What comes to mind when you hear the word “flower?” Rose is the usual answer. The rose is loved throughout the world. It has been found in fossil records 30-40 million years old. Wild roses from Europe were crossed with newly introduced roses from China in the 18th century. As hybridizing methods improved, new types of ever-blooming roses were quickly increased. By 1829, 2,500 varieties were listed in a catalog! And it hasn't stopped since, as newer varieties are being developed each year.

No matter whether you want to grow roses for color in the garden, for their beauty and fragrance, to cut and bring into your home, to dry, or to give to friends, there is a variety available for your needs.

There are 3 main classes of roses:

1. Wild roses - a natural species.
2. Old Garden Roses: Widely grown before the organization of hybrids. Many have been found in old cemeteries and brought back into the market. Examples are Maiden's Blush, Lady Banks, Tuscany Superb.
3. Modern Roses:

Hybrid Teas:
A medium to tall bush with big, gorgeous flowers growing one to a stem. They bloom continuously during the growing season (May - October) and are perfect for bouquets. Examples: Double Delight, New Day, Mister Lincoln, Peace.

Grandifloras:
A subclass of hybrid teas but with flowers appearing in clusters. They also bloom continuously. Examples: Crimson Bouquet, Glowing Peace, Queen Elizabeth.

Floribundas / Polyanthas:
Outstanding landscape roses. Plants are shorter, more compact with clusters of continuous blooms. Examples: Betty Boop, Eureka, Iceberg.

Climbers / Ramblers:
Have long, pliable canes that need a support such as a trellis, tree, or fence. Older varieties bloom once in the spring; newer ones bloom continuously. Examples: Altissimo, Blaze, Joseph's Coat, New Dawn

Miniatures:
Little bushes with small leaves, buds, and blooms. Ideal for growing in containers. Examples: Beauty Secret, Gourmet Popcorn, Cinderella

English / Austin:
British nurseryman David Austin first combined fragrant, full petal old roses with modern ones to get disease-resistant, long blooming roses. Other breeders are providing them now and they are known as English roses. Examples: Graham Thomas, Heritage, Abraham Darby

Shrub Roses:
A “catch-all” term for roses with a big, broad shrubby habit and disease resistance. They are covered with blooms all summer. Examples: Bonica, Carefree Delight, Knock Out, Modern Blush.

Groundcover Roses:
A relative new-comer to the rose world, these are low-growing and wide spreading bushes that will cover the ground and provide color all season. Examples: Baby Blanket, Electric Blanket, Footloose, Magic Blanket.

Selection of Roses:

Bare root roses:
Available by mail order and at the nursery. Should be planted early in the spring before growth begins. The plants should be soaked in warm water a few hours before planting and planted in loamy soil. Dig a wide hole, build a soil cone in the hole, and spread the roots over the cone. Fill with soil. Make a basin by mounding a circle of soil 3 -6 inches high and about 18 inches wide around each plant, and water well. .

Potted roses:
Can be planted later in the season. Plant late in the day or on a cloudy day to avoid the hot sun which stresses the plant. Plant at the depth it grew in the pot, gently tease the roots loose as you plant. Make a basin with soil around the plant to hold the water, and water well.

Care of Roses:

Mulch: Organic mulch will help prevent loss of moisture, moderate fluctuation in soil temperature, prevent weed growth, provide nutrients and organic matter, and provide a neat appearance. Choices include wood or bark chips, rotting leaves, compost, and pine straw. Immediately after planting place 3 to 4 inches of mulch around roses avoiding contact with canes. Mulch may need to be replaced during the growing season. A 6-inch mulch during the winter season is recommended.

Fertilizing: The pH of the soil should be between 5.6 and 7.2 in order for the plants to utilize fertilizer. Roses need fertilizer even when grown in the best soil. The best rose fertilizer is complete and balanced such as 10-18-10 or 6-12-6. Begin in the spring and stop in the early fall, feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.

Pruning: Early spring is the best time to prune. Always use clean, sharp pruners and wear gloves. Reasons to prune:

For health: cut out older, dead, diseased, and damaged wood to let in light and air.
To improve quality: properly pruned bushes will have more and better flowers and the plant will have a better shape. Deadheading is important, that is removing faded flowers. Cut just above a 5-leaf stem to promote flowers and to improve the appearance of the plant.
To control size: If needed, can be cut back by 1/3 and not injure plant. Aim for a vase or urn shape.

Preventing Diseases and Pests:
Plant disease resistant roses. Select healthy plants. Provided good growing conditions with full sun, good soil, room for growth, and adequate food and water. When watering, avoid getting water on the foliage, or water in the morning so that foliage dries quickly.

Common diseases:
Black spot: leaves turn yellow, get black spots, and drop off. Remove affected leaves.
Powdery mildew: white powdery residue on leaves. Thrives in dry conditions.
Downy mildew: yellow-edged purple blotches on leaf surface with grayish fuzz on undersides. Seen in cool, damp conditions.
Rust: underside of leaves develop rusty spots with yellow spots on top.

Common pests:
Aphids: Young leaves are curled up or distorted with sooty mold on leaves caused by these tiny, pear-shaped sucking insects. Knock off with blast from water hose.
Japanese beetles: leaves and flowers are nibbled by these _ inch long metallic copper and green bugs. Pick off and drop in bucket of soapy water. The larvae live in the ground until summer when they emerge as beetles. Treat the soil with milky spore to kill larvae.
Spider mites: Leaves are mottled yellow in hot dry spells caused by tiny spider relatives the size of pepper grains. Wash off with a blast of water.
Call the Extension Office for recommendations for treatment of diseases or pests. You will receive help in identifying problems and treating your roses.

If you have not planted roses before, you may want to try one of the disease-resistant, hardy roses for color, fragrance and beauty. It is hard not to love a beautiful rose!
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Written by Nan Colvin,
Heart of Virginia Master Gardener