Great Design Plant: Sally Holmes Rose

In the plant world, small can rival the beauty and legacy of a rose. It is a classic choice for any backyard, and I find myself transfixed by their devotion yet intimidated by all that encompasses the rose world. Which type should I choose, and can I grow ? I enlisted the experience of Lenkin Design to demonstrate that modern landscapes can be rose-colored.

“Roses are typically reserved for use with more formal architectural styles, however, Sally Holmes’s simple charm gives her much greater flexibility,” says designer Heather Lenkin. “A stunning and vigorous climbing rose, Sally Holmes blossoms constantly throughout the year in southern climates, produces floral displays fuller than many other climbing roses and can readily be trained to develop along fences, trellises, arborswalls.”

Plant Sally Holmes as a bare-root climbed in winternurseries will start to carry containers in spring. By early summer, abundant flower clusters will insure fresh canes and persist through collapse.

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Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Botanical name: Rosa‘Sally Holmes’
Common name: Sally Holmes Rose
Breed: Hybrid Musk Ballerina and Ivory Fashion Rose
USDA zones: 5-9
Water necessity: Regular
Sun necessity: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Growing to 15 foot; can be trained as a shrub
Tolerances: Disease, color and warmth

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Distinguishing attributes. The blossoms are what make a rose, and the blossoms of Sally Holmes definitely leave an impression. As fresh buds, the petals are a vibrant coral pink and apricot. By the time that the flowers mature, they fade to a soft creamy white with just a touch of pink at the tips. The subtle scent of Sally Holmes has a spicy hint. Blooming from June through October, clusters of large single blossoms last through the summer.

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

The best way to utilize it. Use as a climber or train as a shrub. Grow Sally Holmes onto a trellis or arbor, or just allow the plant to spread naturally through the backyard.

“In Lenkin Design we frequently combine Sally Holmes with a mixture of vines to organize seasonal scents and floral displays,” Lenkin states. “These may include Pink Jasmine, scaling Clematis, or other climbing roses like the glorious Eden. The coral shading from the creamy white Sally Holmes rose make it a perfect companion for its beautiful apricot, peach and light yellow Heather Lenkin rose”

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Keep it rising. Water regularly in well-drained soil, making sure that the soil does not dry out. While roses prefer full sun, Sally Holmes is much more tolerant of shade. A persistent grower, Sally Holmes is also resistant to many rose diseases. Plant bare-root roses in winter or wait until spring to plant containers. Make sure you receive your roses from the floor and established prior to the summer heat, and fresh buds will abound by June.

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