Regional Growing Guide: Coastal and Tropical 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.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Recipe
Grandma's Rose Refresher
If you have lots of fragrant red roses, you can make rose water for use in skin toner; to float candles in for a party; or for cooking, just like generations of women did before you.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh rose petals, tightly packed
Preparation
Place rose petals in an enamel pan with enough spring water to cover them all, then heat the mix almost -- but not quite -- to the boiling point.
Remove pan from heat and set aside to cool. Then pour through cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. The rosewater will be pink and fragrant for a couple of days.
Books
No one book has all the information you want on growing roses, but Foolproof Guide to Growing Roses, by Field Roebuck (Creative Homeowner Press, 2001) is certainly a worthy addition to the bookshelf. With excellent how-to photos and drawings, the book is one that a beginner could use easily, yet still not outgrow for quite some time. There is a general orientation to organic methods as well as information on easy-care varieties from heirloom to modern.