I have a secret. It’s tucked back behind my shed in the backyard. It’s my secret rose garden. I have 65 roses in my yard, and 40 of them live happily together tucked in that safe spot. The english roses greet you, along with the white climbers I’m coaxing up the shed walls. As you step onto the first patio, the pinks and reds welcome you in. And as you wrap your way up a few steps and onto the circular patio, you are surrounded by the oranges and yellows, as they invite you to bring your tea out and visit with them. I have wild roses, english roses, floribundas, hybrid teas. And they aren’t as difficult as you may think to grow. You just have to be able to live with imperfection. Mine occasionally get black spot or aphids, but it’s all right. Sometimes, like this year, they hardly grow, or they wait until the end of the season to break into song. But there is nothing like walking out, catching my “Wildfire” in full bloom, burying my head in the face of my “Mr. Lincoln,” or standing back and taking in the panorama of color.
My favorite place to get roses is Jackson & Perkins (jacksonandperkins.com). Every year they introduce their rose of the year, and it’s such a thrill to open the catalog when it comes in the mail. I will tell you the best time to order is when they have their sales a couple of times a year. They are worth waiting for — this year I purchased 7 english roses for the price of 3 regular ones. Even better yet, check the local Lowe’s and Home Depot for last year’s Jackson & Perkins roses. There’s a real deal.
Don’t be afraid of roses. They really aren’t as persnickity as they’ve been made out to be. I do find the english and wilds to be the easiest for our area. Find a semi-protected spot in the yard where they can have a few hours of afternoon sun, drop a little good soil from a bag, and plant them up to the bump (the graft, for those who want vernacular). They need regular water, so don’t be skimpy on that (and water the bottom, not the leaves, if you can — and every other day is good), and cut the dead blooms off after they’re finished. For winter, cut all the canes off at about 6 inches from the ground, and cover the whole thing in dirt. Next year, uncover to the bump, and repeat. And if all of that seems like too much, please come visit me. I love to walk my friends through the yard (ad nauseum), pointing out my favorite spots, and the best growers. My husband calls this “the walk,” and I’d love it if you’d join us.
I would love to come walk through your garden!!