Karinkay

Roses can be the showpiece of a garden, but many gardeners, even those who are experienced with other plants, are intimidated by the high-maintenance reputation of roses.

What most gardeners unfamiliar with roses don’t understand is that this reputation, while well-founded for gardens boasting a selection of rare or delicate varieties of rose, doesn’t by any means apply to all roses.

In fact, by choosing plants which are appropriate to the region’s climate and soil, and have been cultivated specifically for disease resistance and hardiness, adding roses to one’s landscape can be hassle-free.  After all, there are thousands of varieties of roses, and rose enthusiasts have been actively improving these varieties for years.

Decide which category of roses will best suit the landscape.  There are shrub roses, tea roses (these are the traditional single-stemmed, spiral bloomed roses most are familiar with) and even climbing and trailing roses.  Then, check with a local garden center or gardening club, or go online and ask at a rose gardening forum, to find out which varieties of the type of rose chosen will require the least maintenance.

Roses are best transplanted when dormant in the fall or early spring—planting at these times reduces the stress of transplanting.