Content
Climbing rose Elf (Elfe) is part of the climber subgroup. It is characterized by large flowers and creeping stems. A tall plant with long and abundant flowering is grown in all regions of Russia (except for the Far North). Used in ornamental gardening for vertical gardening.
Breeding history
The climbing rose was created at the beginning of the XXI century on the basis of the German rose-growing company "Tantau". The originator of the variety is Hans Jürgen Evers, the founder of the Nostalgic Roses series, in which the Elf is among the top three. The climbing rose has repeatedly won prizes at exhibitions.
Description and characteristics of the Elf rose variety
Frost resistance allows the variety to winter at a temperature of -25 0C without covering the crown. If the indicator is lower, then the stems freeze. This factor affects the abundance of bud formation. With careful warming of the crown, the climbing rose hibernates at -30 0C without much damage.
The Elf variety does not tolerate even slight shading. To reveal its decorative qualities, the plant needs sun throughout the day. Only if this condition is met, the climbing rose blooms profusely and retains the size of the flowers declared in the varietal characteristic. In the shade, lateral shoots stop growing, single buds become small or do not form.
The climbing rose does not tolerate the high humidity of the rainy season. The flowers are saturated with moisture, lose their shape, droop. Budding stops, the bush stops blooming. The climbing rose also has a negative attitude towards constantly wet soil. It should be placed on well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic composition.
What does the climbing Elf variety look like:
- Climbing rose grows in the form of a tall bush. At the age of two, the length of the stems reaches 1.5 m. The next season, the plant stretches to the size declared by the originator - 2–2.5 m. In the South, there are specimens with branches up to 5 m long.
- The width of the crown is 1.5–1.8 m.
- The Elf variety is characterized by intense stem formation. Numerous young shoots grow rapidly from the root. From the middle of summer, buds of the repeated flowering wave are laid on them.
- Perennial lashes of brown color, stiff, thick, with a strong structure, do not break from the wind. Rigid, prickly, wide at the base of the thorns are rare and only on old stems.
- Leaves are glossy, dark green, leathery, with sharp tops. Fixed in 5 pieces on petioles. They do not fall off in autumn, go under the snow without shelter, in early spring their structure and color does not change. They fall asleep after sap flow, when the climbing Elf begins to gain new green mass.
The plant forms its first buds at the age of two years. Flowering is not too plentiful, but not inferior to bush roses.
The full flowering of the variety begins from the third season.
Description of climbing rose Elf (pictured):
- The first appearance of buds begins in June on perennial stems, lasts until mid-July. After a week's break, buds are formed on the shoots of the current year. The cycle lasts until frost.
- Flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences of 3-5 pcs. They rarely grow singly. At the beginning of the season, the buds are larger than at the end.The life cycle of a flower from the moment of blooming is 6-7 days, then it loses its decorative effect, and it is removed from the bush.
- Climbing Elf belongs to the group of densely doubled varieties. The flowers are dense, rounded, 8–10 cm wide. The lower petals of a fully opened bud are curved and form an acute angle.
- The color of the lower part is light green, closer to the center it is cream, the core is light yellow. Over time, green fragments remain only at the base of the petals, the flower burns out and takes on an ivory color.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Elfe climbing rose
The advantages of the variety include:
- long flowering;
- abundant budding;
- early appearance of flowers. The first buds are formed in the second year of the growing season;
- good frost resistance;
- interesting coloring;
- disease resistance;
- standard agricultural techniques.
The disadvantage of the variety is considered poor shade tolerance and intolerance to high humidity.
Reproduction methods
Climber Elf produces seeds that are suitable for propagation. Seedlings are grown from them, and after two years the rose is ready for transplantation. It will bloom only after a few years. The process is effective, but too long, so amateur gardeners do not propagate this variety using seeds.
Most often, the rose is bred in a vegetative way. To obtain layering, last year's stem is fixed to the surface in the spring and covered with soil. Do not allow the soil to dry out, cover for the winter. Climbing rose takes root well with vegetative buds. At the beginning of the season, the plots are planted. They will bloom in a year.
Cuttings are cut from last year's stems when the inflorescences wither on them. The material is placed in a container with soil and left on the site. In the fall, they are lowered into the basement, and in the spring they are planted in open ground. This method is suitable for temperate climates.
In the South, the harvested material is immediately planted in the ground and covered with cut plastic bottles
Growing and care
Tall climbing roses are grown only near fixing structures. The support is installed in the season when the seedling is placed on the site. The Elf rose bush can be distributed on a vertical trellis, create a braided column or pyramid. The climbing variety is ideal for arch cultivation. The rose grows quickly, its stems are periodically fixed in any given direction.
The climbing variety Elf forms a dense bush, so a wide area is allocated for it. There should be good air circulation in the central part of the crown. Climbing rose grows well on loamy soil, does not tolerate stagnant water, does not like drafts.
Care instructions:
- It is necessary to constantly maintain aeration of the soil, to prevent compaction of the upper layer. Weed vegetation should be removed during loosening.
- The rose is mulched with compost mixed with peat. This prevents the soil from drying out quickly and stops the growth of grass.
- Cut the flowers after they wilt.
- Watering frequency depends on rainfall. In the dry season, the rose needs about 30 liters of water per week.
The main condition for full growth is feeding. Climbing rose responds well to the introduction of humus, compost, mullein. Additionally, in the spring, fertilize with nitrogen. Potassium and phosphorus are used during flowering. In the fall, a complex composition is chosen, which does not include nitrogen.
The Elf variety is prepared for wintering only in regions with a cold climate. In the subtropics, a climbing rose does not need preparatory measures:
- The plant is mulched with compost, straw or dry leaves are poured on top.
- Remove the rose from the structure, cut off the lashes older than three years.
- The crown is laid on a straw or leaf bedding and covered with spunbond. You can set low arcs over the bush and stretch the burlap.
Pests and diseases of the climbing rose Elf
The Elf variety is quite resistant to infection.Climbing rose requires mandatory exposure to the sun, so a fungal infection does not threaten it. In the cold and wet season, black spotting is possible. If the plant is treated with Fitosporin in the spring, then the problem can be avoided.
Of the pests, the leafworm and bronze are parasitic on the rose. The Iskra preparation is effective for eliminating insects.
In the spring, the climbing rose Elf requires preventive treatment with colloidal sulfur.
Application in landscape design
The variety with glossy leaves, dense crown and abundant flowering is suitable for any corner of the garden or site. Growing is possible only with a fixing support, therefore, the climbing rose is used for vertical gardening.
Some of the most common design decisions:
- Summer verandas decorate.
- Decorate flower beds.
- Used for zoning the site.
- Cover up unaesthetic areas.
- They decorate recreation areas.
- Grown on arches
The climbing Elf variety in mass planting harmonizes well with red and pink flowers.
Conclusion
Climbing rose Elf is a Germanic tall variety created for vertical gardening. The plant is characterized by good frost resistance, undemanding care. It grows in any climate, but only in a sunny area. Does not tolerate high humidity and shade. The video shows the Elf climbing rose variety.
Reviews of the climbing rose Elf
