Roses, It’s About Time

February 10, 2012 Gaga

It’s about time all gardeners have a rose garden. If they want one then they shall have one. The RoseDoc, Ted Mills, Chattanooga, TN wrote an article in the American Rose Society’s American Rose Magazine September/October 2011 edition called The Last Word…On Roses. He says the median age of the local rose societies is “quite elevated.” The RoseDoc goes on to implore Rosarians who truly love roses to convince younger people that “growing roses has a way of satisfying the public as evidenced by the number of people who enjoy their beauty. This is a worthy objective of any rosarian.” The RoseDoc while making many great points thinks waning interest in rose societies is that the younger generation has found more fun things to do inside.

“Remember Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade.” Rudyard Kipling

I think while maybe true, young people are weighed down with time commitments and think roses take too much time and care. “OUI” need to dispel this notion. Roses will pay you back in spades for the time you put into their care. I promise. Roses are also forgiving. Personal research tells me garden enthusiasts love roses. If OUI can convince gardeners that roses are easy and forgiving and will pay you back in spades then roses will be part of their gardening plans. While in Texas I have mentioned I had several new devotees determined to have their own rose gardens. I’m not afraid to name names, Karen, Stacy & Wanda all put in rose gardens for the first time under my tutelage. They were all young, and beautiful I might add, ;), not a prerequisite by any means. I have to go to garden shops in disguise for fear that someone might recognize me. First of all we talked about color, placement, & time commitment. Each of these rosarians still have their gardens. They are rose aficionados for life. They better be. I’m working on the first 30 roses for the bed of floribundas. I received the Rosey Acres 2012 CUSTOMER PRICE LIST from Diane Bruckman from Rosey Acres droseyacres@egyptian.net. Attached for you to review. Also, Weeks Roses is a Wholesale distributor of roses that puts out the most beautiful catalog of roses. Here’s their 75 page gorgeous 2012 rose E-Catalog link for you to download and prepare your wish list. You cannot buy directly from Week’s Roses, but you can go to their site to see where to buy the roses you like and download this amazingly beautiful catalog. I’m still preparing the list of about 30 floribunda roses for the first bed if I can get the varieties I want. Also it would be good if you check again to see if your plant zone has changed. In Texas I was in Zone 8a. Now I am in 6a. It’s like moving from Mars to Venus. Still roses are a must have even if I live on Venus. By the way, I was distracted by going to the Missouri Botanic Gardens Orchid Show.

I highly recommend it. I almost, stress almost, bought orchids and decided to get into the orchid growing. Good thing I decided to stay the course. 😉 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. It’s fun, just enter your zip code and up pops your plant hardiness zone. 

In Texas (Mars) with 200 roses I was in Zone 8a : 10 to 15 (F)

Now in Central Illinois (Venus) Zone 6a : -10 to -5 (F)

“Of all Flowers, me thinks a Rose is best,”  is spoken by the character Emilia,  a character in the play which was a collaboration between Shakespeare “The Two Noble Kinsmen.”