Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/10/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Carefree Delight Shrub Rose Lives Up to Its Name
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
From a horticulturist's perspective, I believe there is a perfect plant for nearly every landscape situation or problem. For example, a hillside or slope that may be too steep to mow can be planted with daylilies or other plants that have extensive roots systems that will prevent soil erosion and look nice. There is an appropriate tree, shrub, or vine suitable for nearly any location to provide privacy or block an unattractive view.
This week's Reiman's Pick - Carefree Delight rose - provides a beautiful and effective solution to many landscape challenges. For example, new homeowners may need a barrier in front of large basement egress window openings to prevent people, especially children, from falling or crawling down into it. They need something that will not only hide the window well, but deter anyone from going near it. Carefree Delight rose is a perfect solution to this problem on the sunny south or west sides of a home because it is the appropriate height, flowers profusely and has numerous sharp thorns that seem to reach out and grab anyone who gets too close.
From a distance, Carefree Delight appears to be a mound of pink in mid-summer. The single flowers are about 1.5 to 2 inches across and are clustered together on short stems. They are bold pink in color with a white center and yellow stamens.
Carefree Delight is classified as a landscape or shrub rose. It grows quickly to three feet tall and five feet wide. The arching canes have small, dark green and glossy leaves that are quite resistance to rose diseases, such as black spot.
After the first flush of bloom fades, prune them back a few inches below the clusters to a five-leaflet leaf. Be sure to wear thick gloves and long sleeves. The thorns are sharp and seem to cling to anything, particularly skin. Cut back canes that are arching into the lawn or seem to grow straight up. It won't be long and the plant will be blooming again and care free for the rest of the season. Don't prune these late flower clusters. They will form "hips," or fruit, and the canes will harden-off in preparation for winter. Carefree Delight will survive Iowa winters without the need for protection. In severe winters, the tips of the canes may die-back a few inches, but this won't affect the overall health of the plant.
Prune shrub roses each spring before they begin to leaf. Don't be afraid to cut them back to about 1/3 their height. They will grow vigorously and soon be blooming prolifically.
Carefree Delight rose was developed in Europe by the Meilland family. This large, family-owned company has been breeding exquisite roses in France since 1930. They have introduced well-known varieties such as Peace and Bonica. Carefree Delight became one of their most popular varieties when it was selected as an "All-America Rose Selections" (AARS) winner in 1995.
It is a prestigious honor for a rose to be recognized by AARS because the roses are put through an extensive two-year trial program where they are grown and evaluated in 26 designated AARS rose gardens throughout the United States. The plants are judged on many characteristics, from disease-resistance to flower production, as well as color and fragrance. Carefree Delight passed the test and came out a winner.
Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University is a trial and display garden for AARS where Carefree Delight is blooming along with many other award-winning roses. Surely there is a place in your garden or landscape for Carefree Delight where it will make a beautiful background plant, focal point or a low-growing hedge.
-30-
|
Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 616K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 364K. Caption: Carefree Delight shrub rose 1 |
 |
| Caption: Carefree Delight shrub rose 2 |  |
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.