Perhaps it was the cold winter, or maybe the planets are aligned a certain way, but in my garden, this is a wonderful year for roses. Each day, new roses in shades of pink and red, along with yellow, apricot, and white, have been bursting open to join the garden party. Though roses are the quintessential garden flower, they have a reputation as difficult, hard-to-grow plants. While this may be true for certain types of roses, modern roses have been bred for hardiness and disease resistance. In the past, I did not consider myself a rose person, but eventually, I woke up to find myself a rose gardener. Take a walk with me, and you can join me on a verbal guided tour of the roses.
Like most of my plants, each rose bush and climbing rose meandering through my garden is attached to a memory or warm thoughts of the person who gave it to me. As you enter my garden through an arch, soft pink New Dawn roses climb on each side. On one side of the arch climbs the rose given to me years ago by my daughters. On the other side climbs a second New Dawn rose that was gifted to me by my dear friend. Last year, the two roses finally met at the top and made me think of all the people who have blessed me by how their lives have interwoven with mine. After walking through the archway, we spy my prized climbing roses reaching to the sky, and their deep fuchsia-colored petals have the scent of an old-fashioned rose.
Another focal point is my red, war-tested Knock Out® rose. This rose was given to me by my mother-in-law when my husband first carved out the garden almost 20 years ago. I think this poor rose should be renamed the “Knocked Down” rose. It has been abused by a derecho, a hurricane, a nor’easter, and icy winters. Though it needed a little help after it was lying under a tree for a week, this tough rose blooms relentlessly throughout the season. In a different section of the garden grow roses that I saved last year from my mother’s house. These are also Knock Out® roses, and I love the fact that I have these types of roses in memory of both my mother-in-law and my own dear mom. Obtaining these roses confirmed a few lessons. Some gardeners have learned the hard way that if you have a beloved plant in a garden that you are leaving, take it with you. Often, gardeners have generously left their cherished plants for the next homeowner, only to drive by and find the garden empty. When I cleaned out my parents’ home, I contemplated leaving the roses. At the last minute, I decided to take them. What I thought was one giant rose was actually three intertwined roses in a small box that my dad had built 30 years before. I think he was trying to replicate Fort Knox. Eventually, I dug out the roses and brought them home while they were full of buds. I planted the roses full of anticipation, only to realize that they were dying. I had to cut all the roses down, buds and all, fearing I had lost them. With a lot of water and a few tears, eventually the roses came back, and I have happily saved mom’s roses for my own garden. Incidentally, I drove by the house recently, and they have removed all vegetation from around my parents’ house, including the Nandina and many hydrangeas that I had given them through the years. If you are moving, take your favorite plants with you!
In addition to all of these memories, I have amazing pink roses and yellow Julia Child™ roses from my dear sister-in-law. Peach-colored roses from my neighbor/friend give brightness to our shady side yard. Finally, I have the many roses from my Scottish gardening friend, Esther, who I always remember when I’m working in my garden. Standouts are the white Meidiland Rose® and, of course, the apricot climbing rose, Colette®, that she gave me “to remember her by” as if I could ever forget.
To keep your roses blooming throughout the season, be diligent about dead-heading. As soon as you see signs of the dreaded black spot, treat your rose and remove any infected parts. Clean your pruners with each cut, so that you are not spreading the disease. I remove aphids with a forceful spray of the hose, but you can also use insecticidal soap. Roses need healthy soil and full sunlight. They also need consistent watering and well-drained soil. Use mulch to both retain soil moisture and protect them from winter freezes.
We would love to hear about the plants that bring you fond memories. Send your questions and comments to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
