Rose Athene Bush

• Rose Athene is a modern bush rose variety developed for reliable performance and disease resistance in diverse climates. She combines old-world charm with contemporary breeding advances.
• Known for her repeat flowering habit, producing multiple flushes of blooms from spring through autumn when conditions are favourable. Each flower displays classic rose form and fragrance.
• Gardeners love Athene for her manageable size, making her perfect for smaller gardens while still delivering impressive flower power. She's ideal for cutting gardens and mixed borders.
• This variety shows excellent heat tolerance, making her well-suited to Australian conditions from temperate to subtropical regions.

• Water deeply once or twice weekly, more frequently during hot weather and flowering periods. Check soil moisture 5cm down before watering.
• Position in full sun location with morning sun essential and some afternoon protection in extremely hot climates. Minimum 6 hours direct sunlight daily.
• Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost, cow manure, and rose-specific soil improver. Maintain pH between 6.0-7.0 for optimal nutrient uptake.
• Feed monthly during growing season (September-March) with complete rose fertiliser plus organic matter. Apply Epsom salts quarterly for magnesium.
• Prune in late winter removing dead, diseased, and crossing branches. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage repeat flowering throughout the season.
• Mulch heavily around base with organic matter to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from stem base.
• In autumn, reduce watering frequency and cease feeding to prepare plant for winter dormancy period.

• Provide full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering performance and disease resistance. Morning sun is particularly important in hot Australian climates.
• Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Increase frequency during hot summer months and flowering periods.
• Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost and aged manure. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and encourage new growth. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering.
• Feed monthly during growing season with rose-specific fertiliser containing balanced nutrients and trace elements.

• Aphids can cluster on new growth - spray with insecticidal soap or encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds. Check regularly during spring growth spurts.
• Black spot fungal disease causes dark spots on leaves - improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper-based fungicide if needed.
• Scale insects appear as small brown bumps on stems - scrape off manually or use horticultural oil spray. Monitor regularly during warmer months.
• Overwatering leads to root rot and yellowing leaves - ensure good drainage and reduce watering frequency. Check soil moisture before watering.