next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
[NatureNS] The Fuss About CARP cites Rosa multiflora as an invasive http://www.annapolisriver.ca/alienplants.php For pics of two examples of really invasive R. multiflora in N.S., see http://versicolor.ca/rosamultiflora One is climbing over trees in Windsor, the other in pasture near Smiley?s Park Interestingly, it is common around Halifax, but not yet in Point Pleasant Park. I notified PPP staff of one site on the main road which they cut out. I think it is a species best eradicated when caught early. ?Glad to see many suggested alternatives to plant for birds. Another ornamental rose that has become seriously invasive: Rosa rugosa, see Hill, N.M., Beveridge, L., Flynn, A. & Garbary, D.J. 2010. Rosa rugosa as an invader of coastal sand dunes of Cape Breton Island and mainland of Nova Scotia. The Canadian Field Naturalist 124: 151-158. Quoting John Kearney <john.kearney@ns.sympatico.ca>: > I have found that allowing and encouraging the growth of multiflora rose > here on the coast of the Northumberland Strait is an effective method for > stabilizing shoreline banks. I can see several feet of difference in the > amount of erosion where multiflora rose has taken root and where it has not. > > John > > > > From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] > On Behalf Of Hans Toom > Sent: November 24, 2012 19:01 > To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca > 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/> http://www.hanstoom.com/ > >
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects