Can you imagine a rose that when you see its bud and its first petals is salmon-colored and when it fully opens it is crimson red? Well, it’s not a fantasy, it really exists and it’s the Benjamin Britten rose.
But what do you know of her? If you have just met it, and it caught your attention, then we leave you all the information we have found about it as well as the care you need to give it to have it in your garden. Don’t miss it!
How is the Benjamin Britten rose
As far as we know, the Benjamin Britten rose was created by British artist David Austin. He managed to release this cultivar in 2001 by crossing a Charles Austin rose with a seedling. Thus, a bushy rose bush with a height of up to 120 centimeters appeared. Its leaves and stems are dark green and rather dull.
But what stands out most and where spectacular reach can be found is in its flowers. These start out orange, but as the rose opens up it changes color to a deeper red. In total, they are composed of about 41 petals and the average diameter is quite large compared to other roses (we are talking about 2.25″).
It usually blooms in small groups, and the bush has a crown shape, with which it will have an almost bare trunk (or several) so that in the crown it can have branches, leaves and flowers. And as for the aroma, you know it is very intense. Those who appreciate it consider it a fruity fragrance combined with pear and wine.
Since 2001, the rose has evolved and spread all over the world. That is why today it is quite easy to find it in stores, especially online. Now we must warn you that the price may not be as cheap as with other more common roses. Therefore, if you are planning to buy one It is practical that you know what are the most important cares so as not to die.
Rose care Benjamin Britten
Owning a Benjamin Britten rose is not difficult. Take care of him without knowing anything about him can be. Therefore, to prevent it from dying or having problems so that it thrives, here we are going to tell you what the most important care is and how you should provide it. Go for it?
location and temperature
Like other roses, the Benjamin Britten rose needs direct sunlight. That’s to say, it will have to be put in the sun for it to develop, grow and flower properly. If you buy it thinking it can be fitted indoors, we have to tell you that it is not. You can put it on a balcony, on a terrace, but always in places where it has a minimum of 8 hours of direct light. That is why it is better to plant it (either in a pot or in the open ground) in a place where it is almost all day with sunlight.
As for the temperature, it is a rose that tolerates heat very well, but also cold. Although the frost does not take too well and sometimes it is necessary to protect it (not only in the branches, but also in the roots, with a protective net that keeps the heat in the ground.
Substrate
The soil that the rose will need will be one that has good drainage and also maintains moisture. Therefore, a mixture of universal substrate, earthworm humus (or similar) and sand, expanded clay or perlite can be a good combination.
Of course, if you are going to transplant it, either in the months of March to May, or September to November. If you also include some compost, all the better because you’ll give him an extra subscriber that won’t hurt.
Irrigation
Irrigation of the Benjamin Britten rose bush is moderate. This means that as a general rule it will be watered every 1-2 days in the summer (depending on the heat) while in the fall and winter a few times a week will be more than enough (less if you have high humidity where you live).
Subscriber
During the spring and summer months, it is good for you to add a little rose fertilizer at least once every two months. Start with a medium dose, work your way up to mid-summer, then work your way back down. This way you won’t over-fertilize or wear out the plant.
Size
Pruning usually takes place in several phases. The training session takes place in January or February and consists of pruning the branches according to the shape you want to give to this rosebush. Besides, you need to remove broken, dead, crossing branches, etc.
On the other hand, you have the maintenance pruning, which you must do all year round to eliminate unnecessary flowers or to maintain the shape you have given them.
Plagues and diseases
This particular rose is one of the hardiest, so you won’t have a problem with it. Of course, be careful with lighting and irrigation because you can cause disease without realizing it.
Even so, you have to look there from time to time in search of snails, slugs or spiders that they can weaken the rosebush. As prevention, you should use a product to keep pests away.
Multiplication
If you want to propagate the Benjamin Britten rose, you can do so by cuttings. When you go to prune, select a few that can be used and plant them in a pot with the same care as an adult specimen. They won’t always get ahead, but if they do, you’ll have a new rose bush that will take a few years to flower, but it will be worth the effort.
You already know that all the care must be adapted to the rosebush you have because it will depend on many factors. But if you follow the basics we left for you, you can enjoy the Benjamin Britten rose (and its magical color change) for a long time. Did you know this variety of roses?