There are thousands of varieties and colors of roses in the world.  Choosing the right varieties can seem impossible!  I mean really, how in the world can you possibly be expected to choose the right roses for your garden when there are so, so many stunning types to choose from?

strawberryfields

Oh my, yes, it can seem overwhelming at first.  But, fear not intrepid and potential home rose growers, with the right information and little guidance you too can plan and grow your very own stunning rose garden.

Picture if you will the absolute and stunning majesty of large shrub roses that are covered in dozens of large, beautiful and luscious  blooms.  What is more, these little beauties are great even after their blooms have faded, because of the stunning backdrop of the attractive and rich green foliage they have.

At the other end of the scale is the world’s most popular rose, the Hybrid Tea Rose – these are delicate, classy, and visually stunning.  Now if you love the thought of filling your home with your very own amazing home grown cut roses, then hybrid tea roses are a great choice, their beautiful full blossoms are simply just perfect for cutting and placing in vases.

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For a massively visual and striking statement outdoors, then you should choose climbing roses.

These are the athletes of the rose garden. They are easily trained to climb over arbors, around doorways, and over walkways.  They can climb trellises beside walls, and they can be trained to climb over fences.  For the ultimate romantic touch to any garden, climbing roses are perfect.

Do you only have a patio for growing plants? Is your garden space minimal? -  then,  Petite Roses will be an excellent choice for your situation.  These guys are fabulous and grow on very compact plants. Petite roses can be neatly tucked away into small corners and do well when grown in containers.

When it comes to purchasing your roses, although it doesn’t really matter how you do it, it is  recommended that you avoid buying those grown in containers, as they can end up having their roots grow into very tight clumps that can be easily damaged during transplanting.

Bare root (sometimes referred to as bare-rooted) roses are kept dormant and are stored without soil. Their roots are kept damp by using wet sawdust, paper, or burlap.  Bare root plants are generally planted in early spring, and they tend to adjust well to their new location.  Bare root roses are also often cheaper than potted roses.  Most plant catalogs and online sources ship bare root roses, so you should be able to find the varieties you want in this format

No matter what, don’t buy the cheapest type of roses you can get.  You will get what you pay for, and low quality roses will generally come back to haunt you later.  Spend a little extra up front and give yourself the chance to have roses that will not only survive, but thrive.

Rose Buying Tips:

• Pick a plant that has at least three strong stems (or canes).
• Don’t buy any plants that have signs of damage, look carefully for any potential signs of disease or pest infestation.
• Be sure there are no brown spots or wilted leaves.
• Look for white roots rather than dull brown or ivory roots.  White roots are a sign of good health.  Any buds should be fat and bright.
• Keep a color scheme in mind when you purchase roses.
• Purchase roses in colors that go well together.
• Don’t choose colors that clash, you will end up making your garden look cheap and not very aesthetically pleasing.

So go forth brave rose growers…

Have a ton of blooming fun!!

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