A Guide to the Explorer Series Roses - The Toughest Roses for Your Garden
Roses are a timeless classic in any garden. However, they can be intimidating for new gardeners and challenging to maintain in harsh climates. That's where the Explorer Series roses come in. Bred by Canadian botanical icon Dr. Felicitas Svejda, these roses are known for their rugged durability and ability to withstand harsh Canadian winters. With 25 cultivars to choose from, there's an Explorer rose perfect for any garden. In this blog post, we'll dive into the history of the Explorer Series, their characteristics, and how they can be the perfect addition to your garden.
Roses.
Beautiful, elegant, and intimidating.
The rose is the hallmark of a great gardener. Everybody wants one, but sometimes they can be overwhelming. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just getting started with roses, let the Explorers show you the way!
Roses are among the most popular and revered flowers in the world, but many gardeners can be intimidated by their upkeep and maintenance. However, the Explorer Series of roses offers a hardy and durable option for those who want to add these elegant blooms to their garden. Developed by renowned Canadian botanist Dr. Felicitas Svejda in the 1960s, the Explorer Series of roses can withstand harsh winter conditions, poor soil quality, pests, and disease. In this post, we'll explore the history and characteristics of these hardy roses and provide tips for growing and maintaining them.
Discover the Explorer Series
The History of Explorer Series Roses
In 1886, Agriculture Canada established the Central Experimental Farm program in Ottawa, Ontario and L'Assomption, Quebec. In the 1960s, world-renowned scientist and Canadian botanical icon Dr. Felicitas Svejda bred the first of her Explorer roses. Choosing to name the roses after famous intrepid wayfarers, she highlighted the rugged and durable characteristics of the roses. The Explorers are known to withstand winter temperatures in excess of -35 degrees Celsius with only snow cover as protection. Tolerant of poor soils, pests, and disease, the Explorer Series of roses are the absolute toughest of roses.
Characteristics of Explorer Series Roses
The Explorer Series of roses is known for its resilience and adaptability. With 25 cultivars to choose from, there is a rose for every garden. Whether you prefer the fragrant 'John Davis,' the sprawling climber 'William Baffin,' or the dwarf shrub 'Henry Hudson,' you can find the perfect match for your garden. In addition to their ability to thrive in harsh winter conditions, Explorer roses are also tolerant of poor soil quality, pests, and disease.
Growing and Maintaining Explorer Series Roses
When planting Explorer Series roses, choose a location with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. Water deeply and regularly, especially during the growing season, and use a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth and bloom. Prune the roses in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood and promote new growth. Insects and diseases are rarely a problem with Explorer roses, but if necessary, treat them with an insecticide or fungicide specifically designed for roses.
With 25 cultivars, options of size, fragrance, and colour are plentiful. From the pinkish-white dwarf shrub 'Henry Hudson' to the red sprawling climber 'William Baffin' or the fragrant 'John Davis', there is an explorer waiting to become a point of interest on your garden map. Shop our selection of Explorer roses and start a new adventure today!
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