Rosa hybrid 'Morden Amorette'

• Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, contributing to the health of your garden ecosystem.
• Wildlife Resistant: 'Morden Amorette' is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a practical choice for wildlife-prone gardens.

• Blooming Season: 'Morden Amorette' blooms from late spring through fall (June to September), with repeated flushes of flowers throughout the growing season.

Front-of-Border Accent: With a mature height and width of approximately 0.5 meters, 'Morden Amorette' is perfect for the front of garden beds, providing a splash of color without overwhelming neighboring plants.

Container Gardening: Its compact size makes it suitable for pots and containers, allowing flexibility in placement on patios, balconies, or small garden spaces.

Mass Plantings: Planting in groups can create a striking visual impact, especially when used as ground cover or in low hedges.

Pollinator Gardens: The continuous blooming nature of 'Morden Amorette' attracts pollinators such as bees, enhancing the ecological value of your garden.

The foliage is dark green, glossy, and dense, offering excellent disease resistance. The leaves form a neat, bushy backdrop to the striking pink blooms.

The flowers are a rich, deep pink with a semi-double bloom form, measuring about 2-3 inches in diameter. Each bloom has 20-25 petals, giving the flowers a classic, elegant rose appearance. The flowers have a mild fragrance and bloom in small clusters.

• Planting Season: Best planted in early spring or fall for optimal root establishment, though container-grown roses can be planted anytime during the growing season with proper care.
• Planting Depth: Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Ensure the graft union (the swollen area above the roots) is about 2 inches below the soil surface in colder climates, or at soil level in warmer zones.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, for improved soil structure and drainage.
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for air circulation and prevent overcrowding, which can reduce the risk of disease.

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain good air circulation and shape. Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous blooming.

Water deeply and regularly, especially during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases

Full sun is essential for the best flowering. Ensure 'Morden Amorette' receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and bloom production.

Cutting for Arrangements: Harvest blooms in the morning when they are partially open for longer vase life. Use sharp, clean pruners to make angled cuts above a leaf node.

Post-Harvest Care: Place stems in water immediately and remove any foliage that would be submerged to prevent bacterial growth. With proper care, cut 'Morden Amorette' roses can last several days in arrangements.

Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for roses. Repeat fertilization after the first bloom cycle to encourage repeat flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

• Pest & Disease: 'Morden Amorette' is resistant to many common rose diseases, including black spot and powdery mildew, but occasional aphid infestations can occur. Monitor the plant regularly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.
• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base to prevent rot.
• Winter Care: Hardy in USDA Zones 3-7, 'Morden Amorette' is exceptionally cold-tolerant. In colder climates, mound mulch around the base of the plant in late fall to protect it from freeze damage. Remove winter protection in early spring as temperatures warm.
• Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Cut just above the first set of healthy leaves.

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators that help with cross-pollination. However, 'Morden Amorette' is self-fertile, meaning it will bloom even without the presence of other roses for cross-pollination.

Selecting companion plants that thrive under similar conditions can enhance the health and beauty of your rose garden. Consider the following:

• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Offers a complementary color palette and emits a fragrance that can deter pests.
  
• Catmint (Nepeta spp.): Attracts beneficial insects and provides a soft, mounding contrast to the upright growth of roses.
  
• Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): Known for their pest-repelling properties, they can help protect roses from nematodes and aphids.
  
• Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.): These can deter common rose pests and add continuous color throughout the growing season.
  
• Salvia (Salvia spp.): Attracts pollinators and adds vertical interest with its spiky blooms.