Choosing Roses for the Garden  Did you know that the rose is our "national floral emblem?" Always a popular plant, the rose was made the official national flower by proclamation in 1986. That makes it almost unpatriotic NOT to grow at least one rose! There are, at last count, a gazillion rose varieties, and each year rose breeders introduce new ones. How is a gardener to choose just one, or even just ten? Here are some ways to help you narrow down the field. Award-Winners Varieties that have won the All-American Rose Selection award have met specific standards for traits such as vigor, disease resistance, and flower production. AARS is a nonprofit association of rose growers with a network of test gardens across the country. Varieties are evalutated under a range of climates and growing conditions; of the many tested, just a few are awarded the prestigious AARS award.   read more
Keeping Beautiful Roses Disease Free Roses are a favorite in so many gardens. But those gorgeous flowers are sometimes accompanied by various rose diseases and pests. Is there an alternative to regular pesticide applications to keep these beauties producing the blossoms we so covet? It is possible, but it will take a little more attention to monitoring and prevention than to just fixing a problem once it has engulfed the plant. Resistant Varieties The first practice of a good rose grower should be to grow disease-resistant roses. Visit public rose gardens, botanic gardens, or your local nursery who sells AARS winning roses. Our winners are proven to start you on your way to a successful garden.  read more
A Case for Climbers Amazingly exuberant, climbing roses can transform a chain-link fence, arch over an entryway, or turn a simple trellis into a beautiful boundary. There's no time like the present to build a fence or trellis to support a new climber, or to sculpt and secure a climber you already have in your garden. Award-Winning Climbers Fourth of July™ (1999) has velvety red and white striped blossoms with long canes of 10 to 14 feet . The flowers on America™ (1976) are coral pink, with a strong fragrance. Golden Showers™(1957) is a classic, with deep golden-yellow flowers that fade to cream. Lovely Laterals As you plan for the installation of a new climber (or prune and tie an old one), keep in mind that climbing roses bloom best when the branches rise up 4 feet or so and then arch outward until they become horizontal. This growth pattern helps the plants intercept lots of light, and it stimulates the production of short lateral branches, which bear the biggest bouquets. Fences that allow air to circulate freely are ideal, provided they are sturdy enough to support the plants. Beyond trellising, most climbing roses require little maintenance. Allow new plants to grow unpruned for two years. After that, prune out only the oldest canes. Many gardeners prune their climbers only every other year, which works well when the plants are happy with their site, soil, and support structure.
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