Earth-Kind® Roses – The Sustainable Choice for your Landscape & Garden continued
Earth-Kind® roses were the grand prize winners in what was the equivalent of the television show ‘Survival’ for roses --no fertilizer, no spraying with fungicides or insecticides, no additional watering after being established, no pruning.
Earth-Kind® met the goal of this research-- roses that are “as organic as the science will support,” requiring little maintenance, and needing treatment with store bought pesticides or fertilizer only when all other methods fail. The success of the project has been overwhelming.
- Prove to be most compatible with organic growing methods
- Produce outstanding blossoms and fragrance
- Grow in diverse regions and climate zones
- Tolerate the most punishing heat conditions
- Reduce the need for watering by 70%
- Reduce pesticide and fungicide applications by 95%
- Are able to thrive in the most difficult of soils
It’s hard to believe, but the roses that passed the Earth-Kind® test were so heat and drought tolerant that the 11 cultivars which first received the designation survived and thrived in their second growing season through a 67 day drought and temperatures that were 100 degrees or more.
The report stated that the only effect noticed were blooms that were reduced in size.
There are very few cultivation issues when it comes to Earth-Kind® roses. The few important considerations are:
- While nearly perfect, Earth-Kind® roses are not completely free of problems, but their tolerance is amazing.
- If you don’t mind a few leaves falling upon occasion then pesticides and fungicides are, for the most part, a thing of the past.
- While Earth-Kind® will grow in poor or clay soil, they do best when that soil is amended.
- Lastly, good cultural practices, such as enough sun and proper watering techniques will ensure long life and beauty you’re your roses.
When it comes to beauty, ease of growing, low maintenance and being Earth-Kind® you can’t find a better choice in roses.
To see all the varieties that have earned the designation Earth-Kind® visit Earth Kind Roses
Sources:
Texas A&M University
National Earth Kind Rose Field Trials Experimental Design
Go Texan Earth Kind Landscape Roses
For a PowerPoint presentation on the research:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/roses/media/EKRoses.ppt
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