Have You Heard of Floribundas?

The American Rose Society did not at first accept the term 'floribunda'.  Is a rose that is crossbred a true rose?  I suppose that would be a matter of opinion.  Roses are highly crossbred.  A floribunda could be dubbed the modern rose.  You might think of it as an enhanced rose, bred to bring out the best in a flowering plant.

So, what is a floribunda?  Although many varieties have been developed, a floribunda is a hybrid that was originally a cross between a polyantha and a tea rose.  There was a man who developed many varieties in 1920; his nickname became Papa Floribunda.

This flower is grown mainly for garden color.  The floribunda grows lower, which can be a positive attribute.  Known as a cluster rose, the floribunda tolerates neglect better than any other rose type except shrub roses. A floribunda is a good landscape choice because it can provide an almost nonstop source of color. 

Positive aspects of the floribunda include:  abundant flowers, long-lasting blooms, versatile for landscaping, can be used as a hedge or just to accent the landscape, some have a more intense fragrance than most other roses, and they have a delicate appearance.

Negative aspects include:  not eligible for Queen of Show, need plenty of feeding, fare far better on a regular feeding schedule (be sure to consider this if you are the type of person who forgets to feed your plants or just doesn't have the time to devote to a regular feeding schedule), takes 3 years to reach maturity, has shorter stems, and has a small size.

Floribundas will be healthier with good air circulation; so when pruning, it helps to leave the center of the bush open.  If you have trouble remembering when to prune, prune near a holiday or a special day during the pruning season.  If you leave the older canes when pruning, you are rewarded with larger amounts of color later.  Also, take care to remove a cane that rubs another.  Pruning will aid in air circulation, which helps to cut down on insects and disease as well.

Other things to remember to maintain healthy floribundas that are grown in pots are:  plenty of root space, good drainage, a pot that is heavy enough to sustain against wind should the pot be kept in an area more susceptible to windy conditions, a pot that is wide enough to provide stability. [ A word of caution:  saucers under pots can invite root rot.]

Even in floribundas, chemicals are needed to control problems.  Concentrates must be applied with care so as not to cause leaf burn.

Some interesting names of existing floribundas are:  Playboy, Playgirl, Pure Poetry, Eye Paint, French Lace, Show Biz, Cherish, and Trumpeter.

If you wrap your roses in paper or foil, then plunge them deep into water, it will keep their stems from sagging should you desire to display them. 

The word floribunda alone could be a helpful source of entertainment for a gardening parent.  Give your child a pencil and piece of paper while you garden and ask he/she to see how many words they can make from the letters in the word floribunda!