Selecting a "good" rose bush at the nursery or garden center can be intimidating or even overwhelming. I see the display of roses in full bloom and want one of each because they are so pretty. But this is not the smart way to buy a rose! Look for a healthy plant -- and a rose you love -- to grow in your flower garden.
Help for Beginners
If you can, it's a good idea to do some research ahead of time so you have a list of varieties you would like to look at and maybe grow. Certain roses do better in certain parts of the country, depending on soil and weather and the prevalence of pests and diseases.
Your local garden club, rose or horticulture society, a gardening friend with many roses, your local county extension, a local public garden, or a reference book or two on roses may be good sources of information. Everybody has their own opinion about roses, so check with multiple sources.
At the nursery, tell your sales staff you need a rose that is disease resistant and known to be easy to grow in your local area. It must also be reliably winter hardy in your zone if you are gardening in a cold winter climate. If there is nobody at the nursery or garden center who knows in detail about the specific roses they sell, you may want to shop elsewhere.
Overall Appearance
A healthy rose in good condition
A healthy rose in good condition
In other words, it should be bursting with vitality and ready to grow! Happy Planting!
MORE ON BUYING ROSES:
This article is part of the How To Buy A Great Rose Series:
ENJOY!
All Flower Gardens Articles So Far
Copyright 2006 Barbara Martin
