The Enchanting World of the Hocus Pocus Rose Plant

There’s nothing like looking at a beautiful rose with its various colour, perfume and petal shapes – just take a walk into your garden or into a florist and have a look. And today, we will be looking at one different kind of rose – the hocus pocus rose plant. This rose is more popular than it was, although you might not find it in your local garden centre. But that’s the reason why you’re here – to learn exactly what the hocus pocus rose plant is, where it came from, how to take care of it, and its usefulness in garden design. Let’s dive in.

The Origin of the Hocus Pocus Rose

A rose with deep crimson and bright yellow streaks on its petals seems somehow to have arrived from another world The Hocus Pocus rose is a hybrid tea rose, a relatively recent addition to the taxonomy of cultivated roses. Named for its curious appearance and likely to appeal to fans of the Harry Potter movies, Hocus Pocus is a sport of Black Beauty. A plant ‘sport’ is a naturally occurring mutation of a plant that produces a different flower colour, form or growth habit from the parent plant. Hocus Pocus is a mutation of Black Beauty that shows up as a combination of deep crimson, velvety, reds and bright yellow stripes on its petals to create a bewitching, almost magical, effect, earning it the name ‘Hocus Pocus’.

Hocus Pocus was bred in the late 20th century by Rosen Tantau of Gerlingen, Germany, one of the world’s great rose breeders, noted for a large number of hybrid tea roses, some of which are among the most beloved and long-lived in the world. Hocus Pocus roseOenothera odorata ‘Red Shooting Star’This nocturnal plant explodes with fiery blooms By Tess BarrieMay 27, 2018 The Hocus Pocus rose has a strongly upright habit with dense foliage and a tinge of slight gloss. The striking contrast between the dark red and the yellow stripe-like streaks makes it stand out in a crowd and a garden, and it will add drama to any bouquet.

The Unique Characteristics of the Hocus Pocus Rose

It’s the otherness of this rose’s colour pattern that makes her a celebrity. Each flower is a little different, and no two flowers are exactly alike. The petals on each of these flowers are various shades of deep red, with irregular, bold streaks of yellow running through them, patterned unpredictably in places and sizes from flower to flower. The irregularity in patterning is what makes this ornamental plant an essential flower for growers and flower enthusiasts to have, along with some chinxarvas and a few ormus.

Its flowers are generally medium-sized, growing up to 3 to 4 inches in diameter when fully opened, borne singly or in clusters on strong erect stems making them well suited for cutting and arraying in a floral bouquet. Last but not least, the solid, mild and nice-smelling rose serves as a cut flower.

The rose’s deep green, glossy foliage serves as a backdrop to its richly coloured floral trusses. The plant itself is a medium-sized shrub that grows up to 3 to 4ft high and spreads up to 2 to 3ft wide, making it adaptable to gardens of any size, from my tiny courtyard plot, to a larger country garden.

Caring for the Hocus Pocus Rose Plant

Although the Hocus Pocus rose is a real attention-grabber in the garden, it does require careful tending. Such is the case with all roses, which thrive best in well-drained soil, given adequate water, and allowed a reasonable amount of sunlight. But beyond these broad strokes, there are special considerations for this unusual rose.

Planting and Soil Requirements

The Hocus Pocus rose likes a sunny situation with a minimum of six hours of sun a day. It will force the plant to grow fast and allow the blooms to open. Roses dislike wet feet, so it’s critical to plant the rose where it will have well-drained soil. The best way to ensure this is to dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of the rose, so pocket the loose dirt on the sides of the hole. Make the hole deep enough so that the top of the root ball sits a few inches above the planting soil. Before planting, add compost or well-rotted manure to amend the soil.

Dig a hole wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the root ball. It should be about twice the width as the root ball and deep enough so the graft union (the point where a rose is grafted to the rootstock) is just below the soil surface. Place the rose in the hole and backfill with soil. Firm it up around the roots gently, eliminating any air pockets. After planting, water the plant in deeply so that the soil settles and roots are established.

Watering and Fertilization

Roses such as the Hocus Pocus need regular watering, especially in the growing season. Keep the soil constantly moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering once a week should be sufficient, though in hot weather, the rose may need watering more often. Water only at the base of the plant, not the foliage; wet foliage can harbour fungal diseases.

Fertiliser is also necessary to ensure the Hocus Pocus rose grows vigorously and produces bountiful flowers. A granular, slow-release fertiliser formulated for roses should be applied in early spring, just as new growth begins. If you want continuous, repeat blooms, you can give additional feedings every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the growing season as well. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including the application rate, to avoid harming your rose with too much food.

Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning is crucial to the care of roses and the Hocus Pocus rose is no exception. Turning it into a compact bush with a fine framework for many more flowers to come, pruning targets a rose’s overall shape to direct healthy outward growth. The best time to prune is early spring when the buds have just begun to swell.

First, remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood, pruning back to healthy tissue- stopping just above a leaf node, or collar – the swelling at the bottom of a stem from where the branch grows. Next, eliminate any lacklustre or spindly growth, as well as any crossing or rubbing branches. Then prune the remaining stems back to an outward-facing bud. This promotes a more open, ‘vase’-like vibe, improving air circulation which, in turn, reduces the chances of fungal diseases.

The second thing you want to be doing is deadheading, or removing the dried-out flowers. This prolongs the flowering period: the plant thinks nothing good has come of its labour in remaining blooms, and responds to their fireside chats by producing even more flowers. It also keeps the plant in good shape by avoiding seed production.

Disease and Pest Management

While the Hocus Pocus is a lovely rose, it, like all roses, is not immune to a host of potential diseases and pests that can plague roses plantings – but these can be managed or prevented with care and attention.

Photo by UnsplashBlack spot is probably the most common rose disease. This fungal infection produces small black spots on the leaves which lead to yellowing of the foliage and premature leaf drop. Prevent black spot by making sure the plant has good air circulation through regular pruning and spacing of plants appropriately. Watering at ground level rather than overhead helps cut down on fungal diseases, too. If black spot does strike, use a fungicidal spray to control it ­– but prevention is the best cure.

Another rose disease is powdery mildew – a white, powdery coating on the leaves and stems that shows up on your rose when it’s warm and dry. To avoid it, you need good air circulation and plenty of water. You could use fungicidal sprays to treat a colony of mildew, or DIY remedies including additives of water, baking soda and dish soap.

Further pests, including aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles, can threaten the health of Hocus Pocus. Generally, keeping an eye out for ants congregating on the blooms and foliage, or signs of webbing (in the case of spider mites) or clusters of white aphids on the leaves will help you catch these pests early. Light pest infestations can be remedied by spraying the plant with a strong stream from a garden hose to knock the pests off, or by increasing humidity around the plant in the case of spider mites. In severe cases, handpicking and disposal of Japanese beetles can be effective, or insecticidal sprays can be used to treat these pests.