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Show The Serious Gardener By Ben Freestone "A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE..." Gertrude Stein said it all and make no mistake about it, almost everyone knows what a rose it; but poets and artists have spent generations trying to describe and paint roses. Despite all these efforts, there is no rose like the real thing the one in your garden. Hybrid teas are and always will be the rose gourmet's delight. There is no other rose to compare with them in refinement and beauty. Each year rose epicureans (rosarians) compete for large financial stakes to introduce new and even more spectacular varieties. The teas are the roses of the formal garden, the cutting bed and the florist. Many varieties are obtainable as climbers. Polyanthas roses produce small flowers less than two inches in diameter in large clusters. Color range is limited to pinks, golds and creams. Flowers have no fragrance or just a light scent. Floribundas tend to have clustered flowers somewhat smaller than hybrid teas. They are heavy flower producers good for informal hedges, borders. Climbing forms are available. Grandiflora roses are large, vigorous plants with hybrid, tea-type flowers borne singly or in clusters. This class is very close to hybrid teas and some varieties have been switched regularly from one class to the other. Miniature roses are true roses 6 to 12 inches tall or a little taller with everything about them miniaturized. In this climate they are best grown in containers outdoors in summer and indoors to a cool, bright window for winter. Some of the wild or species roses are still grown by fanciers. Lately there has been renewed interest in some of these old roses. Austrian copper is an old favorite frequently seen still around the Basin. You'll have to get a start from someone who has them since they are now rarely seen in the trade. Rose Rugosa is another good choice in this group-ihat is available-in nurseries.- It yxtjrnely hardy with bright glossy jfr-leaves and flowers about 4 inches across ranging in color from pale yellow to deep pink. They take hard freezes, wind, drought and remain quite free of disease. Let's face it, if you're going to grow hybrid roses successfully in this climate, you'll need to put forth some extra effort that will be well worth it. Roses need plenty of water, regular feedings and insecticide applications, mulching to keep root systems cool and must be wrapped or covered in winter. All roses except certain species roses are equally hardy in all their colors and varieties so concentrate your efforts on providing adequate care and don't let anyone tell you that this color or that variety won't live in our area. |