Regional Growing Guide: Northern & Central Midwest
Harsh winters and humid summers are the greatest challenges to growing roses in our nation's midsection. Preventive measures in the northern states are extreme. In fall, the "Minnesota tip" involves loosening the roots, digging a trench, then tipping over the rose and burying it beneath leaves, branches and straw. In southern states, gardeners who can't rely on snow to insulate their roses wrap them in rings of newspaper filled with mulch. Planting cold-hardy roses helps ensure success, as does selecting new hybrid teas, floribundas and shrub roses that bear thick, waxy leaves and have been bred to resist disease.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Books
Roses for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, 2000), by Lance Walheim, is an excellent reference for the advanced rosarian as well as the novice. His recommendations for which rose to plant and, more importantly, which not to plant, are invaluable.
There is a section of color photos of the different types of roses: hybrid teas, shrub roses, climbers, floribundas, grandifloras, and miniatures. There also is a section on what makes roses fragrant, which is very interesting reading. There is a large section on the cultivation of roses in containers, as well as the basics, such as pruning, fertilizing and watering. Over all, Roses for Dummies is a great source of information to keep on hand if you love roses!
Recipe
Rose petal Vinegar
Ingredients
4 cups white vinegar
2 cups red rose petals
Preparation
Heat vinegar to boiling and remove from heat. Pour into a glass jar with a lid and add rose petals. Put on lid and place in a dark, cool spot for a week.
Strain out petals and pour into decorative bottles.
Delicious on fruit salad or piquant green salad with a little light flavored oil. Also makes a great after-shampoo rinse or addition to the bath!