Rose questions

5 years ago

Hello. I just purchased a townhouse and I need some advice on Roses. It’s late June and it’s obvious this rose bush was never cared for properly. What should I do with it? Is it too late to cut back or prune? How much should I cut out? Also there seems to be an evasive mint leaf weed of some kind that is taking over the area. What should I use to combat this? Lastly can anyone tell what type of rose bush this is?

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Nippstress Nebraska z5

5 years ago

I agree with folks that this looks like Dr. Huey, a dark red once-blooming rose that is used as an understock for more desirable roses. Some people leave it to bloom for the dark red color and it's a real survivor, but it gets tall and lanky regardless of what you do to it, and blackspots badly later in the summer. It's not a particularly attractive rose and you'd be advised to dig it out. Bear in mind that it has very deep roots usually so this will require a lot of digging.

Given the weeds that you also have in this area, that sounds like your best solution. The rose isn't something that's going to look particularly nice even with babying, so I'd recommend you put your efforts into taking it out and replacing it with something else that you like once you are sure the weeds are taken care of. You might need several rounds of digging, plastic covering and/or spraying to get rid of the weeds if that is indeed mint, since mint is notorious for spreading rampantly once it is established.

Hope that helps

Cynthia

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Comments (8)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hard to say from this distance but it looks like the graft has died and only the understock remains.

tj
cecily 7A
5 years ago
compare to Dr Huey
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Dan Hunt
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you Cynthia! This was SOOO helpful!!! I now have a plan thanks to you. I was on the fence with removing but you cleared things up nicely. Once again, many thanks!
Nippstress Nebraska z5
5 years ago
Happy to help!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
and whatever you plan there.. understand the a/c unit should have a lot of free space for air movement.. so do not go planting some shrub that will cover it up in a year or two ...

if you want thoughts on what to replant... start a new post after its all clear.. include big city name.. soil type.. hours of sun.. etc ....

and if you care to confirm the suggested ID.. it would be better with a pic that actually shows the flowers in some detail ... it wont bite.. you can get closer... lol ...

and call miss dig.. and have all your utilities marked.. and take pix for the future... so you dont go digging them up ....

ken
Dan Hunt
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Ken!
Dan Hunt
Original Author
5 years ago
This was the culprit. This is the fruits of my labor with just an hours worth of work. Not too bad. The rose bush has a HUGE root and goes very deep. I wasn’t successful in my first attempt to remove. I have to regroup and rethink it. Lol. Any large root removal advice is greatly appreciated.