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sign of roots, throw Thanks Hans, Paul, David and everyone who weighed in on this disucssion! Didn't know anything about it's invasiveness, only knew it was great for winter birds, and does look good especially in winter as Hans pointed out, so that made it cool in my books. Will have to think on whether or not I want to plant it, as there seems to be good arguments for and against putting it in. I want to make my yard more bird friendly, but not have a battle on my hands trying to keep it under control. Some other plants were mentioned to me, so that may be an option as well. cheers, Gary Murray Tucker Lake Beaverbank NS ----- Original Message ----- From: Hans Toom <htoom@hfx.eastlink.ca> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:01:05 -0400 Subject: [NatureNS] The Fuss About Multiflora Roses > The multiflora rose is a beautiful flowering plant that produces hundreds of splendid petals that last for about three weeks. In my rather coolish coastal area the plant blooms in mid July. The thousands of berries appear in mid to late fall and provide food for almost every migrating and overwintering bird. The red berries are magical when covered by snow and descended upon by hordes of thrushes and finches of all types. The mimics, waxwings, sparrows and flycatchers also take their share. > > The plant is low maintenance providing you follow some simple rules. Never use it as a show plant, display plant or foundation planting. Use it only in areas where humans do not frequent for the thorns are as vicious as on any plant I've met. Plant it around the boundaries of your garden or yard where it can grow uninhibited in three directions, to the back and to the sides. The leaders are amazing, growing 8-12 feet per year but have a rather nasty overhanging strategy. Where the rose overhangs onto areas where you don't want it simply cut off the leaders and throw them back onto the top of the plant. I do this once a year! The seedlings that sprout into new roses are your opportunity to continue building your hedge. Simply pull the sprouts out of the ground when they are 2-3 feet long until you see roots, cut the sprout, and throw them in a bucket of water. The same procedure applies to root spread plants. Root starter is not necessary in your bucket of water. Take your sprouts and using a spike or fork create a hole and drop the sprout into it, tap it down with your feet and water, then forget. I have about a 90% success rate at replanting the volunteers. Older plants do not grow much at all and produce considerably less berries than the younger ones. As well as a source of food the plant is the best protection against raptors that songbirds can have. I've seen songbirds huddled in the middle of the rose with the raptor sitting nearby frustrated, knowing that a plunge into the rose provides not a reward of bird flesh but numerous thorn stabs. Sometimes the raptors get so tangled I've almost had to rescue them, but not yet. > > The plant was introduced from Asia to act as a natural animal barrier which it does well enough but as has been pointed out by others it does spread. It's banned from some American states as a noxious plant. > > It's easy to get your supply of cuttings. Take a heavy pair of gloves, good shears and a bucket of water and visit locations where this plant grows in abundance. Pull out leaders, cut them off at the first sign of roots, throw in your bucket of water and replant along the edges of your property where people do not frequent. I don't recommend this plant if you have dogs or children running about. > > If one follows these simple guidelines the plant is a wonderful introduction to your garden, providing birds food and protection and the home owner the pleasure of unbelievable blooms. Gray Catbirds nest in this plant as do Baltimore Orioles, further south of course. > > Hans > _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ > Hans Toom > Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada > http://www.hanstoom.com/ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.930 / Virus Database: 2634.1.1/5417 - Release Date: 11/24/12 15:34:00 > >
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