Regional Growing Guide: Upper South
Hot, hazy and humid describes much of the year in this region, where roses commence their first peak of bloom by Mother's Day, then continue budding out and blooming through December. While most of the rain comes during winter and early spring, fierce afternoon thunderstorms, nor-easters and even hurricanes may blow through during summer months. The soil may be acidic or sandy: amending with lime helps balance the pH, while compost provides nutrients and improves drainage. The best roses are heat tolerant and resist black spot: new roses often offer improved repeat blooming as well.
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The 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.
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.
A Twilight Rose Garden
Imagine coming home in the early evening twilight to a doorway flanked by luminous white rose blossoms. If work keeps you away from home during the day, evening might be the best time to enjoy your garden. If so, plan a garden area specifically for savoring flowers at twilight. White-flowered roses are a perfect choice to flank a deck, sunroom, or to plant near the window where you spend your evening hours.
Plants that bloom in colors of white, butter yellow, and the palest of pinks and lavenders stay bright after dusk and are the best choices for your twilight garden. You can search our past winners by color to find the perfect hue. Choose fragrant rose varieties, or be sure to include other fragrant flowers, such as Oriental lilies, alyssum, and nicotiana. Some flowers are especially fragrant at night.
Elegant Companions
Adding roses to your beds will bring light and fragrance up closer to eye level. Surrounding roses with a textured carpet of silver-leaved plants, such as mounding artemisia, heightens the effect. Intersperse these with dark-leaved plants to make the white and silver jump out. You'll be rewarded with a simple, elegant, and charming garden.
Hardscapes
A comfortable garden bench or swing completes the scene. Or, if you prefer to walk rather than sit, create a winding pathway among your evening plants. Use silver-leafed thyme between the stepping stones, and its woodsy fragrance will be released as you brush by the plants. Edge the path with silvery gray lamb's ears to help guide your ngihttime strolls, adding an occasional white impatiens or two in shady spots to create beautiful snowy mounds of brightness. Subtle, well-placed landscape lighting can enhance the effect.
In our workaday world, we may have limited time on weekdays to enjoy our gardens. A twilight garden allows us to enjoy our flowerbeds all week long.