Many gardeners become passionate about their roses. It is easy to understand why with their great beauty in numerous varieties of sizes, petal shapes, and color; and no need to mention their luscious, lingering scent. Through the ages, roses have been the symbol of a well cared for home. Perhaps because those who have grown roses know that they require special attention. It is this special attention that reaps the most beneficial rich rewards. In addition to being beautiful around your landscape, they also make exquisite indoor arrangements, the scent from their petals can be used in potpourri, and the seedpods (called rose hips) contain a potent source vitamin C that is found in rose hip tea.
Once the gardener finds out about all the benefits of growing roses, they will want to produce quantities of these wonderful, fragrant flowers and will learn how to give them the special attention necessary.
When planning your display of rose bushes for a shrub border, it is easier to separate different varieties into small beds, although it's possible to mix any number of roses. Ten to twelve rose bushes will make a magnificent display, as well as provide enough flowers for cutting. You will need to make a bed eight feet by twelve feet or so. Any shape of bed will do, so design as you think best for your area. Traditionally gardeners have favored the formal look of a square, rectangular, or round bed edged with either stone or brick. Often, in the center for a little added interest, a birdbath or sundial can be found.
Before you select which roses you would like growing in your garden, it is helpful to check up on the different varieties, uses, and terminology.
The hybrid tea roses are the long-stemmed ones usually sent from florists. They are ideal for cutting to be used in floral arrangements. In the garden, they are often featured as single specimens or in a section reserved for cutting.
Floribundas were developed during the last century, to display clusters of blooms instead of just a single bloom to each stem. These roses are shorter and bloom more freely.
The roses that grow as shrubs for landscaping can be tall or they can be trimmed down every fall to keep them bushy. They bloom from spring through fall. Since their foliage fills in, they can be used as a hedge. Space them 18 inches apart from each other in cooler climates and 24 to 36 inches apart in warmer climates. Landscape roses have changed the way many people view roses. This variety of roses, when compared with traditional varieties, is impressive for many reasons. They do not need as much care in that they are naturally disease-resistance, grow in a variety of climates and need little pruning because of their compact growth habit. Plus their beautiful, simple flowers bloom consistently over a very long season.
Roses growing elegantly in a cluster at the top of a stake are known as tree roses. Full tree roses grow as tall as 36 inches high. Patio varieties grow 24 inches high. Miniatures grow about18 inches high. The tall variety are used to can frame a doorway or line a walk. You will find the smaller ones in containers in the garden and on the patio or porch.
Patio roses grow two to four feet tall and bloom all season. They are well suited for growing in containers in small spaces. The foliage tends to be dense so they work in great planted in hedges as foundation covers.
Cascades of climbing roses can grow over an arched trellis or be trained to grow over a fence, or up a pillar or post. They can even be formed to create a dramatic privacy wall.
