Rose Astrid Graffin von Hardenberg

Bright and unusual flowers always attract attention. Rose Astrid Graffin von Hardenberg is distinguished by double petals, rich bright burgundy color, as well as a wonderful light aroma.

The variety belongs to the group of scrubs - that is, it is a bush crop, which is large in size and occupies a sufficient area. Such plants are bred specifically for parks or large estates.

The author was the famous German breeder Hans Jürgen Evers, who is a co-owner of a large rose growing company Tantau. The year of creation of the selection is considered 1997, but the rose was registered only in 2001 under the number Tan97150.

Evers assigned the variety to the Nostalgia group of scrubs. In addition to the fact that the rose has a bush shape, it is also half-twisted.

It can be found under such names as:

• Astrid Grafin von Hardenberg;

• Black Caviar.

Astrid's rose bushes are vigorous. The shoots are drooping and have a height of 100-150 cm.The crown is large, spreading and 120 cm wide.

Leaves are standard size, oblong, dark green in color. The surface is smooth and glossy. The veins are clearly visible on the back surface. Strongly leafy bush.

The buds have a large oval shape. It belongs to the classic type, but the petals are slightly bent outward with the very first outer petals. After a full set of color, the shape gradually begins to resemble an old flower. The flower diameter is 10-12 cm.

The color of the petals is dark burgundy, intense, with a slight bloom of burgundy-red undertones. After a while, the center of the bud may begin to brighten. The color saturation is dark, there is no variegation.

By the number of petals, the flower belongs to the densely double type, from 60 to 80 pieces of them are collected in one bud.

All flowers are collected in inflorescences. From 5-6 flowers are formed on one stem.

The aroma of the rose is intense and very strong. The scent contains notes of freshness, as well as lemon.

The variety has advantages and disadvantages. The positive features are that the bush has good decorative indicators. A rose can be easily used in landscape design, and due to the color scheme, you can create a beautiful bouquet arrangement.

The rose tolerates cold snaps well, as well as winter.

The originators stated that the flower has excellent immunity.

Among the minuses, it is most often noted that, due to high shoots, the bush is unstable during rain and strong winds. With severe weather, dampness and constant precipitation, petals begin to deteriorate and fall off.

With improper agrotechnical care, the development of fungal diseases increases significantly.

Rose Astrid Graffin von Hardenberg is distinguished by long flowering, which begins in June and ends only in September with the onset of the first cold weather.

The flowers are rather large, densely doubled. Due to the abundant flowering, it seems that the bush is endless.

As soon as some buds have faded, others begin to bloom to replace them. And this happens 2-3 times per season.

In order for budding not to stop, it is necessary to feed the bushes, and remove all the buds that have faded. This should be done immediately, without waiting for the complete fall of the petals.

Due to its characteristics, the Astrid variety is very often used in landscape design. The bush can be easily played in compositions on a flower bed. The color scheme is combined with many other shades, so there are no conflicts in this regard.

And also the rose is used in parks to create hedges or edging paths. Due to the fact that the shoots are long, the bush can be used as you like.

Before planting roses, you need to choose the right place. It should be well lit by the sun, with little shading. It is worth choosing a spacious flower bed so that the wind blows a little in this place.

Water should not accumulate in the selected area. This will have a bad effect on the root system, and the development of fungal diseases is also possible.

The soil should be saturated with black soil, this will help the root system to develop well. But if the land is more loamy, then this is also favorable for the plant. Only in this case more organic fertilizers are needed.

Before planting, you need to dig a hole with a depth of 50 cm, plus you need to add 10-15 cm for drainage.

For the drainage system, gravel, broken brick or crushed stone are suitable. The drainage slide must be sprinkled with a layer of fertilizer mixed with the ground.

The seedling is soaked in damp sand for 10-12 hours.

The rose sinks into the ground to the root collar. It is best that it protrude from the ground level by 20-25 cm.

Rose Astrid Graffin von Hardenberg is unpretentious in care. But for abundant flowering and a healthy state of the bush, care should include:

• systematic loosening of the soil;

• top dressing;

• watering;

• pruning;

• preparation for winter.

Watering should be on schedule - no more than once a week. If the weather is dry and hot, without precipitation, then irrigation is carried out 2 times a week.

Top dressing is selected based on the composition of the soil. The most commonly used are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

Formation and pruning of a bush are divided into several stages. In the spring, before the buds begin to swell, the bush is examined and shoots that have not survived the winter or have broken are removed.

In the summer, remove all faded buds to stimulate the formation of new ones.

In the fall, a bush is formed, giving it the necessary shape, and damaged shoots are removed.

All cuts and breaks must be lubricated with garden varnish.

Astrid's rose has good immunity, she is not attacked by black spot or powdery mildew. But if the bush was attacked by insects or an infection, then most likely it was planted in the wrong place.

If there is an excess of moisture along with cold drafts, then the immunity of the bush will be greatly undermined. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying with a bordeaux solution of 1%.

For pest control, you can use the drug "Confidor Extra".

But it is worth remembering that when using any chemicals, you must be careful and observe the dosage without exceeding it.

The Astrid Graffin variety can be propagated by cuttings, but it will take 3-4 years to get the finished bush.

The process of grafting itself is carried out at the beginning of summer. A place for germination of cuttings and soil are prepared in advance.

The strongest and youngest shoot is selected. It is carefully cut and then divided into equal parts. Most often, cuttings are made at least 20 cm in length.

It is important that there are several leaves and buds on each cuttings, but there should be no flowers.

The lower cut is made obliquely, the upper one should be straight.

A small greenhouse is placed in a prepared place, cuttings are placed there and watered.

Care must be taken to keep the soil moist. For the winter, not only cuttings are sheltered, but also the main bushes of the rose.

Next summer, the cuttings are ready for transplanting.