Hybrid Tea Roses - The Contemporary Rose
The contemporary rose, the Hybrid Tea Rose came to be with the union of the Hybrid Perpetual and the Tea Rose. These large stemmed flowers bloom throughout the year. Although their scent’s potency is faint, the rose’s virtue lies with its myriad of petals and its lofty stature. While often referred to as "your basic rose on a stick," these roses are routinely gifted on special occasions.
Hybrid Tea roses look great in any garden. They should be planted alone in rows to make it easier to tend to them. Weed regularly. Space them about two feet apart to ensure steady growth. If you are interested in hybrid teas, plant them this spring and start a new tradition.
While often popular, these roses are sometimes avoided because they have thorns. However, there are many varieties that have no thorns, and are indicated by "smooth" on the label when shopping for these flowers. These thornless varieties are found in every color (except blue).
Hybrid Tea Roses are susceptible to dehydration during hot weather, so require plenty of water, especially if the weather is dry as well as hot. Gardens normally require thorough watering every two weeks, but some gardens require watering every week. Regardless of how often you water your garden, if the ground looks dry and parched, watering is necessary. Placing mulch can help — placed around roses it helps prevents weeds and staves off evaporation, conserving moisture.
Pruning roses should be done while they are dormant in February. First, you will want to cut damaged or dead branches and canes. If you are in a colder climate, all the damaged wood will need to be removed. In the spring, canes that are green with life will be the ones to produce buds. This will occur in the spring. New growth in warmer areas can be promoted by removing existing leaves. The final step to getting ready for spring is eliminate all debris that remains in your garden. Don’t forget to use a high-nitrogen fertilizer in your spring garden as roses begin to grow.
It will take about three years for a Hybrid Tea Rose to reach full height. Each year, regardless of being pruned, the flower will return to this height. The life span of most modern roses, including the Hybrid Tea, is six or seven years. With great care this life span can be extended. Don’t underestimate the importance of sun, as roses need at least six hours a day. The morning sun is a necessary factor for a rose to grow properly. Diseases can be prevented with the extra moisture the morning sun soaks up.