Choose Your Roses Wisely

There are so many different types of roses in so many varieties and colors, that it might seem overwhelming at first.  Choosing wisely is far easier if you give some thought to your garden layout before venturing to the garden center or browsing the catalog.

Consider, first, the types of roses available.  Large shrub roses have great presence and are usually covered with large, beautiful flowers.  They look wonderful along the front and sides of your house, or as accent plants throughout your garden.  Even when not in bloom, the rich green foliage of these bushes is a pleasure to see.

More delicate than shrub roses, but no less visually stunning, are hybrid tea roses.  Blessed with full flowers that are a delight to view, they make the perfect cut flower, allowing you to bring some of the beauty of your garden inside.

For great drama with a touch of romance, little can rival a climbing rose in full flower.  Whether you train them to climb a wall or trellis, or surround a doorway, the look is striking.  Imagine a covered walkway to your front door with climbing roses literally surrounding you as you approach.  Enchanting!

Even if you don't have much space, you can still have roses.  Petite roses are compact plants which can be planted in small areas of your garden.  Even if you don't have a garden, petite roses thrive in containers as well.  Enjoy the beauty and elegance of roses on your patio or terrace without the need to do any planting at all.

Roses may be purchased in three ways - in pots, wrapped inside a plastic bag, or bare root.  How you purchase them is entirely up to you, but roses in pots will probably have the most difficulty adapting.  Many do purchase this way with great success, but there is simply a greater chance of root damage when transplanting potted roses.

Bare root roses are most frequently the choice for catalog and online stores because they ship so well.  They're kept dormant and stored without soil, with damp sawdust or burlap used to keep their roots moist.  Bare root plants are typically planted in early spring and adjust well to their new home.  They also tend to be cheaper than potted plants.

Don't, however, let price by the only consideration when choosing roses.  As with most expenditures, buying the cheapest is not always the most cost effective, especially if you’re inexpensive roses die two weeks after purchase.  Choose healthy, good quality plants first, and then get them for the best price you can.

If you are shopping locally, inspect the plants carefully.  Choose plants that have at least three strong canes or stems.  Look for any signs of distress or insect infestation, and move on if there's any damage to the plant.  Your new plant should have white, healthy looking roots and plump buds.

Finally, keep your color scheme in mind.  Complementary colors will give your garden an overall pleasing look, while colors that don't look good together will appear jarring and cheap.