Tree roses are more properly called Rose Standards – a term believed to come from Victorian Europe when
such techniques were commonly used in the rose gardens of nobles. Typically, the central cane, onto which
the hybrid rose is grafted, is 32 - 36 in. (~ 1m) long. (Miniature rose standards may be grafted onto shorter
canes of about 24 in. These are sometimes marketed as "patio tree roses.")
A graft is made to a rootstock at the bottom of the central cane. Another graft is made at the top of the
cane to form the hybrid. The central cane (or "standard") is usually supported by a stake.
I have grown and installed many rose standards in the last 40-plus years, but quite frankly, they tend to
be more trouble than they’re worth in my opinion.
Here in the South, we must not only concern ourselves with the normal pests and diseases found among roses,
we must also worry about strong sun and strong, desiccating winds. With standards, "sun scald" on canes
is a very serious problem. (We typically tie the support stake on the south side of the cane to help shade
it from our summer sun.)
In winter, we commonly cover our modern rose bud unions with mulch to protect them during "hard" freezes.
With a rose standard, this is almost impossible unless a wire cage is created around the rose and filled
with mulch or leaves during the coldest portions of winter. The alternative in northern zones is to partially
uproot the rose, and lay it into a trench dug alongside the plant. The trench is subsequently filled with
soil and mulch. Any time you uproot a rose, you impede its growth and place it under stress. When roses
undergo stress, diseases and pests are soon to follow… meaning more pesticides and more work.
Pruning is also more important when growing rose standards. (As you might expect, pruning is always
important when changing the natural form of any plant or tree.) Improperly pruning standards not only
exacerbates pests and diseases (as it does with any rose), it may also create "too much top and not enough
bottom" – thereby snapping or cracking the central cane. On some hybrids, it may be necessary to provide
two or three support stakes until such time as the central cane becomes thick enough to support the weight
of the grafted rose.
All of that said, rose standards can make a wonderful addition to the garden. If you are willing to spend
the time with them, they can add not only color but also structure and height to your garden as well.
By Mark Whitelaw, Kindly Provided by Laura Whitelaw
Fair trade roses for Valentine's Day. Watch the video about equator rose farmers. With an elevation nearing 10,000 feet, the country's proximity to the sun and cool nights provide perfect growing conditions for long, straight roses…
Pruning is also more important when growing rose standards. (As you might expect, pruning is always
important when changing the natural form of any plant or tree.) Improperly pruning standards not only
exacerbates pests and diseases (as it does with any rose), it may also create "too much top and not enough
bottom" – thereby snapping or cracking the central cane. On some hybrids, it may be necessary to provide
two or three support stakes until such time as the central cane becomes thick enough to support the weight
of the grafted rose.
