Wednesday, August 5, 2009

BRG Roses Hazel McCallion, Brother Cadfael, Scentimental, Eglantyne, Evelyn : Japanese beetles, Black Spot Fungus Damage -- Beauty and the Beasties


Update JUNE 2010: New pictures of these roses. Update August 2011 Video Japanese Beetles.

It's a tale of The Beauties and The Beasties at the BRG! Japanese beetles, black spot and fungus do damage to the David Austin roses Eglantyne and Evelyn, and to Scentimental (Warning: graphic images of beetles!). But two beauties -- the new Rosa Hazel McCallion and stunning Brother Cadfael -- atone for the beasties.

But first the Japanese beetles . . (Click on image to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this page)

Scentimental Rose Feast for Japanese Beetles

Two black, slightly iridescent Japanese beetles feast on the white and pink fragrant Scentimental rose. Staff and garden volunteers are hand picking these insects and dropping into a bucket of soapy water.

Beetles Dine on Delicate Pink Rose Eglantyne

A volunteer's hand gives scale to the lovely Eglantyne, and the Japanese beetles munching its on heart.

Japanese Beetles Chomping on Rose Bushes with Black Spot

Moving on from the rose flowers, these beetles are busy turning the foliage into lace. Adding insult to rose bush injury, black spot has left its mark on the lower leaves.

Eglantyne Rose Bloom with Japanese Beetles

Now, IMO, these beetles are just being greedy! With so many beetles on one rose blossom, they are very easy to spot. Likely the only way to get all of them is to shake or prune the entire bloom into a bucket of soapy water. Enlarge this image for a close up gross-out :-)

Fungus on Rose Bushes

Brown and yellowing leaves on this rose bush show moderate damage. Adequate spacing between plants permits good air circulation to reduce fungus infection. The recent heavy rains promote fungus on many plants.

Fungus on Rose Bushes

The fungus infection on this plant shows more severe damage. Some hybrids are more disease resistant than others; and some soil conditions lessen the chances of fungus infection: Rose beds that were topped up with topsoil sustained the least fungus damage.

Black Spot on Rose Leaves

Foliage of rose bushes shows the black spots that lead to yellowing leaves and die off.

Evelyn Rose with Black Spot and Japanese Beetles

Again, double damage to Evelyn, with black spot on the foliage and Japanese beetles in the flowers.

Rosa Hazel McCallion Red Rose with White

Here's a break from doom and gloom in Rose Bush Land: What's purported to be one of the first of a new hybrid rose named for Mississauga mayor Hazel NMcCallion. But it's a bit of a mystery: The city web site image of the new Hazel Rose shows a pink blossom; the rose in the BRG shows a redder blossom, with white near the center of each petal. See this image for comparison with the picture above.
The lovely Brother Cadfael Austin Pink Rose

Like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day, Brother Cadfael coming into new bloom gladdens the hearts of the gardeners. That this photo is actually in clear focus doubly gladdens my heart!

See more rose photos : Brother Cadfael, Evelyn and Eglantyne. Chuckles continues to bloom and is setting dozens of new buds. Chuckles could be my BRG favourite rose!

Hazel McCallion - October 2009

The Hazel McCallion rose is still blooming in mid October, though still showing the deeper colours instead of the delicate pink promised. Steps have been taken to promote the growth of this rose's intended bloom. Stay tuned: Will see what happens next spring!