The Orchidaceae family is the largest family of flowering plants, with up to 880 genera and over 26 thousand recognized species. Several hundred of them belong to unusual and rare species, many of which are on the verge of extinction.
These plants have an extravagant appearance and colors, some of them are ubiquitous in nature, others are endemic.
Among the rare orchids, the most beautiful are those with unique flower shapes. There are also varieties that are distinguished by the rare color of their petals.
Features of the Ballerina rose
Rose Ballerina red is distinguished by pale pink flowers, in the middle of which a white spot is clearly visible. In the sun it can burn white, the buds are pointed, one inflorescence contains from 15 to 100 flowers. The smell is barely perceptible, the bush grows up to one and a half meters, can be spreading, but is always neat. It blooms long and intensely, a second wave of flowering is possible, but only if proper pruning is done in time after the rose blooms for the first time in the summer.
Despite its simplicity and external simplicity, this rose enjoys the well-deserved love of gardeners - due to the fact that its flowers are small (2.5 cm), but there are a lot of them. It often happens that they outshine the foliage in beauty and abundance. When the bud opens, its color is dark pink, but due to burnout, that same white “eye” gradually appears. After flowering, you can observe the appearance of small orange fruits, and this makes the shrub even more similar to a rose hip.
As for the shape of the bush, everything is simple with it: it should be “allowed” to grow freely, during which it will naturally take on a beautiful spherical shape. It can be maintained by cosmetic pruning in the summer. Since flowers are prone to fading in the sun, it is better to place the seedlings in a place where cool partial shade predominates in the afternoon. Another undoubted advantage of the Ballerina is the rare thorns, which greatly facilitates the process of caring for her.
Description of the rose Ballerina
Ballerina rose bushes are compact in size - the height of well-leafed shoots can be 0.9-1.8 m, and the diameter of the bushes does not exceed 0.8-1.5 m.
Rose Ballerina - photo in the garden
The shoots are erect, with an average number of thorns, and leaves of medium size. The foliage is slightly elongated, with short sharp tips, glossy, rich emerald color.
On a note!
Typically, this variety of roses is not pruned; in this case, adult Ballerina bushes acquire a rounded spherical shape, so they are used as a hedge, as well as for decorating borders.
This variety blooms abundantly, almost continuously, with short breaks between waves.
. Ballerina flowers are small in size, about 5 cm in diameter, collected in racemose inflorescences. The buds are not double, each flower has 5 petals. The petals of the buds are dark pink.
Once opened, they quickly begin to burn out. White spots first form in the center of the flowers, but gradually they become larger. As a result, by the end of flowering, the petals have only a thin edging of pink color around the edges.
The stamens of the opening buds are bright yellow, but gradually they fade, turning brown. After flowering, small and orange fruits appear in place of the buds. One of the disadvantages of the musky hybrid Ballerina is the complete lack of aroma in the blooming buds.
The best varieties of musk rose hybrids
Rose Ballerina is characterized by resistance to changes in weather conditions and high resistance to frost
. In hot climates, gardeners plant this flowering perennial in light partial shade, in which case the flowers fade less.
Planting and caring for rose Ballerina
Rose Ballerina will feel great both as a standard and as a group planting. The main thing is to ensure the correct fit, which consists of a simple algorithm of actions:
- depth and width of the planting hole – 60 cm;
- the soil must be fertile;
- the bottom of the hole is fertilized with sand and peat + a layer of clay, the role of which is to retain moisture in the ground. Ratio: a bucket of sand, and twice as much peat and soil;
- if there is no fertilizer at the time of planting, the bush can be fertilized after some time;
- the hole is prepared a couple of weeks before planting;
- immediately before planting, an earthen mound is placed at the bottom of the hole, which will provide the seedlings with better survival rate.
Musk varieties of roses can be planted using both wet and dry methods. With the dry method, after planting, the bush is simply covered with soil and watered abundantly, while the wet method involves watering even before it is covered with soil. In this way, a kind of massage of the root system is carried out, promoting its further growth.
Despite the fact that the flowers of this rose tend to fade in the sun, the Ballerina loves light very much. It is better if it is in direct sunlight four hours a day. As the buds fade, they should be removed, making sure that the bush is not attacked by insect pests or dangerous diseases. For prevention purposes, periodic use of low-toxic fungicides is recommended.
Shrub pruning should be done starting in spring. In spring, it is usually minimal: only diseased and dried shoots are removed. You should not get carried away with pruning in the spring, as this can lead to a weakening of the vitality of the plant. After this easy manipulation, the bush should be fertilized with ammonium nitrate, in the ratio of one spoon of the substance per 10 liters of clean water. If the spring is rainy, it is recommended to repeat the application of fertilizer after two weeks.
Reproduction of the bush is carried out by cuttings. It is better not to use seeds: they do not inherit “parental” qualities, and cuttings are a proven and always reliable method.
In summer, Ballerina needs regular watering, hilling and drainage measures to avoid rotting of the root system. In the first year after planting, it is especially important to control the soil moisture level: if it is constantly moist, the plant will take root faster and live a long time.
Problems when growing fuchsia, diseases and pests
With insufficient care and non-compliance with the rules of agricultural technology, the plant suffers from various diseases.
| Manifestation | Cause | Corrective measures |
| Curling of leaves. | Fever. | They shade. |
| Falling leaves. | Lack of lighting, low air humidity. | Spray in hot weather. |
| Dropping buds. | Excessive or incomplete watering, lack of light and nutrition. Plant disturbance during the growing season. | Provide the correct watering regime. Do not disturb when buds are pouring. Feed correctly. |
| Flowering is short and small. | The rest period took place in too warm conditions. | Provides coolness during winter. |
| Browning of foliage. | Overmoistening at low temperatures. | Reduce watering. |
| Root rot. | Excessive watering and spraying, stagnation in the pan. | Treated with fungicides (Fitosporin). Reduce watering |
| Covering leaves with white cobwebs. | Spider mite. | Spray with acaricide (Fitoverm) 3-4 times every 7 days. |
| The appearance of white insects. | Whitefly. | Insecticides are used (Aktara, Fufanon). 6-7 times every 3 days. |
Using the Ballerina rose
This unpretentious shrub can be used as park roses, but it will look no less beautiful as a standard beauty. It can also be grown as a ground cover crop that has a large height. This is an ideal option for decorating a flower bed, which will delight you with its soft pink colors all summer long. Ballerina is also used as hedge creations, especially on the tops of fences.
If the garden is small, shoots budded on high trunks will be an alternative solution: they will not take up much space, and any low-growing flowers can be planted below as a drapery. Almost all known annuals and perennials are suitable as a suitable “company” for the rose, but you should not combine it with overly bright, crimson, red and orange species. It is best to plant cool-colored flowers nearby: blue, purple or white.
An unpretentious but luxurious shrub, subject to proper planting and appropriate care, will bloom luxuriantly and profusely every year, making a worthy decoration for any garden plot.
How the Ballerina rose blooms:
Story
In the first decade of the 20th century, the German breeder Lambert developed a new variety of roses. Musk roses have a rich aroma and unusual colors. The first variety bred was named Trier. Lambert's activities were further continued by other breeders - Thomas, as well as husband and wife Bentall. It was the latter who developed the Ballerina variety, which is famous for its graceful bushes. Pemberton also had a hand in the removal. He grew the varieties Cornelia and Penelope. And in Belgium to this day there is a LensRosen nursery, where new varieties are bred.
Peculiarities
The musk rose can be described as follows: small, double, medium-sized flowers, lush bushes, and a rich aroma. You can rarely find these flowers in Russian gardens. And the reason for this is appearance. In this regard, musk roses are inferior to other varieties. Tea varieties look better at first glance, and small double musk roses rarely catch the eye in garden brochures. And in vain - from a distance the bushes look very, very beautiful. And they fit perfectly into natural-style gardens or low-maintenance gardens.
Unlike other varieties, musk roses exude fragrance not from the petals, but from the stamens. This difference allows them to smell fragrant even in cloudy weather. The aroma of the flowers is reminiscent of musk (that's why the flowers got their name). You can also highlight the smells of honey, fruit and cloves. You will be surprised, but one bush will exude a pleasant aroma throughout the entire garden. Even standing far from the bushes you can feel the characteristic smell.
Another difference from the flowers we are used to is that musk roses bloom repeatedly. They can bloom twice in one season. Moreover, the second time there will be no fewer flowers; on the contrary, repeated flowering often occurs more abundantly. Other flowers cannot boast of this - the second bloom is often very modest and is unlikely to please the eye. Flowers simply cover the bush, so they will always attract the attention of guests in your garden. Due to the number of flowers, sometimes the leaves of the plant are not visible. But up close it becomes clear that not all flowers are ideal. But from a distance the bushes look very advantageous, so it is recommended to plant them in the back row of the garden.
In addition to repeated flowering, musk roses have another feature - the flowers bloom almost simultaneously. Also, flowering occurs from top to bottom. Other flowers usually bloom one by one, and there is no such “friendly” flowering. Musk roses can be called continuously blooming - the fact is that the break between flowering is minimal, and the bushes are almost constantly strewn with flowers. And even after a cold winter, the plant will delight gardeners with an abundance of flowers, although other varieties cannot boast of this ability.
With unusual leaves
In addition to the unique shape of flowers, orchids can also have special leaf blades.
Ludisia
Ludisia discolor grows in Asia (China, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, etc.) in wooded areas. Has an ordinary appearance.
It is valued by flower growers only for its leaves with a velvety surface, decorated with red veins. The flowers are of no decorative value; they are too small and pale.
Read about Ludisia precious varieties and home care here.
Makodes
Macodes is a geophyte that is found in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, the Solomon and Ryukyu Islands.
The plant is distinguished by large dark green leaf plates, decorated with light green veins. On each sheet you can see a fancy pattern.
It is quite rare to find a black orchid. Read more about the varieties of this shade here.
Varieties
There are musk rose hybrids that all gardeners should consider.
Ballerina is a variety with pale pink flowers and a white spot in the center. In the sun, the flowers fade to almost white. The buds have a pointed shape. The inflorescence can contain from 15 to 100 small flowers. The aroma is unsaturated, the flowers are not double. Bushes up to 1 meter in size, spreading. Flowering is long and repeated. But it will bloom again only if properly pruned after 1 flowering.
Sanqerhausen - distinguished by elongated buds. The color is bright scarlet, blooms twice per season. Blooms in large inflorescences. The aroma of flowers is not the brightest, but pleasant. The height of the bushes is up to one and a half meters, the leaves are large and leathery.
Schwerin - buds are large, elongated. Blooms dark red. Usually there are 5-8 large flowers in an inflorescence. The bushes are quite spreading.
Mozart - low bushes, up to 1 meter tall. The flowers are pale pink, with darker edges. There is a white spot in the middle of the flower. Flowering is long lasting with a large number of inflorescences. The variety is resistant to frost.
Video “Musk roses”
Landing
Planting musk roses is not a troublesome task. They are planted in autumn, spring or summer. Spring or autumn planting is carried out if the root system of the flower is closed. In summer, plants with an open root system are planted.
Experienced gardeners resort to autumn planting. If everything is done correctly, the plant will bloom next year along with previously planted flowers. But you need to choose the right weather for landing. If you plant a rose early, then without proper cold weather the flower will bloom and may freeze over the winter. And if you plant it too late, the bush may not have time to take root and will also die from frost.
Even an inexperienced gardener can handle spring and summer planting. But you will have to wait a whole season before the musk rose blooms.
Choose a moderately sunny place, although musk roses grow well in the shade. It is better to plant them at a distance or against a wall. This makes the flower look more attractive in the garden.
- You need to dig a hole 60 cm deep. The width and depth of the hole are similar. Although roses are unpretentious to the soil, they will bloom more luxuriantly in fertile soil;
- Next, you should place fertilizer, sand and peat at the bottom of the hole. It will be useful to lay out a layer of clay - it will retain water in the soil. The approximate amount of components is 1 bucket of sand, 2 times more peat and soil. If suddenly you don’t have fertilizers on hand, you can plant roses in ordinary soil and fertilize them later, as the flower grows;
- The hole should be dug in advance, several weeks before planting. Or dig up and plant immediately, but in this case the soil should be well compacted. This is done so that the flower does not fall through;
- At the bottom of the hole, make a mound for the roots, so the flower will take root better.
Musk roses are planted in 2 ways: wet and dry.
Dry method: a seedling is planted, then it is covered with earth. After this, watering is carried out.
Wet method: plant a seedling and immediately water it. The earth turns into a liquid substance, which has a great effect on the roots of the flower. Afterwards the roots are covered with earth.
Caring for musk roses is very simple.
In spring - light pruning. It is best to carry out minimal pruning, removing only damaged areas. In total, you can cut no more than a third of the bush. With more intensive pruning, the plant may wither and stop blooming.
After pruning, it will be useful to fertilize the bushes. To do this, take ammonium nitrate and dilute it in the proportion of 1 spoon of fertilizer per 10 liters of water. If the season is rainy, you can repeat the fertilization after a couple of weeks. You can re-use it like ammonium nitrate, or take mineral fertilizer in the same proportion.
Reproduction
Primrose can be propagated in several ways:
- Dividing the bush.
- By cuttings.
- Seeds.
Important! Planting and dividing plants can be carried out once every 4-5 years.
To replant, you need to dig up the bush with its roots and remove the soil lump. The root system is washed with water and then cut with a sharp knife. The wounds at the site of the cuts should be sprinkled with ash and immediately planted in a new area.
To propagate primrose by cuttings, you need to separate the leaf from the bush along with the bud and part of the stem. The resulting planting material should be planted in the soil, having first shortened the leaf by ½ part.
Primrose from the Ballerina series is a bright way to decorate your garden or home. Caring for the plant is simple, which allows even amateur gardeners to grow a perennial, velvety, lush flower.
Uses of musk roses
Musk rose can play an excellent role in the landscape. They will perfectly decorate the outer rows of your garden. It is from a distance that musk roses look best. They will also add beauty to other flowers in your garden. And if you plant ornamental grasses, then roses together with them will make an excellent composition.
If you want to plant musk roses in the first row, then you should pay attention to the Ballerina variety. This variety has a pleasant spherical shape of the bushes, and will look great up close.
Also, musk roses go well with tea varieties of roses. By planting them nearby, you can create a composition that is pleasing to the eye. Choose either solid colors or, on the contrary, bright contrasting colors.
And by choosing tall varieties, you can place them next to clematis. These flowers have a contrasting color, which will allow musk roses to look great against them.
In conclusion, I would like to note that in our country you can rarely find musk roses in gardens. And in vain - they have a pleasant aroma, roses bloom twice a season and, moreover, quite wildly. Caring for musk roses is not burdensome and even inexperienced gardeners can cope with these wonderful flowers. We hope that musk roses will eventually gain the popularity they truly deserve.
