January is traditionally the month for pruning roses in Butte County, although pruning in the form of deadheading spent blooms continues during the bloom season (sometimes into December). Unless you wear long leather gloves and an apron, there is a good chance you and your clothing will suffer from scratches and tears.
Painful scratches and thorn pricks are one reason it’s prudent to get a tetanus shot every 10 years. Be sure to promptly clean scratches and pricks, too, because if untended they can become infected.
While pruning your roses this winter, you might notice the varying amounts of thorns on your plants. Some roses are very thorny, while others are nearly smooth or thorn-free.
Some varieties that are not totally thornless have thorns widely spaced, lessening the chance of being snagged. Other varieties have a few thorns on the lower half of the plant. In the case of Old Garden Roses (also known as heritage or antique roses), thorns may be located on the bottom of the leaves.
Thornless and nearly thorn-free roses are particularly appropriate for elderly gardeners, young children and individuals who may be susceptible to injury due to an impaired lymphatic system. Smoothly-caned roses also make pruning and training of both bush and climbing rose varieties easier. And they are a good choice for attractive, non-threatening walkways and arbors.
Luckily, January is also a great time to plant new bare-root roses. Several online companies recognize the need for thornless roses and include that information in their plant descriptions; some even have a special category for thornless roses.
Here are eight recommended varieties. Given ideal conditions, many of these are repeat bloomers, providing flowers throughout the growing season.
* R. Banksiae lutea (Lady Banks) Species, small light yellow double flowers, 20 feet high, deer-resistant. Tolerates poor soil.
* Nastorana, Noisette semi-white tinged pink double flowers, repeats, honeysuckle fragrance, 4 feet tall, 10 feet wide.
* Heritage, shrub, double flowered David Austin, lemon scent, small 7-foot climber, disease-resistant.
* James Galway. Shrub or climber, David Austin, old rose fragrance with almost thornless growth. Warm pink center, shading to pink at the edges. Reported to be shade-tolerant.
* Paul Neyron, Hybrid perpetual, medium pink, nearly thornless, 50 petals, long-lasting 7-inch blooms, reported to have continuous flowering. This is the one you think of as Grandma’s cabbage rose type.
* Zephirine Droughin, Bourbon, high centered medium pink, 25-30 petals, repeats, 8-12 feet, overwhelming fragrance. But it can suffer from rust, black spot and mildew.
* Reine des Violettes, hybrid perpetual, fragrant flat mauve petals. Blooms in early spring. Has a 5-foot square shape.
