Love Planted A Rose Garden | June Is National Rose Month

June Spring Bloom | The Floribunda Rose Garden in Full Bloom

“Love planted a rose and the world turned sweet ” ~ Katherine Lee Bates Floribunda Rose Garden in Bloom June was declared National Rose Month by Ronald Reagan in 1986. The Northeastern Illinois Rose Society was proud to play a role in having the rose named America’s floral emblem while Continue Reading

A Spring Garden Comes To Life

P. Allen Smith is Wonderful with Kids

Heaven “scent” ‘Nevada’ is blooming. When the wind whispers through its softer than angels’ wings petals, one has the allusion that butterflies are fluttering all about. Its a magic rose flower bush. Simply breathtaking. The cool spring continues in Central Illinois. This coolness allows flowers to last and bloom stages Continue Reading

The Coolest Winter Roses

Oso Happy Candy Oh!

Fall of 2013 was the first time I planted roses in the fall. Stunningly naïve of what winter had in store for us I now call the surviving roses the ‘Ice Princesses.’ I usually buy roses in the spring and plant them well after any chance of a late hard Continue Reading

Planning A Spring Rose Garden

Gene Boerner Magnificent Floribunda, 2013 spring bloom

Growing roses can be easy. Most gardeners tell me they want a rose garden. Time constraints today demand easy steps to see quick results and the considerable cost that we invest in our gardens require lasting success. When asked why they don’t grow roses most people tell me they think Continue Reading

Roses for a Life Time, Chicago Flower and Garden Show

Stormy Weather, Large Flowered Climber

Sweet Home Chicago  I grew up 38 miles north ‘as the crow flies’ along the beautiful N. Shore of Lake Michigan. Next Wednesday, March 19, at 11:00 AM I’ll be talking about rosesat the Chicago Flower and Garden Show. I wish Lynn Arthur and my mother could be there. Here’s Continue Reading