Q: How do I look after antique roses?
A: Plant only winter-hardy varieties (suggestions: Alba, Centifolia, Galli( and Damask) to start. Plant them in well drained fertile soil with at le~ six hours of sun (Alba will tolerate very light shade). Feed them well spring, prune off all dead and diseased branches, water deeply then mulch during any early summer dry spell. Prune off the top third after bloom Hand pick any pests or spray them with insecticidal soap only if absolutely necessary. Give them a bit of mulch around their roots in late fall for t first year or two and then simply enjoy. Other antique roses are not hardy in southern Ontario and will require the same care as modern Hybrid roses.
