I planted 2 Fourth of July climbers, 1 per side, on an arbor. This will be their third season in the ground and they are only about 2 feet tall. I'm in zone 7a, and they get lots of sun in my back yard. Is this normal behavior for the third year? Do you think they are planning on climbing any time soon?
I'm seriously thinking of moving them elsewhere and trying another set of climbers...perhaps Elie Beauvillain. I know I'm not a patient person, but I'm thinking 3 years aught to see some growth.
This rose is often slow to "take off." Have patience. Mine, which is grafted took several years to come into its own also -- I thought I just had purchased runty plants, but then the next year they "did their thing" and are big climbers now. So leave them be.
Absolutely, I would say. Here in Atlanta, it has few if any problems. There are a couple of leaves with blackspot, but not much. I spray occasionally to keep it healthy as possible, but in my garden (which is rather large) I dont have time to babysit high-maintenance plants. This one gets a little care, and does wonderfully. Throw some fertilizer around it now and then, spray for fungus now and then, and it pays me back with tons of blooms all summer long.
I also grow Pink Perpetue, which does well and blooms repeatedly all summer.
'Fourth of July' appears to perform much better in warm climates, such as the West & South. In the North (Zone 6 & below) it tends to be very slow-growing & stingy-blooming.
Even in California, this is a plant that can take a bit of time to get established. The first year for mine, I could've sworn it was a floribunda, not a climber.
Fourth of July took its time getting established here too. Turnaround time was a bit slow (7 to 8 weeks vs. 6 weeks normal) but flushes were decent. Performance has been excellent in years 5 and 6. Year 7 looks to be the best ever (waiting for buds to open).
I see there are a lot of variations of colour on the blooms in these photos, some nearly completely red, some with a lot of white. What does that depend on? Is it a question of how much sun the rosebush gets, or does each bloom evolve as it ages? Thanks!
Judith, the flecking on Fourth of July is quite variable. The blooms do not change color. Some have much more white, others have much more red. The foliage is wonderful. The effect in the garden is not, uh, under-stated. This photo very accurately captures the color: http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pics.php?l=2.18450&nr=51486
The yellow stamens reflect on the white at the center, giving a deceptive impression of a yellow eye in some digital images.
Thank you for your answer, Cass. It is really a beautiful flower, and I don't normally like flecked blooms ... I sometimes wonder if roses vary slightly according to the country they are sold in. As time goes on too, maybe they vary from the 'original' plant. Just a thought ... Thanks, Judith.
There's certainly no question that roses are affected by rootstock, Judith, and not always for the good. I had heard reports of Fourth of July refusing to grow. I bought my plant own root at a (blush) drug store. It took off and grew 8 foot canes the first summer.
There are theories of rose deterioration that remain unproven. I happen to believe there's more than enough variation in climate, light, soil, cameras, and skill in shooting a complex background to explain the way how differently this rose looks. Many digital CCD's cannot properly process complicated patterned backgrounds. Add to that that the slightest change in color hue throws the red one way or the other.
France is almost arctic compared to southern California where this rose was bred. Think of it as bred in Rabat, Morocco, which has roughly the same latitude as Los Angeles.
Pity I can't put a smiley with a big laugh, Cass!! I like your remark about France being 'arctic'! Well, we do have some cold winters sometimes, where I am at any rate, though the climate is changing and the winters are getting milder on the whole. The summers are hotter than before too (35°C+), but nowhere near like Morocco admittedly. At any rate, I pre-dug the hole this afternoon for the Fourth of July, as the earth was nice and soft today. So I'll get on with ordering one and then I'll be able to see if I'm lucky or not! My favourite photos are those by Peter and Celeste, so I'll keep my fingers crossed! Thanks once again, Judith.
