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.
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Web Finds
Roses of the North
The University of Minnesota's Roses of the North website offers in-depth information on rose growing. Scroll down on this landing page to view the table of contents. The site includes a number of charts, such as a floral traits table that evaluates rose varieties on several flower characteristics. Another chart details different varieties' seasonal rebloom pattern. If a rose thrives in Minnesota's cold winters, it's likely to thrive here in the Northeast.
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) 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.