Aromatherapy for Your Roses

Sounds strange doesn't it? Using essential oils on your roses this Spring... well it may be just what your roses are yearning for. While some scents like rose for instance can attract both good and bad garden visitors (i.e. bees and Japanese beetles), the use of other essential oils can be a safer alternative to chemicals. Especially to our bee population which has been hit with a hard, mite inflicted, blow that has reverberations in many other areas of the garden. Such as vegetable and fruit pollination. Along with organic bacterial pest control products such as BT, essential oils can be used to holistically protect your prized plants. This includes other types of damage caused from funguses and mildew (PM).

Essential oils can be used in a number of ways to aid your roses. Of course planting roses suggested for your area are one of the best things you can do. www.timelessroses.com has a superb general set of lists or you can seek out a public rose garden in your area for suggestions. Plating roses that were originally suited for a greenhouse (as many HT's were) in your garden outdoors will usually mean a plant that limps along. Buying virus free roses can also be of a great help. To prevent your nice green leaves from becoming a bugs lunch, try essential oil of Neem. From the Indian (as in India) Neem tree, neem oil has been found to be a superb guard against insect damage. It can be hard to find at times, however try calling around to local greenhouses. Many are selling gallons of it as it becomes more popular with those seeking organic methods. What if the damage is coming from a furry garden foe... well try a good soaking application of garlic water! The smell and taste will drive them away for sure and keep them away for years even, if you use if consistently. Garlic oil dropped around plants will further keep them at a distance. Garlic is said to have other special benefits in regards to roses and became the title of the popular companion plant book, "Roses Love Garlic".

Essential oils can also help your roses grow better in general. Hence why lavender is frequently grown around or in-between roses. The smell of these two in nature if beyond descriptions and will never be able to be captured in a bottle! Adding lavender essential oil to your watering can, as a treatment for roses may be a good idea. Remember not to use too much or at times of full sun as the oil may burn the roses leaves.

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