Roses - Which is the Best Variety for You?


authors begin the encyclopedia with "wild roses" and end up with a discussion on my favorite roses, the miniatures and dwarfs. Here is just a sample of the typical information provided for each rose variety. I must admit to being partial for the particular rose selected to illustrate their entries.

Rise 'N' Shine
Botanical grouping: Miniature
Parentage: Little Darling x Yellow Magic
Other names: Golden Sunblaze, Golden Meillandina
Other varieties: Climbing sport from United States, 1990
Year: 1977
Origin: United States
Description: This justly admired rose has upright sprays of elegant buds which open to deep yellow, hybrid-tea shaped small flowers. These keep their colour well and may be cut successfully. Attractive, light green foliage covers the bush, which grows up to 50 cm (1 ½ ft.).
Flowering: Very free flowering through summer and autumn.
Cultivation: Use for a low hedge or border, or grow in a suitable container.

I find a major flaw in this portion of the book. The authors fail to provide the growing zones for each species. This necessitates having access to another book that does provide this information. I suspect someone specializing in rose gardens would have a bookshelf with both the books discussed in this column and many more besides.

Conclusion:

These books will be an excellent addition to the bookshelves for anyone growing roses. I am startled that reading this book convinces me I don't want to try roses again. The excellent section on cultivation makes me realize that roses require more maintenance than is practical for a disabled gardener. I'll settle for enjoying them in my father's rose garden.

I would love feedback from some rose growers. Can you identify those that are really require low maintenance? For me, this would be a rose satisfied with only a yearly pruning and high disease and pest resistance. Withstanding drought conditions and generally poor soil conditions would also be a requirement. My gardens have to take a great deal of being ignored when physical problems overwhelm my ability to properly tend the garden. Am I right in concluding that roses are ruled out?

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