Description of the Graham Thomas rose variety, planting and care, pruning and propagation

The rose is the favorite flower of millions of people; there are more than three thousand varieties of roses. Roses of English varieties are especially magnificent, and therefore I would like to consider in detail the features of growing the Graham Thomas rose variety.

The history of the Graham rose

This variety appeared in England in 1983 thanks to the efforts of the famous breeder David Austin, who crossed two incredible varieties of roses - Iceberg and Charles Austin. Graham Thomas was a close friend and colleague of Austin, and the new plant variety was named in his honor. This flower was first presented at an exhibition in Chelsea, at that time the English rose Graham received a clear varietal leadership among the already known types of roses.

Main features and disadvantages of culture

A distinctive feature of this variety can rightfully be called chic terry buds, which have an incomparable subtle fruity aroma, which is especially intense in cloudy weather. The color saturation of the buds, as well as the height of the bush, depends on the climatic conditions where the rose grows.

With proper care, the gardener will admire the wildly blooming rose almost all summer. It is worth noting that the plant has good immunity to diseases and is rarely affected by pests.

Another advantage of the Graham Thomas variety is that the shrub feels great and blooms luxuriantly in partial shade, unlike many other varieties of roses.

There are not many disadvantages to this plant. The main disadvantage of this variety is the uniformity of the color scheme, but this does not prevent it from being in demand among professionals and amateur gardeners. This plant variety is also quite widely used in the landscape design of city parks and squares.

general information

Graham Thomas rose bushes are an incomparable decoration of any garden or front garden. They are very unpretentious, but this feature does not relieve the gardener of responsibility for proper and high-quality care of the plant.

External description of the bush

• The branched bush occupies an area of ​​about a meter, and the plant reaches a height of 5 meters.
• Its inflorescences consist of 8 yellow flowers, each of which reaches 8-10 cm in diameter and has about 80 delicate petals protecting the center of the bud.
• The leaves of the plant have a rich dark green color.

Budding and flowering

With proper care, the Graham Thomas rose blooms continuously throughout the season. Its buds of various yellow shades open one after another, constantly maintaining the splendor of the inflorescences. Due to the fact that flowers often fade in the bright sun, sometimes it seems that the bush is filled with buds of different colors. They exude a very delicate, sweet aroma containing fruity notes.

Conditions for growing the variety

Lighting and location

The Graham Thomas variety grows quite well in areas located in full sun and partial shade areas of the garden. However, in any case, the plant needs to stay in the open sun for at least 6 hours a day, so when choosing a planting site, this feature should not be ignored.

Separately, I would like to note that the seat should be well ventilated. In a well-lit area, the bush will not grow tall, but will bloom profusely. And in a shady place a tall plant with sparse and small flowers will grow.

Temperature and humidity

A temperate climate is perfect for this rose variety. It feels great at a temperature of 26-28 degrees and survives the winter cold quite well, so the Graham Thomas rose variety is considered less demanding in terms of temperature, unlike many other varieties of roses.

However, roses have very serious requirements for soil moisture.Like all roses, this variety is very drought tolerant, so the slightest oversight in this area can cost the grower the loss of the plant. It is necessary to water the bush moderately as the soil dries out, but it is also worth remembering that the plant is susceptible to fungal diseases that can appear due to waterlogging of the soil.

Consequently, excess moisture can destroy a rose as well as drought.

Drafts and frosts

Perhaps more than one garden plant does not like drafts. And rose is no exception. She needs a ventilated place, but protected from strong gusts of wind. The plant survives frosts quite easily, provided that the root area of ​​the bush is first covered.

Required soil composition

Unlike some other growing conditions, the soil for the Graham Thomas rose has one of the most important meanings. It requires light, fertile soil that allows moisture and air to pass through. You can fertilize unsuitable soil with humus, peat, compost and sand.

The acidity level of the soil is also important. Rose loves slightly acidic soil. In order to create the required level of acidity, you can add manure and peat, and in case of excess acid, you should add chalk, limestone and ash.

Preparation and planting of seedlings

Optimal time for planting rose seedlings is considered spring, however, plants planted in autumn will take root no less successfully. In order for the seedling to survive planting safely, it must be prepared in advance. The plant seedling must be kept in the root-forming composition for at least two days, after which it can be planted in a previously prepared hole. It is done in accordance with the 50 cm rule, which means that the depth, width and distance between the seedlings should be 50 cm.

The planting holes must be well moistened; for this it is recommended to pour at least one bucket of water into each. After this, you can begin planting rose seedlings. Very carefully straighten the roots and lower the seedling into the hole, sprinkle it with earth just above the grafting bud and compact the soil well. Hilling and first watering of a young bush must be done one day after planting.

Variety care

Since the Graham Thomas variety is of English origin, it must be cared for in a timely manner, according to established rules, one might say, with English pedantry. If you follow the recommendations for plant care, your rose will be a healthy, beautiful, lush flowering bush that will delight you all summer.

Irrigation

As you know, roses will not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, so you should develop a specific schedule for watering the plant, based on the condition of the soil around the bush. It is necessary to water the rose after the top layer of soil has dried.

Fertilizer application

Always follow the principle “it is better to underfeed than to overfeed.” In order for buds to appear on young bushes, it is necessary to add fertilizers containing calcium and phosphorus to the soil..

It is recommended to do this during the active growing season of seedlings. And before the onset of cold weather, it is worth feeding the plants with potassium, this will help them survive the winter safely.

Trimming

The procedure of pruning a bush does not carry any vital functions for the plant. It is rather decorative in nature. You can shape the bush as you wish; there are no specific rules for the pruning procedure.However, do not forget to promptly remove faded buds and diseased branches to prevent further damage to the plant.

Protection from diseases and pests

As mentioned earlier, an excess of moisture in the soil leads to the disease of Graham Thomas rose bushes with fungal infections. Among them are gray rot, powdery mildew and black spot. If you notice symptoms of these lesions on your plants, you must urgently remove the affected parts of the bush and treat them with disinfectant solutions - Fitosporin, Gamair or Alirin. In order to prevent these troubles, it is important to have good drainage in the soil.

Among the insect pests that actively damage shrubs are spider mites, aphids and leafhoppers. To prevent the appearance of these pests, you can treat plants with a solution of laundry soap - it is completely harmless and actively repels insects.

Shelter for the winter

Despite the fact that the Graham Thomas variety is considered one of the most frost-resistant, it is still worth taking care of its shelter. First you need to cut the bush short, leaving only the base with a few buds. Next, dig the bush with sand or earth, and insulate it on top with a layer of foliage or sawdust.

If the climate in which the rose grows is harsh, you can also cover the top of the bush with film or special covering material.

Features of reproduction

The main methods of rose propagation are cuttings and propagation by layering. For cuttings, it is important to choose strong branches with at least 3 leaves. When planting a cutting in the ground, you must follow the planting rules given above.

The method of propagation by layering is more interesting and effective.The tip of strong young shoots is cut off and a small stick or match is inserted. Next, the stem is attached to the ground, dug in well and watered abundantly. It is best to propagate roses in mid-summer.

Reviews about the variety

The Graham Thomas variety is loved by gardeners in Russia and many other countries for its sophistication, sophistication, durability and nobility. At the same time, it is not very demanding on growing conditions and can decorate any garden or park area. Even novice flower growers can grow a flower; it is only important to apply love and patience.

Veronika Gosteva, 32 years old, Saratov.

Good afternoon I have been breeding bush roses for 5 years. I love the Graham Thomas variety for its unpretentiousness and vigorous flowering throughout the summer season. In the first year after planting, there were difficulties in preparing the bush for winter. I overdid it with insulation and one bush fell under the covering material. In all other respects, no problems. This variety of bush rose only pleases with its beauty!

Olga Martynova, 46 years old, Penza.

Hello! I advise everyone to plant this flower on their property! There are no problems with care, and there are more than enough positive emotions from its appearance!