Rosa Graham Thomas: variety description, planting and care, wintering and reviews with photos

Rose is the favorite flower of millions of people, there are more than three thousand varieties of roses. Roses of English varieties have a special splendor and therefore I would like to consider in detail the features of growing the Graham Thomas rose variety.

The history of the rose Graham

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 got its name in his honor.For the first time this flower was presented at an exhibition in Chelsea, while the English rose Graham received a clear varietal leadership among already known types of roses.

The main features and disadvantages of culture

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

With proper care, the gardener will admire the rapidly 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.

This plant has few shortcomings. The main disadvantage of this variety can be called the monotony of colors, but this does not prevent it from being in demand among professionals and amateur flower growers. Also, this plant variety is 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 remove the responsibility from the gardener for the correct and high-quality care of the plant.

External description of the bush

• The branchy bush covers an area of about a meter, and the plant rises to a height of 5 meters.
• Its inflorescences consist of 8 yellow flowers, each of which is 8-10 cm in diameter and has about 80 delicate petals that protect 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. Her buds of various yellow shades open one after another, constantly maintaining the splendor of the inflorescences. Due to the fact that the 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, fruity aroma.

Variety growing conditions

Light and location

Graham Thomas grows quite well in areas located in the open 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 this feature should not be ignored when choosing a landing site.

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 rare and small flowers will grow.

Temperature and humidity

Temperate climate is perfect for this variety of rose. She 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 whimsical to the temperature regime, unlike many other varieties of roses.

However, the rose makes very serious demands on 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 prone to fungal diseases that may appear due to waterlogging of the soil.

Consequently, excessive moisture can kill a rose as well as drought.

Drafts and frosts

Drafts do not like, perhaps, more than one garden plant. And the rose is no exception. She needs a ventilated place, but protected from gusts of strong winds. The plant survives frosts quite easily, provided that the root region of the bush is previously covered.

Required soil composition

Unlike some other growing conditions, soil for Graham Thomas roses is one of the most important. It requires light, fertile, moisture and air permeable soil. You can fertilize unsuitable soil with humus, peat, compost and sand.

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

Preparing and planting seedlings

Spring is considered the best time for planting rose seedlings, but 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 seedling of the plant 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 made in accordance with the 50 cm rule, which means that the depth, width and distance between seedlings should be 50 cm.

Planting holes should be well moistened, for this it is recommended to pour at least one bucket of water into each. After that, you can start planting rose seedlings. Spread the roots very carefully and lower the seedling into the hole, sprinkle it with earth just above the grafting bud and tamp the earth well. Hilling and the first watering of a young bush must be done one day after planting.

Variety care

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

Irrigation

As you know, the rose will not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, so you should develop a specific schedule for watering the plant, based on the state of the soil around the bush. Watering the rose is necessary after the topsoil has dried.

Fertilization

Always be guided by the principle "it is better to underfeed than 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 to winter safely.

Cutting

The procedure for pruning a bush does not carry any vital functions for the plant. It is more of a decorative character. You can form a bush as you wish, there are no specific rules for the pruning procedure. However, do not forget to remove faded buds and diseased branches in a timely manner 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 the symptoms of these lesions on your plants, you must urgently remove the affected parts of the bush and treat with disinfectant solutions - Fitosporin, Gamair or Alirin.In order to prevent these troubles, it is important to have good drainage in the soil.

Among pests that actively damage shrubs, there are spider mites, aphids and leafhoppers. To prevent the appearance of these pests, plants can be treated 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 with a layer of foliage or sawdust on top.

In the event that the climate in which the rose grows is distinguished by its severity, you can still cover the bush from above with a 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 be guided by the planting rules given above.

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

Reviews about the variety

Graham Thomas variety is loved by gardeners in Russia and many other countries for its sophistication, refinement, durability and nobility. At the same time, it is not very demanding on growing conditions and is able to 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 spray roses for 5 years. I love the Graham Thomas variety for its unpretentiousness and rapid 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 sprayed under the covering material. In all other respects - no problem. This variety of spray roses only pleases with beauty!

Olga Martynova, 46, Penza.

Hello! I advise everyone to plant this flower on the site! There are no problems in care, and there are more than enough positive emotions from his appearance!

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