feet...Are these treated the same way? HELP, I'm really confused!
Ask Felicia: Understanding Basal Breaks in Grafted Roses
Hi Felicia. I grow almost all own root roses, & there is no joy quite equal to that of seeing new basal breaks! My question is: is it possible to get new basal breaks from a Grafted rose? From near the bud union?
Ask Felicia: Caring for Roses After Severe Weather
I planted bare root roses in the spring from Menagerie. They're doing great! Before the remnants of Hurricane Helene came through, I deadheaded and cut back tall canes to prevent wind rock. Glad I did. Winds were over 55 mph here! Despite my efforts some of the roses got rocked. How should I help them get re-established?
Ask Felicia: 5 Rose Companion Plants to Deter Insects
Hi Lisa, thank you for your kind words about our roses and the Sunday Stem—it means so much to hear that you're enjoying them! When it comes to companion planting for deterring insects, there are a few reliable plants to consider. While chives are a good companion for many plants, they're not always strong enough to fend off persistent pests like aphids. Instead, try incorporating:
Ask Felicia: When Is The Best Time To Transplant Roses?
The best time to transplant your rose in Zone 8b is during its dormant season, typically early winter (after the first frost but before any heavy freezes) so right now through the end of February is the perfect time for you. (If you're in a colder climate I wrote a few transplanting tips in a previous issue.) Since your rose was bare root planted two years ago, it should be well-established and can handle the move as long as you take care to preserve its root system.
Ask Felicia: How to Overwinter Potted Roses in Cold Climates
I have many potted roses this year in Montana that I purchased from you and do not want to lose them to our harsh winters. I plan to winter them inside a storage shed- is that advisable? They are in large buckets with root bulb buried for protection. Any advice would be helpful.
Ask Felicia: 6 Tips for Managing Climbing Roses as Shrubs
This is such a great question as I am a big fan of growing certain climbers a shrubs for cut flower production because it's a great way to get that long stem length that garden roses can often lack. Treating a climbing rose as a shrub has other benefits as well. It can be an effective way to adapt these plants to smaller spaces or specific garden designs. However, it requires thoughtful pruning and care. Here's a breakdown of the pros, cons, and some best practice tips if you want to try it i...
Ask Felicia: What's The Best Way to Prune Climbing Roses?
Proper pruning sets your climbing roses up for a season of strong growth and beautiful blooms. Take the time to shape and train them when you prune, and you'll be rewarded with a stunning floral display in the summer months!
Ask Felicia: What Are The Best Roses for Perennial Borders?
In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia shares expert advice to help you nurture beauty and joy in your life. Each week, we spotlight a special Subscriber Q&A, where Felicia answers your most pressing questions. Keep reading for this week’s insights and inspiration!
Ask Felicia: When Is The Best Time To Move Established Roses?
In Zone 5, where winters are colder, the best time to move established roses is in early spring, just before new growth starts, or in late fall, after the first frost (but before hard freeze) when the plant is dormant. This timing minimizes stress since the plant isn't actively growing, making it easier to handle the roots.
Ask Felicia: What's The Best Way To Manage Black Spot on Roses?
Black spot is one of the most frustrating fungal diseases for rose growers, but it can be managed with a proactive approach. Prevention is key. The best way to handle black spot is to prevent it in the first place. I recommend choosing disease-resistant varieties whenever possible, planting in full sun to allow the leaves to dry quickly after rain or morning dew, pruning for airflow—good air circulation helps prevent fungal spores from thriving and watering at the base and avoid overhead wate...
Ask Felicia: Recovery Tips for Roses Damaged by Extreme Winter Weather
We are experiencing some severe below zero temps this week here in Montana. Our winters are harsh and no fun. This is my last Montana winter hopefully. I have 60 potted roses and put them all under cover in sheds. The leaves are crunchy. They are in pots to take when I move. Will they survive?
Ask Felicia: Should You Use Dormant Oil on Bare Root Roses?
Hi Haley - Yes! I do recommend spraying dormant oil on newly planted bare root roses before they start to wake up. This helps smother any overwintering pests that could be in hiding on the plant or jumped on after planting. It can be a great preventative step, especially if you're planting in an area of your garden with a history of pest issues. Just be sure to apply it on a dry day when temperatures are above freezing but still cool. And most importantly, make sure to follow the label direct...
Ask Felicia: Grafted vs. Own Root Koko Loko Roses
There's definitely a noticeable difference between grafted and own-root Koko Loko roses, and in my experience, grafted plants perform much better. Four seasons ago, I added both types to my bare-root rose collection (I now only offer grafted), and about seven years ago, I set up a trial section in my field to compare their performance side by side. Today, the grafted Koko Loko roses consistently outshine the own-root ones in my commercial cut flower production field, producing nearly twice as...
Ask Felicia: Which is Better – Own Root or Grafted Bare Root Roses?
Hello Felicia! Could you explain to us when to buy an own root rose versus a grafted rose? I know you sell both in your store. I’m confused about which one is best.
Ask Felicia: When Should I Harvest Roses for the Longest Vase Life?
When is the best time to harvest roses for longest vase life especially for Queen of Sweden?
Ask Felicia: Do You Really Need to Protect Your Roses in Winter?
In USDA Zone 6a/5b, providing winter protection for roses, while a time consuming task, is usually necessary to maintain their health and ensure plant viability in the following year. Grafted roses are especially vulnerable to winter damage because the graft union is sensitive to freezing temperatures. (Learn more about the difference between frost & freezing.) These types of roses are more likely to experience dieback of the top stock, making winterizing a critical step for their surviva...
Ask Felicia: What to Do if You Spot Crown Gall on Your Rose
Crown gall is a tough disease to manage because the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens persists in the soil for a long time. Since you didn't see any galls when planting, but they developed over the season, it's likely the bacterium was already present in the soil or introduced through a small wound on the roots. You can read more about what gall is is and how common it occurs in a past Q&A edition.
Ask Felicia: What's The Best Timing For Fungicide Applications On Roses In The Spring?
How much spring growth should I allow on my established roses before I begin my weekly spraying of fungicides? What about beginning newly planted bare roots on the fungicide regime?
Ask Felicia: Is It Safe to Combine Liquid Copper and Horticultural Oil in a Sprayer?
That's a fantastic question and one I'm often asked about, especially regarding chemicals used for dormant sprays. The answer isn't entirely straightforward—it depends on the specific products you're using. Here's a general breakdown: Liquid copper (copper fungicide) and horticultural oil can sometimes be mixed for dormant sprays, but ONLY if the product labels explicitly state they are compatible. Some copper formulations can react with oil, potentially causing phytotoxicity (leaf burn or bu...
Ask Felicia: Should I Pot Bare Root Roses Before Relocating?
I will receive my bare root roses while I'm still living in Phoenix, zone 9b. I plan to plant them in my summer location in zone 5b when I relocate the end of April. If I receive my bare root roses on the last shipping date in April can I wait to plant them when I relocate or should I plant them in pots as soon as I receive them?
Felicia's Favorite Deep Pink Garden Rose Varieties
Symbolizing gratitude and appreciation, a bouquet of deep-pink garden roses is the perfect way to say "thank you!" Ranging from hot pink to berry to magenta, these are my favorite deep-pink garden rose varieties!
Felicia's Favorite Light Pink Garden Rose Varieties
Light pink roses symbolize grace, gentleness, and joy, making them the perfect addition to your garden or bouquet. Read on to find my all-time favorite “Pretty in Pink” garden rose varieties.
Ask Felicia: What Is The Recommend Rose Plant Spacing For Cut Flower Production?
In rose production, reducing plant spacing to prioritize flower harvest over aesthetics and airflow is common, with 2-foot spacing in staggered rows within a 4-foot bed being a typical setup. However, this close spacing necessitates rigorous pruning/harvesting to maintain airflow and minimize disease pressure, along with regular fungicide or organic sprays to manage issues like black spot or mildew in wet conditions. I would avoid using t-posts to corral roses unless they are climbers needing...
Ask Felicia: Bare Root Roses in Pots vs. Ground Planting—Which Yields Better Results?
Planting bare root roses in pots during winter/spring and then transplanting them into the ground in fall can offer certain advantages. However, I personally prefer planting bare root roses directly in the ground. This approach minimizes transplant shock and produces larger, healthier plants by the same point in the growing season compared to roses started in pots. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of both methods:
Ask Felicia: What’s Different About Pruning in Year 1? Plus Vertical Growth Tips for Roses
In the first year, pruning should be minimal to allow climbing roses to establish strong roots. (For more information on pruning hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda and English roses you can catch up on last week's newsletter main feature.) Only remove dead or damaged canes and focus on training rather than cutting, guiding new canes horizontally along the deer fence to encourage lateral shoots and increased flowering.
2023 Workshops on the Farm
We’re excited to release our lineup of 2023 Menagerie Farm & Flower Workshops! Hone your growing & design skills, check out the farm in-person, and learn alongside other rose-lovers. We hope you’ll join us at our farm in Live Oak, California, for learning and FUN!
Potted Rose Sale Questions & Answers
Our 2022 Potted Rose season is here and our inbox is filled with questions from excited rose gardeners! Read below for all the details on our potted roses.
Q & A with Star® Roses and Plants: A Guide to Own Root Rose Grading
Whether you're a novice gardener or a seasoned rose grower, having a thorough understanding of the grading standards for own root roses is crucial for making informed decisions when buying bare root roses. In this informative blog post, we delve into the grading criteria used for own root roses, highlight the distinctions from grafted roses, and provide valuable insights into what to anticipate when purchasing own root roses.
4 Tips For Growing Tulips In Warm Climates
With their vibrant colors and unique petals, tulips are the epitome of spring - gardeners and farmers eagerly wait for them to bloom each year. If you live in a warm climate, you may have assumed that growing tulips is an impossible feat, but it’s actually possible to plant tulips and enjoy their beauty even in warm temperatures! Follow our tips below and you'll have your very own tulip garden in no time.
News Vol 19: Your Guide to the Best Dormant Pruning Tools for Roses
Pruning isn't just about making cuts—it's about making the right cuts with the right tools. The proper equipment can make all the difference, improving efficiency, precision and plant health while making the task far less labor-intensive. High-quality, ergonomic tools not only reduce strain on your hands but also ensure cleaner cuts that promote faster, healthier healing for your plants. Over the years, I've tested dozens of tools, and trust me—when you're pruning thousands of roses, you quic...
Tulip Bulb Collection Varieties Featured
With our pre-chilled tulip bulb pre-sale coming up on September 9th, we’re already making plans for spring. Learn more about the varieties in our 2022 Collection below and get your wishlist ready!
News Vol 1: Welcome To Our New Newsletter
I'm thrilled to introduce my new weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia: Simple Tips For Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes. This new weekly mini-magazine is dedicated to celebrating the simple pleasures of family, home and garden life.
How To Plant Tulip Bulbs In Pots & Containers
Looking to grow tulips but don't have enough space or are dealing with frozen ground? No problem! Planting tulip bulbs in a pot or container is a great solution. Check out our blog post to learn the best tips and techniques for successfully growing tulips in pots or containers. From selecting the right soil to nurturing your tulips, we've got you covered. Get ready to welcome a colorful burst of tulips right to your doorstep!
News Vol 4: How to Shape Prune Garden Roses
Now that we've tackled insect and disease care, let's explore the final step in a good fall clean-up - the essentials of fall shape pruning and tidying up your rose beds. This last stage will ensure your roses are primed for a winter nap and a successful spring!
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Whether you're planting tulip bulbs in a garden, trench, raised bed or pot, we've got you covered! Here are our top tips for planting tulip bulbs.
What Are Pre-Cooled Tulip Bulbs
At some point in your gardening journey, you’ve likely planted bulbs in the fall and waited for their blooms to burst in spring. But what does it mean for bulbs to be pre-cooled or pre-chilled? Keep reading to find out why tulip bulbs are pre-cooled and how it can make a difference in your garden!
News Vol 21: Easy Dormant Spray For Disease & Insect Care
Welcome to the final week of our dormant pruning theme. We're wrapping it all up with one crucial step you don't want to miss—applying your dormant spray. Trust me, this isn't just an optional task; it's a must do for beautiful in-season blooms. I learned this the hard way one season when I didn't spray a section in my rose field because we had very late wet winter storms and it was too muddy to get in the field. The result? Families of aphids and thrips came alive, wreaking havoc! Trust me w...
News Vol 27: How To Treat Rose Diseases
Throughout April, I'm sharing essential tips to for Spring rose care. This past week brought classic Spring weather to the farm—warm, sunny days reaching into the 80s, followed by rainstorms, hail and thunder for the next 4 days. This unpredictable, humid weather creates the perfect conditions for rose diseases to emerge, even in our typically dry, arid climate in zone 9b. The combination of overcast skies and storms can invite issues for gardens that normally stay disease-free. That's why th...
News Vol 26: Rose Fertilizing 101
Happy April! I'm so excited to kick off this month's theme: Spring Rose Care. Over the next few weeks, we're diving into everything you need to know to keep your roses healthy during the spring months. We'll cover fertilizer, pests, diseases, irrigation, and even planting potted roses. Let's make your garden the envy of the neighborhood!
News Vol 25: The Perfect Soil For Roses
To finish strong, we're talking about one of the most crucial (and often overlooked) steps in growing thriving roses—getting a soil test. If you've been around Menagerie for a while, you've probably heard me say this before, but the foundation of healthy, happy roses starts with understanding your soil. I do soil testing in multiple locations on the farm at least once yearly and more often if I am trying to correct a problem in a specific area of our production field.
News Vol 17: 10 Rose Planting Mistakes to Avoid for Healthier Blooms
This January has been unseasonably sunny and dry, and our roses are already beginning to push out buds—it looks like spring will be arriving early around here! At the farm, we're in the thick of bare root rose season this weekend, working hard to prepare and start fulfilling orders on Monday. I'm so excited to begin sending roses your way very soon!
News Vol 13: The Pros & Cons of Own Root vs. Grafted Roses
I hope you had a magical Christmas and Hanukkah week, filled with joy and warmth! Here on the farm, I had a cozy celebration with family. Despite battling a cold (ugh), I still enjoyed the magic of Santa's annual visit to my house. Hopefully, Santa brought you something special for your garden—or maybe even a Menagerie Gift Card to snag some rose plants in 2025! Can you believe it's the final week of December? As the month winds down, we're wrapping up our focus on Bare Root Rose Planning wit...
News Vol 7: Pre-Cooled Tulip Planting 101
While it may not be a traditional holiday activity, planting tulip bulbs during Thanksgiving week has become a beloved tradition in my family. It serves as a gift for our future spring selves and a delightful bonding experience with the kids and any visiting relatives. We get everyone involved in the planting process! I love sending guests home with a planted pot of tulips as a keepsake of their holiday adventures at the farm.