The potato rose is very robust and undemanding. However, there are a few things you should consider when planting and caring for them.
Who doesn't know them, the tasty rose hips that adorn the bushes of the potato rose (Rosa rugosa) in autumn. The robust plants come from Asia. An increased occurrence of the s alt-tolerant plants in coastal regions has earned them the nickname Sylter Rose. The vigorous plants are planted more in the dunes and continue to multiply themselves quickly. The potato rose can also be an eye-catcher in the home garden and also represent a practical privacy screen.
The Origin of the Potato Rose
The natural home of the potato rose is in East Asia. There the plant occurs between northern China, Kamchatka and Hokkaido. The Kamchatka Rose populates extensive dune areas and forms extensive dune forests with pine trees.
The potato rose has been cultivated in Germany since the middle of the 19th century. The apple rose was often used as an ornamental plant in parks and settlements. Due to its enormous resilience and frost resistance, it is also often used for greening roads and motorways.
While ornamental value is the main focus in Germany, potato roses are increasingly used for fruit production in Eastern Europe.
| Potato rose (Rosa rugosa) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 10 - 30 cm a year |
| Growth: | 120 - 150 cm |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Root system: | Deep Roots |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | Understood, sandy to humic, acidic to slightly alkaline |
Plant Potato Rose
Find the ideal location
The potato rose prefers a bright and warm location. The plants thrive particularly luxuriantly in full sun. Penumbra is also tolerated. The robust plants will probably not die in a shady location, but they will not be convincing in terms of growth and flowering.
The allotment gardener becomes diverseFind uses for the attractive and easy-care apple rose:
Privacy screenHedge planting
Unique position
Front yard and drivewaysBedding Plant
Natural Garden
Container Plant
Tip: Potato roses go well in a natural garden. Birds and insects use the rich food supply. The rose hips are a favorite food source for birds in the fall and winter.
Select the right substrate
Here the hobby gardener remains flexible. The plants do not make great demands on the soil. The ideal substrate is light and well-drained. Heavy and dense soils are less suitable. These can be made more permeable with peat or compost.
Planting instructions - step by step
Potato roses are preferably planted as a privacy screen or hedge. The dense growth and a growth height of up to 1.5 meters ensure you a bit of privacy in your own garden. When planting hedges, it is important to ensure that the planting distance is appropriate.
Tip: The hedges are preferably planted in two rows. The plants are placed in gaps. Then the hedge will appear fuller later.
If you want to plant the potato rose in a small garden or in a bed, you should note that the plants like to multiply themselves and spread accordingly if they are not stopped.
Proceed as follows for planting:
1. Choose location
2. Prepare soil
3. Dig planting hole
4. Install root barrier
5. Install drainage
6. Insert plant7. Fill up the substrate
8. Slightly pile up the soil around the plant
9. Water the plant
Tip: A root barrier prevents the spread of the potato rose and is helpful when planting beds so that neighboring plants are not pushed out.
What should be considered when planting a hedge of the potato rose?
The dimensions of the desired hedge should be determined in advance so that enough plants can be purchased. All soil must be removed from the specified area. A root barrier should be created so that the hedge shape is retained and no uncontrolled propagation occurs.
As already mentioned, plant in double rows with a gap. A planting distance of about 50 centimeters must be maintained. After the plants have been placed in the ground, the soil should be filled up and lightly mounded around the plants. After planting, the hedge is lightly watered. In any case, waterlogging is allowedavoid.
What should be considered when planting the potato rose in tubs?
Potato roses, planted in tubs, offer attractive pictures on the balcony and terrace. Potted plants are particularly sensitive to waterlogging. It is therefore advisable to place a drainage system made of gravel or potsherds in the bottom of the planter before planting.
Tip: Make sure that there are enough drainage holes for the irrigation water in the planter.
The potato roses can be planted in conventional potting soil. Here, too, the soil around the plant is lightly piled up.
Water and fertilize the potato rose
The potato rose needs water regularly. When watering should not be exaggerated. It is better to water moderately and more often. This prevents waterlogging.
Warning: It applies to all types of roses that they cope better with longer periods of drought than with penetrating moisture, which quickly causes the roots to rot.
Regular fertilization of the potato rose is not a must, because the robust and easy-care plants can also cope with fewer nutrients. Compost ensures lush growth. You can mix this under the substrate immediately when planting.
If this is available, horse manure can also be used. A commercially available alternative is liquid fertilizer for roses. This can be given 14 days apart during the growing season.
An overview of the most important planting and care tips for the potato rose
| Activity | What matters? |
|---|---|
| Select Location | • bright • warm • sunny to semi-shady |
| Prepare the ground | • light • permeable |
| Plant Potato Rose | • Provide rhizome protection • Create drainage to prevent waterlogging • Pile up the soil after planting • Water lightly • Plant spacing 50 centimetres |
| Water the oyster plant | • water regularly • avoid waterlogging • tolerate longer periods of drought |
| Fertilize potato rose | • mineral fertilizer • compost • horse manure • liquid rose fertilizer |
Cutting Potato Rose
In the natural garden, the potato rose impresses with its original wild growth and does not have to be cut. Annual pruning is a good way to get wild roses in shape. Will the shrubs become regularthinned out, they grow dense and lush.
When pruning, pay attention to the following things:
- Spring is the best time to cut back.
- Hedges are to be trimmed.
- Up to five buds are left on strong shoots.
- Weak shoots are cut back to three buds.
To thin out the hedge plants, cut directly above the ground. About three old shoots per plant are removed. As a result, the potato rose will sprout again faster and grow more densely.
Propagating Potato Rose
The plant likes to propagate independently. This occurs through subterranean runners that sprout again on the surface. Anyone who has failed to create a rhizome barrier should not be surprised at the luxuriantly sprouting young plants. The potato rose pays little heed to neighboring plants and has quickly overgrown smaller gardens.
Tip: You can also retrofit a root barrier.
If you want to multiply the potato rose in a targeted manner, you can dig up the root suckers and place the offshoots in the desired place in the ground. Small daughter plants can also be carefully dug up. However, the roots are still attached to the mother plant and must be carefully separated.
Detecting diseases and pests on the potato rose
The potato rose owes its robustness and resilience not least to its leathery foliage. Pest infestation can hardly be detected in the Sylter Rose. The fungal diseases often observed on rose bushes also occur very rarely on the potato rose.
Winter Potato Rose
The plant is hardy. The hobby gardener does not have to take any measures outdoors before the first frost.
Potted plants must be protected from freezing. So that the plant pot does not freeze, you should place it on wood or polystyrene. It also helps to cover the soil with a layer of mulch.