“Of all flowers, I think a rose is best,” said Emilia in Two Noble Kinsmen. This has been man’s sentiment since he first began to garden. The rose has a variety of colors, scents, forms, and landscape value for any taste. There may be no other plant giving more pleasure. The problem is that most … Read more
Not all of our “Best” ornamentals come from the Orient, and this beautiful native American rose is proof of that. A native from Newfoundland to Virginia and westward to Missouri, roses will grow almost anywhere if a reasonable amount of nutrients and moisture are in the soil. When roses are mentioned, many gardeners think only … Read more
Almost every month in the year, someone moves from one home to another or moves rose plants from one garden to another. Many plants are left behind, but many more are killed because they were not appropriately moved. While there are several lines of thought about how to grow and move bushes, every day, I … Read more
If you are a gardener whose rose horizon is widening, you are ready to consider the old roses—the ideal background for your collection of moderns. Here they will add the perfect note of elegance and quaintness, terms which have become synonymous with the inherent beauty of the old-fashioned roses. If you are wondering if some … Read more
“How do you grow roses good enough to win the Nicholson Bowl?” This question was frequently put to Edward Sima of Seattle, Washington, who won the most coveted prize of rosedom at the national meeting of the American Rose Society back in 1951. One glance at the perfect form, good color, large size, strong stems, … Read more
Roses may be cut by gardeners seven months of the year in the general area referred to as the moist Pacific Northwest. Two weeks without rain brings out newspaper notices concerning the “drought” conditions. Winters are frequently so mild that planting operations continue from November until March without interruption. A famed visitor from Northern Ireland, … Read more
To grow roses in the arid Southwest, irrigation must be practiced. In some sections, such as from Laredo to Brownsville along the Rio Grande or in the Salt River area of Arizona near Phoenix, rose flowers can be had almost the entire year. In these areas, the period of frost danger is seldom more than … Read more
Summary: Growing roses in the south can be very rewarding. A long rose growing season and lots of blooms. But, growing rose bushes, climbing roses, trees, in pots or whatever rose type and form tickles your fancy does come with some “essentials” – Insect Prevention is one of the essentials. When growing roses in the south, careful planting … Read more
Pruning to keep rose plants healthy and productive are matters of importance to all of us who take pleasure in growing roses. Once the why of it all is understood, the how of it is simplified. Why Prune Rose Bushes? The purpose of pruning is to make plants grow as you wish them to. Perhaps … Read more
If there is one thing I’ve learned about growing plants over the last 50 years it is to do things right. Try not to cut corners and learn from someone who has had success. Below we share 6 quick tips on planting a rose and 6 care tips on making it grow in your rose … Read more