It is surprising to me that more shrub roses are not grown in our gardens. I feel that even some real “down-to-earth” rose lovers do not realize how versatile, hardy, and easy to grow they can be. They differ from the familiar hybrid tea and floribunda roses in that they are taller and generally produce … Read more
In June 1946, Harold E. Weaver took five roses to his first show and walked off with five blue ribbons when the judging was over. One of his blooms was judged best in the show, and two others were rated second and third. At the time, only 16 out of the 41 bushes he grew … Read more
The historical rose gardens in Descanso Gardens at La Canada, Calif., preserve numerous species of the oldest known roses. Beginning with the Christian Era, these varieties have been collected from all parts of the globe and planted in labeled groups along walks winding through the area. Oldest Known Roses Gallica Rose One of the oldest … Read more
How do you like your roses—short, medium, or tall? Want to gaze down on knee-high bushes from full height? Or meet medium-tall plants face to face, so you can sniff their fragrance without getting a crick in your back? Would you rather look up to extra-tall plants to enjoy their blossoms silhouetted against the sky? … Read more
Rose planting time is just around the corner. If you are a typical gardener, during the past few months, you derived much pleasure from scanning the newest catalogs and deciding which new roses to plant in your garden this spring. As you browsed through the season’s offering of catalogs, you perhaps needed clarification, as many … Read more
For several years, single roses have been out of favor. Modern rose growers have preferred fully double, many-petaled varieties. The popularity pendulum has recently been swinging toward single and semi-double roses. This appreciation is likely due to extensive interest in flower arranging and the realization by rose growers of the need for the contrasting form … Read more
Roses exist in almost every size and habit — shrubs roses, climbing roses, and miniature roses. New ones will be announced in the future, as they have for so many years. Each generation of rose growers gleefully acclaims new styles, types, or colors, just as those with other interests are excited by new books, theatricals, … Read more
The story of today’s roses is exciting—new varieties, new ways to use them in the garden, and new ways to buy them. Until recently, roses could only be planted in the spring or fall, and the gardener who missed these conventional times had to wait six months for the next planting season. Today, the rose … Read more
Because of their diminutive size, miniature roses are often thought to be too delicate or not hardy enough to be grown outdoors. This is not true, as thousands of these little roses are grown outdoors all over the country. In recent years, miniature roses have become one of the most popular garden plants. They are … Read more
Climbing roses are not only magnificent in bloom but versatile as well. No matter how small your garden or backyard is, there is always room for at least one climbing rose. They can adorn the side of a garage, be espaliered against a chimney, used as a screen for a porch, or trained on an … Read more