In the Master Gardener's Rose Cycle, July is when we fertilize lightly with organic products if needed. Deadheading continues and pruning of crossing branches or dying canes are a must. We also monitor our irrigation systems for the proper amount of water provided. Not checking the system can waste a lot of water and allow diseased leaves to stay under the bushes, meaning more work for you later.

This time of year is great for seeing which rose bushes are stars in your garden, which ones are doing great and look happy and which ones are not. Shape the bushes into a vase like form that opens up the inside of the plant. You can look down into the center of the bush and see the ground below. The canes and stems should be growing outwards. If you look into the center from the top, it resembles a vase or large bowl formed by the canes, leaves and blossoms.

One of the other types of roses in the garden are standard, or tree roses. They have a single tall stem, topped with the leaves and blossoms. It typically grows from 6' up to 8'. When it is shaped correctly it looks like what is commonly called a “lollipop” shape. This rose starts out as a bush and the rosarian will pick the strongest cane and let it grow tall. When it gets to a standard height, 3'- 4', the top will be cut off. It will then be grafted with 4-5 canes from the rose bush the rosarian has chosen to display.

Rose of the Month: Sun Sprite

Sun Sprite, also known as the Friesia rose came to us from Germany in 1977. It is a floribunda from Friedrich Worlein & Spanish Sun parentage. It has a strong, sweet scent and it blooms constantly in single blooms or clusters of about 3.1 inches. It won awards in 1972, '73, and '79 at various events and continues to be very popular and hardy.

It is a mid-yellow color with a darker yellow on the backs of the petals, and holds its color well. It has dark green, glossy leaves that are resistant to disease. It grows well in hot and cool weather with a tolerance for rain. It is a great rose for a bedding arrangement. To me it is a happy rose.

The Sun Sprite is blooming now in the Fuller Park Rose Garden as a standard bush. Come and see this happy and bright rose in bloom. 

Remember to toss rose plant debris into your city compost bin and not your own compost pile. The Napa city compost center produces higher temperatures that destroys pathogens while your backyard pile will not. When it comes to adding mulch, consider getting it from the Napa recycling center.

If you have questions about the Fuller Park Rose Garden and the Master Gardeners who maintain that Rose Garden, MGs are usually in the garden the first Sunday and third Thursday of each month between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., weather permitting.

You can also go to our Master Gardener website: napamg.ucanr.edu for more details.

Iinformation about the Sun Sprite rose sourced from The American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses, 2003.

Photo credits: Bob Niklewicz

Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143.  Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.