Rose Shopping  Rose shopping is tough. Of course you want a pretty one, but every rose is pretty. So, you narrow it down to pink. Do you know how many pink roses there are? Here are some other things to consider. Rough and Tough If you don't like spraying or otherwise coddling your roses, look for disease-resistant varieites. AARS winning roses are a great choice when you are looking for an easy to grow rose. Humid or rainy conditions invite all sorts of disease problems, so look for varieties resistant to common diseases, such as black spot and rust. Location, Location, Location Full sun is best, good air circulation is absolutely necessary in this region, and decent soil and average moisture are givens. Space is also a consideration; choose a small variety for a small space. A rose needs room to grow to its full mature size without crowding.  continued
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.  continued
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