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Archive for the ‘Roses’ Category

Just like the Nike ad says “Just Do It,” this is exactly the perspective one needs in getting good at garden designs. You can always move plants around your gardens and as your ideas and taste change, your gardens can grow with you. There are some simple elements of garden design. Think of designing your garden with living art in mind being creative and free to try whatever suits your taste. There are no limitations to the creativity that’s’ within, no comparison or fear of failure. Although gardening successfully requires learning certain skills, when all is said and done a garden’s beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Just go for it and let your gardens be the expression of you.

Garden design and its principles used may be called by different names. There are three basic concepts when combined together will bring about good garden design. Ultimately your gardens’ design is up to you and should reflect your own personality and flare.

The information about Roses presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Roses or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

Order, balance and proportion are the basic structure of the garden. Order is symmetrical through repeating plants or colors. Bold or bright additions bring balance as well as adding some texture. Texture is an important ingredient. Gardens come to life with different textured plants much like the human race. All different but flowing together and being brought together through unity and harmony creating comfort and peace.

When all of the parts of the garden are flowing together it is captivating and ones’ spirit is caught up in the beauty.
Using a limited color pattern, repetition of plants and a clear focal point creates this environment. Theme gardens are very soothing: all one color, butterfly gardens or cross gardens keep you flowing in like unity.You’ll also hear a lot of talk about starting your garden with good bones. That basically means creating an outlining foundation, with trees, structures, paths, etc. for the rest of the garden to build off of. Evergreen is a favorite of the good bones.
Having a focal point is a big benefit for every garden. With no focal point the eye starts to wonder here and there without every getting a grasp of a main feature. This is not creating the harmony you desire for your gardens or creating any curb appeal. Beginning gardeners seem to pick the same flowers or foliage over and over again which has no visual interest. Planting an architectural, bold leafed plant, can restore this visual interest instead of the monotony of likeness.

Last, but not least, is adding color to your gardens. Experimenting with your favorite colors is a good way to see what works best for you. The best advice to heed though is to start out with 2-3 colors to keep the artist palette limited. You can always add new colors to your gardens by eyeballing it along the way. This way you keep the living painting flowing in the harmony you wish to relate. You will then have a peaceful retreat that you have created and enable others to share that intimate part of you.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

In the Greco-Roman culture, the rose represented beauty, love and the season of spring. It also spoke of the fleetness of time, and therefore implied death and the next world.

In Latin Christian iconography, the first use of the rose appears in the scenes representing the next world. Also used were the lily and other flowers. These flowers also became symbols of virtues and of categories of the elect. The red rose represented the martyrs, and the lily, for the virgins. The rose as the queen of flowers, was evidently a privileged symbol for Mary. She is called a rose among the thorns. The rose is also a symbol of Christ who is called the Rose of Sharon.
Wonderful examples of this symbolism are found in the gothic cathedrals and their rose windows. These circular stained glass windows enhance the three entrances of these churches. These immense roses symbolize the world of salvation offered and revealed by God to our lost human race through the old and New Testaments. Christ, at the center of these rose windows, appears usually as judge or in the mystery of his Incarnation. In the latter example we see Mary presenting the Child Jesus.
During the Middle Ages the theme of the rose garden developed from the symbolism of the rose in the literature of courtly love.

In the literature’s of these times the rose was the symbol of the beloved lady. Later the influence of the Song of Songs led to the rose symbolizing the mystical union between Christ and his Church or between God and each member of his people. Mary was honored as the model of our union with God. The rose then became a symbol of the union between Christ and Mary thus titled the Mystical Rose in many writings. Marian symbolism of the rose was later popularized by the devotion of the rosary. The structured prayer form of 150 Hail Mary’s was termed a “rosary.” Here, with the religious, the symbolism of the rosary stands as an anthology of spirituality.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Roses. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Our Lady of the rosary is Our Lady of the roses. The roses are the symbols of greeting offered to the Mother of God. The religious greet her with spiritual flowers.

Another use of the rose as a spiritual symbol is symbolic. The rose became a moral emblem to illustrate various old sayings or rules of conduct. For example: “Life is a rose. Its beauty fades rapidly.” “As the rose blossoms under the sun, I shall blossom under the eyes of God.” “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”

The rose also symbolizes the trials and tribulations of life. There will be pain amongst the beauty, blooming even in the deserts of life and thorns within the trusting of the Vine. The rose, whether depicted through the Virgin Mary or The Christ, is a symbol of love, passion and perseverance throughout all the ages and the ages to come.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

When you think about Roses, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Roses are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

When one thinks of an antique, a rose might not immediately come to mind. But antique roses have been around for centuries. Shakespeare used the word ‘eglantine’ when speaking of the rose in his sonnets and plays. Eglantine is described in the dictionary as a European rose with sweet-scented leaves and pink flowers.

If you aren’t familiar with the word ‘emporium’, it means a large store with a wide variety of things for sale. There are antique rose emporiums to delight rose growers. You can buy an antique rose already rooted from a rose emporium.

How does one prepare to grow an antique? First choose an area that allows for several hours of morning sunlight. It is best to give the plant room for healthy air movement as the bush will grow and develop. Break the soil well; a tiller is helpful should you desire to plant many plants in one area. It’s better to have rich soil in which to grow your antique. The antique will do better if you add good quality organic material and if the soil has proper drainage.

When does one prepare the area for planting the antique? It’s best to prepare in the spring or summer if you live in a southern climate. When you are new to planting, it is an easy assumption that all planting should be done in the spring. But it depends on the climate of the area where you live. If you are buying seeds, there are usually helpful maps on the back of the seed packets to use as a guide. If you are buying from a nursery, be sure to ask there. Of course, you could always try looking it up online or going to the local library or enlisting the advice of an established gardener.

Most of this information comes straight from the Roses pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

How long can you keep an antique in a container before planting outdoors? If needed, you can keep an antique in a container for several months. You’ll want to give them more attention than once you get them established outdoors. Remember to fertilize and water frequently—and don’t forget proper drainage and air flow around the plants!

Should you add mulch to your antique roses? A true-blue gardener would gasp at the neglect to add mulch! It cuts down on weeds. This may seem strange since it aids the growth of one type of plant and inhibits the growth of another. Mulching also means less stress to your roots from the heat.

How often would one water an antique? It helps to deep-soak your antique once a week—that means saturating the ground in which you have planted your rose. Several hours or overnight should do the trick. This is where it is extremely helpful to have a soaker hose for soaking more than one plant at once.

An antique rose is not disease free, but it is disease resistant. It’s still important to watch for insect or other damage. Should you spray, it is preferable to use a mild fungicide. If in doubt, read the labels on the product carefully. Prune your antique lightly and respectfully. It won’t bloom well if the new growth has to endure damage from heat or frost.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Roses. When you start sharing the fascinating Roses facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

The hybrid tea might also be called the flower of lovers. It makes the perfect long-stemmed rose. It flowers repeatedly and can be strong with the proper care. It is the resulting combination of the tea rose and the hybrid perpetual. A hybrid tea is an ideal choice to present to the love of your life, a special gift for a mother, or just to display on your tabletop. It will add a touch of elegance to any room even as a lone flower in a vase. There are at least 237 varieties available.
If you worry about thorns, you can choose a thorn less type of hybrid tea. In my humble opinion, the thorns add to the artistic charm of the flower. It demands respect and adds character.

Be sure to take care of your newly acquired plant. You’ll want to decide what to feed it for endurance and strength and overall health. Each established gardener most likely has a favorite recipe or brand of plant food. Guard against overuse when feeding. It is possible to chemically burn your leaves or stems. The food is often concentrated and requires diluting. Watering heavily also helps dilute the food for the hybrid teas to process more easily and acceptably. You really only have to feed once in the spring and again in the fall. Some gardeners may choose to feed more often.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Pruning, feeding, proper watering, insect and disease control all sound a bit overwhelming at first. But it’s actually an easy process to learn. Like any living thing, there is a necessity for proper growth and development. Try keeping notes you feel are important about your hybrid and its care. These may even come in handy should you choose to try your luck with other flowering plants. Once you become more comfortable with the care of your plant, you’ll be better able to appreciate it.

Some hybrid teas have romantic names, such as Bride’s Dream, Bronze Star, Change of Heart, or Classic Beauty. If you like card games, perhaps your landscape would be more complete with the Ace of Hearts. Like many other things, there are hybrid teas named after famous people such as Barbara Streisand, Barbara Bush, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope. Whatever your choice, you shouldn’t be disappointed in one of the most popular and beloved of roses.

It would probably be next to impossible to count all the things ever written about the rose. Often when one pictures a love scene, if a rose is involved, it would be a long-stemmed hybrid with or without thorns. Although they are not known for their strong scent, a hybrid tea has its own appeal in its appearance alone. Commercially, it is a welcomed rose. Shown in many pictures and used in many images, the hybrid is greatly admired. It’s image is used on gift wrap, tattoos, dinnerware, in wedding decorations, and especially on assorted items for Valentine’s Day, to name a few.

Sometimes it’s tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I’m positive you’ll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

To recreate the gardens of your ancestors, include the old garden roses. These date back for centuries, are hardier, and include a large variety. They fare well in poor conditions, are the easiest type of rose to care for, do best in rich soil that drains well, and continue to bloom for years.

Some types of the old garden rose are Mary Queen of Scots, Sweetheart Rose, American Beauty, Awakening, and Belle Amore.
The Butterfly Rose is an ancient hybrid from China, introduced in 1932. The blooms change colors from soft orange to pink to carmine, which makes it a delight to observe.

Old garden roses with the traditional appearance include:

The Duchesse de Brabant (a Gulf Coast rose with a light scent),
Belinda’s Dream (long stems, nice fragrance),
Zepherine Drouhin (unique fragrance),
Red Radiance (strong fragrance).

What classifies a rose as an old garden rose? According to the American Rose Society, these are plants introduced before 1867. They prefer light fertilization, a light feeding schedule, and patience. They bloom only when they are ready to bloom.

Judging seminars are held because it is a challenge to judge the old garden rose; therefore, the judging for it is not set in stone. Fewer judges are familiar with it than with the newer modern roses.
If your goal is to show your old garden roses for prizes, you’ll have to pay a bit more attention to them and prepare them properly for the shows. Things to look for include strong, vibrant blooms, leaves, and stems. They should have good color. Remove damaged petals (trim if necessary). The foliage should be clean. The less side growths you have on your canes, the better. A stem-on-stem condition is considered impairment. This is when new growth starts where old growth had stopped.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of Roses is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about Roses.

A national show was held in Dallas, Texas, in October of 2006. There are district shows and local shows around the country as well. If you are interested in competing in the rose shows, you might consider joining the American Rose Society. Through such a group, you can obtain a wealth of information and contacts.

Plenty of garden groups and clubs exist for rose enthusiasts. A short list of some of these clubs are as follows:
American Horticultural Society, Arlington Rose Foundation, Phoenix Rose Society, Potomac Rose Society, Arizona West Valley Rose Society, and Humboldt Rose Society.

If you would enjoy traveling around the United States in search of gardens to view the various old garden roses, among other types, you could try the following places:

The Pageant of Roses Garden, Whittier, CA, Washington Park International Rose Test Garden, Portland, OR, Inez Parker Memorial Rose Garden, San Diego, CA, The Gardens of the American Rose Society, Shreveport, LA, Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center, Tyler, TX, and the Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, TX.

If traveling the United States is not an option, try the local yellow pages in your area or call or visit the Chamber of Commerce in your town to get information on local gardens, clubs, and events that feature old garden roses.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Through fossil evidence, roses have existed since prehistoric times. In Asian gardens, more than 5,000 years ago, the first cultivated roses appeared. Roses were introduced to Europe during the Roman Empire where they were used for ornamental purposes. According to historians, Cleopatra is said to have scattered rose petals before Mark Anthony’s feet. Nero released roses from the ceiling during extravagant feasts and banquets that were held.

The rose is the flower emblem of England. According to English folklore, if the petals fall from a fresh-cut red rose then bad luck was sure to ensue. The red rose is the badge of the House of Lancaster and the flower of Eros and Cupid.
Exquisite and radiant in every way, the red rose is the principal messenger of love. A single rose denotes perpetual love. Two roses of any color taped or wired together signify a commitment or forthcoming marriage. Red Roses are the most popular flower in expressing love and have been the sentiment of young gents throughout the world. Making your heartfelt red roses last the longest is not always easy. After receiving your roses always remove any water vials that may have been shipped with your roses. These provide only a temporary water source during delivery and will not keep your roses but for a short period. However, is it not wise to remove floral wires that may have been attached to individual rose stems. These provide helpful support for some roses. Remove any leaves that will be below water, being careful not to scrape or cut through the green bark of the stems. Air can enter stems at such injuries blocking water uptake.

The more authentic information about Roses you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Roses expert. Read on for even more Roses facts that you can share.

Leaves left under water will cause bacteria to develop and will significantly shorten the life of your roses not to mention the horrid odor that will come forth. When preparing your vase, always use lukewarm water and be sure to use a clean container. For best results, include floral preservative if at all possible. Mix the preservative with room temperature water, in the amount recommended on the package. Floral preservative provides sugars, balances pH, and limits bacterial growth.

When preparing your red roses for arrangement, fill a sink or wide container with several inches of warm water. While holding each stem under water, cut about one inch diagonally off the end with a sharp knife or shears. Make sure to place the roses in your container before the stems dry off. Gently remove any outermost petals that may have been bruised during shipping. Removing a few petals will not damage a blossom and will often help it open more fully. Just be careful not to force open or take off healthy petals.

Display your roses in a cool location, out of direct sunlight or drafts. Check your arrangement daily to make sure it has plenty of clear, fresh water. If the water appears dirty after a couple of days be sure to replace it completely.
If some roses should start to droop their heads prematurely, it could be due to air trapped in the stems. Recut the stems underwater as described previously. Then let the roses float on the water surface with the stem ends below water and the rose heads in an upright position. In many cases, the roses will revive and harden within about an hour. It is certainly worth a try to keep your roses lasting longer. With care, your red roses will bloom quickly and should stay open anywhere from 5 to 10 days for your enjoyment.

Is there really any information about Roses that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The best course of action to take sometimes isn’t clear until you’ve listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what the experts think is significant.

Although some nurseries may specialize in certain plants, generally a nursery is incomplete without stocking roses. A nursery should offer a better selection of types and sizes of rose plants already started than any other store. Nurseries are placed worldwide. You can find nurseries almost anywhere in the United States, Australia, and Canada, for instance.
A bigger nursery would be a safer bet for ease of selection, featuring more stock, a bigger variety, and plants in different stages. You could have the nurseries order your roses should they not stock what you are searching for, or if they lack enough of your choice of rose plant. Ask about group discounts if you belong to a club or discounts for a senior citizen or even a veteran; maybe you are ordering in bulk and can get a discount for quantity.

Ask your local nursery if it ever has presentations to show you all about roses. Maybe they have a shop nearby where they sell things pertaining to roses, like souvenirs or items for the beginning gardener.

Someone who belongs to a garden club or who owns a farm may be able to provide input on nurseries operating in your area. You could call your local farm feed store for information on area nurseries. Some farm feed stores order plants from nurseries to sell at their own place of business.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Roses story from informed sources.

A benefit of visiting your local nurseries would include seeing your plants already in various stages of growth, including flowering. You can see the condition of the plant before purchase. Buying a rose already started will save you time if you are in a hurry to begin your rose gardening.

A bigger, more established nursery involves more than just a greenhouse. Much is done to maintain a good nursery. There are workers who must be trained to plant, tend, handle, load, and unload. Roses must be harvested, graded, packed properly in strong boxes. The trucks that carry the roses should be climate-controlled. The flowers may have to be hand-pollinated. There are different types of mulch, fertilizers, insect control products, temperature settings, and disposal of plants or pruned parts.

A nursery differs slightly from a garden center. A garden center could be as simple as a small area in your local discount department store. A nursery is more involved in the specifics of the planting, harvesting, tending, and selling. What some stores call a garden center may also include tools or power equipment to maintain the garden. Nurseries are more beneficial to the economy in that they usually have huge greenhouses, plants help the quality of our air, nurseries provide jobs, taxes are paid from the sale of the plants, and items are bought to maintain the nurseries
One way to learn the most about growing roses is to get a job in a nursery or start your own. If you like the idea of owning your own nursery, do your homework. Research, research, research, so that your business will be successful and a place people will be proud to return to.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

Roses may be the traditional gift given on Valentines Day, but they are definitely well received any day of the year. Buyer beware before you buy roses, know what message you are sending in the color. Men as well as women, express that they love to get flowers and floral gifts. Remember color talks! Although it is a common acceptance that all roses convey warmth and affection, the person receiving them may know and understand the meaning of roses colors and the symbolic message conveyed. It would be nice to assure that you are communicating the right message to that special person sharing a special language between the two of you.

The color of a rose can certainly be interpreted than the thought you intended. To ensure that your love (or friend) understands what the roses you are sending mean, follow the guide below so you can be sure of no misinterpreted gestures.

Orange – enthusiasm, desire and fascination

Lavender – love at first sight

Coral – desire

Pale Peach – modesty

Peach – appreciation, closing of the deal, lets get together, sincerity

Red and Yellow – jovial and happy feelings

Red and White – given together these signify unity

Yellow with Red Tip – friendship, falling in love

Yellow – Joy, gladness, friendship, delight, promise of a new beginning, welcome back, remember me, jealousy

Light Pink – admiration, sympathy, gentleness, grace, gladness, joy, sweetness
Dark Pink – appreciation, gratitude, thank-you

Pink – appreciation, thank-you, grace, perfect happiness, admiration, gentleness, please believe me

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Roses than you may have first thought.

White (Bridal) – happy love

White – purity, innocence, silence, secrecy, reverance,humilty, youthfulness, I am worthy of you, Heavenly

Deep Burgundy – unconscious beauty

Red (single) – I love you

Red Dark – unconscious beauty

Red – love, beauty, courage and respect, romantic love, congratulations, I love you, job well done, sincere love, respect, courage and passion

Single in any Color – simplicity, gratitude

Red Rosebud – symbolic of purity and loveliness

White Rosebud – symbolic of girlhood

Thornless Rose – love at first sight

There is also significance and meaning to the number of roses you send which is interesting also to note.

1 Rose – Love at first sight!
2 Roses – Mutual feelings
3 Roses – I Love You!
7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you
9 Roses – Together as long as we live
10 Roses – You’re Perfect!
11 Roses – You’re my treasured one
12 Roses – Be my steady
13 Roses – Forever friends
15 Roses – I’m really sorry
20 Roses – I’m sincere towards you
21 Roses – I’m committed to you
36 Roses – I’ll remember our romantic moments
40 Roses – My love is genuine
99 Roses – I’ll love you till the day I die
100 Roses – I’m totally devoted to you
101 Roses – You’re my one and only
108 Roses – Will you marry me?
999 Roses – My love will last till the end of time
Leaves – In general they are a symbol of hope

Rose talk is the language and trend setting is the game. It does not matter whether you are shy, trying to convey a suttle message or shouting it from the stems, saying it with a rose sends a special message. These “body language” blooms are the most popular of all cut flowers and nothing quite says it like a rose. Regardless of color, number or stage of growth, rose that are sent every month conveys “beauty ever new.” Regardless if your rose recipient is not familiar with the shades meaning or number of, one message shouts out loud and clear. The person that sends roses is a romantic and is saying something very special!

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The best course of action to take sometimes isn’t clear until you’ve listed and considered your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what the experts think is significant.

Who hasn’t heard of the most popular flowering plant of all time, the rose? The rose plant can spark a quick conversation amongst even the shyest of persons. Almost anyone can tell you of someone they know who has grown beautiful roses or of someone who couldn’t. Almost anyone can tell you of someone who got or sent roses, especially around the holidays. Even little children know what the rose plant is.

The local florist most likely has dozens of colors, types, and sizes of rose plants. It would seem to be the best selling flower of all time. The local discount store and even the local grocer carries some sort of rose plant these days.
In my opinion, the best rose is one that has a strong scent. A rose has a most distinct smell, and a scent welcome to most anyone. The fragrance is like no other and has been reproduced in perfumes and air fresheners for years. There are rose-scented oils and lotions, bath products. There are rose colors and rose images galore. You can find rose parades and people named Rose. You can even coming out “smelling like a rose”. All because of a mere plant that reached enormous proportions of popularity.

The rose plant is available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and types. It is known worldwide. The prices vary depending on where you buy or what type and size you want.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and Roses experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Roses.

Do you want a rose plant already started in a pot? You may have to repot it. Make sure you do your homework before you buy one.

When you decide what type of rose plant you’d like, think of placement. There is a plant called the thornless rose plant that will grow in the shade. But most rose plants are known to have thorns, so you wouldn’t want your small child or grandchild or frequent tiny visitors to happen upon something that is so pretty that they can’t resist grabbing and end up with an unwelcome handful of thorns. It may even sour them on the enjoyment of the rose plant for life because of a tearful memory. And roses are too beautiful to allow such a thing!

There are climbing rose plants which you most certainly wouldn’t want trailing across the ground to be stomped by animals or other foot traffic. Some roses are delicate and unfiltered light would cook their leaves to an unwelcome brown. If your rose plant is the type that grows into a bush, you would want to place it in a spot that allows for it to spread.
Rose plants carry so many different names, it’s probably enough to fill a small book! Some of the names include Rose Blaze, Rose Red Eden, Rose New Dawn, Rose Neptune, Rose Zephirine, just to name a very few. If you want a rose that sounds like it belongs in a class all its own, you could buy a Rose Paris D’Yves St. Laurent! That’s a mouthful! Happy Hunting!

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Roses. When people start looking for more information about Roses, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Roses? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Roses.

Would you like to cut down on the areas you would normally have to mow grass? You could plant roses as a groundcover. This will produce an effect that is quite pleasing to the eye. Roses as a groundcover won’t kill underlying weeds, therefore you will still need to prepare your ground to cut down on the chances of weeds growing underneath your groundcover.

They can grow out as wide as six feet and upwards as high as 2 feet. This may help you decide how many plants you’ll want to buy for adequate coverage.

The image of a rose plant is usually that of a rosebush, not as a groundcover. This is a fairly new concept. The beauty of it, of course, is more than just the benefit of coverage, but also that of gracing your yard with the ever-popular rose.
Why use a groundcover at all? It helps prevent erosion on banks, grows low, and covers a wide area. The groundcover rose is not to be misinterpreted as a ground-hugger.

It’s best to choose for repeated blooming and disease resistance. Pruning may still be necessary, depending on the effect you desire. Of course, to keep the groundcover looking its best, monitor for dead stems.

Some available choices for groundcover roses are: Flower Carpet Coral, Flower Carpet Appleblossom, The Fairy, Baby Blanket, Red, White, or Pink Meidiland, Foxy, My Rosy Carpet, and Sea Foam.

The information about Roses presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Roses or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

If you want strong fragrance, be sure to check on that feature before you purchase your groundcover rose. Many modern roses are simply not bred for a strong fragrance, but more so for your viewing pleasure.

Groundcover roses do tend to be quite thorny. Thorns for a true rose grower are but a minor inconvenience. If you’ll need access to the areas or plants nearby, you’d do well to consider placement so you aren’t continually fighting the abuse from being pricked and scratched. Weed removal is more of a challenge with this type of plant.

A particular favorite among groundcover roses seems to be the Flower Carpet Series. However, Rosa ‘Glacier Magic’ has a spectacular white flower. It is said to have glossy, large, self-cleaning flowers that are highly pest and disease resistant. The white blooms help the plant stand out and demand attention. It’s like adding a light to the darkness of a non-blooming groundcover!

Some groundcover roses don’t resemble your traditional expected vision of a rose. For example, the Rosa ‘Nearly Wild’ has fewer petals and opens wide. It’s a colorful vision that is still a joy to own.

When deciding where to plant your groundcover roses, remember to avoid areas where foot traffic would be a hindrance or vice versa. Consider whether you’ll need to drag a water hose out to the area. If so, you may want to purchase a soaker hose, and make sure it will be the proper length. If you’ll have a big area to maintain or if your groundcover will be spread out to include various areas of your yard, the purchase of a wheelbarrow could be an asset. Gloves that protect against thorns may be needed. Such items as a hoe for weeding, clippers for pruning, and knee pads could be necessary purchases.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Roses. When people start looking for more information about Roses, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO