Regional Growing Guide: New England
New England's erratic winter and spring temperatures, which might shift more than 50 degrees from one day to the next, can exact their toll on roses. Savvy gardeners winterize their plants by covering them with mulch, then wrapping them in woven mulch cloth or burlap to protect from both the cold and drying winds. The wraps come off in spring, and by June, the roses are in full bloom. Intense heat during July and August may slow down the plants, but they will bounce back with renewed vigor in September. Many of the most successful roses are new landscape roses and floribundas that are cold hardy and resist black spot and mildew.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall Winter
Web Site
Planting Roses
The University of Illinois Extension has an informative Web page on planting roses, with links to other rose topics. Visit their Planting Roses Web page for simple step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos. Other rose topics on the site include site selection, pruning, and a brief history of roses. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/planting.html
Books
Clear information on managing pests is a hallmark of Rodale Organic Gardening Books, and Growing Roses Organically: Your Guide to Creating an Easy-Care Garden Full of Fragrance and Beauty, (2002, $35) is no exception. Author Barbara Wilde refutes the myth that growing roses means spraying synthetic pesticides to control diseases and insects. In addition to the vital pest management information, Wilde also includes a summary of rose classifications, variety recommendations (both heirloom and recent introductions), and colorful photos. She rounds out the book by including design ideas, a rose care calendar, and an extensive index.