Page 12 - Griffin Gazette Summer 2016

Everything’s Coming Up By Ken Rynearson, Product Consultant
North America Poulsen Roser A/S; and
Roses Beth Engle, Griffin Assistant Business
Manager
12 Griffin Gazette Summer 2016 Image: Towne & Country Pebble Beach rose
Poulsen Roser is a name that’s been in
the horticultural business for more than
130 years. The company continues to be a
highly active breeder of outdoor potted and
garden rose genetics to meet the needs
and demands of today’s consumers.

Many modern gardeners are looking for
plants to fit on a patio, balcony or a small
yard. To fill this demand, we need suitable
plants. Poulsen breeding fits the bill.

Sales begin with shelf appeal. The Poulsen
team understands the importance of retail
appeal to drive sales. Poulsen has worked
for decades to develop diverse rose series
that attract interest at the point of sale.

Poulsen rose genetics produce plants that
offer hardiness (to Zone 5 for many series),
disease resistance, and a wide range of
colors and fragrance. It’s important to note:
All Poulsen rose genetics are own-root
roses, eliminating graft union or rootstock
issues for growers.

Contemporary climbers
The Courtyard series has a predisposition
to climb and branch laterally almost
equally. This series encompasses roses
that are climbers (both those that fit into a
patio pot and those for garden plantings)
as well as varieties that are ‘ramblers.’ Your
preferences regarding form, function and
finished pot size will guide you to the right
variety selection.

A lack of complete apical dominance
pushes branches and flowers evenly from
the bottom to the top; unlike older varieties,
Courtyard flowers over the entire plant
rather than just at the top. Growers can
further accentuate this characteristic by
applying a light, selective pinch after newly
formed flower buds emerge. Courtyard’s
distinctive habit lends well to producing a
very unique form of a flowering column.

Courtyard can be finished in 1 to 2½ gallon
containers. Retailers: Don’t overlook the
potential for Courtyard to actively drive
trellis, arbor and other garden-art sales in
your garden center!

Gorgeous groundcovers
The Towne & Country series is a wonderful
groundcover group, boasting a low-
growing habit that covers a wide area.
When planted close together, at 12- to 18-
inch spacing, Towne & Country plants form
a continuous mass of rich color. Some
varieties within this series are also well
suited to use as borders and even hedges.

As a class, groundcover roses tend to
flower later than other roses. However,
Poulsen’s breeding work has enabled the
Towne & Country series to flower both