Roses have always been a favorite in gardens, as they are one of the sweetest smelling flowers on the face of the earth. Is it any wonder that the saying ‘Stop and smell the roses’ came to be? When you take in the fragrance of the rose it leaves you with a wonderful feeling that everything will be fine.

I am a huge fan of the flowering crab tree because they are so beautiful in the spring, covered in blossoms. Not only that, but all summer long they have small berry-like apples, and many of them have very colorful foliage from spring til fall. There is one type of flowering crab that I have never grown and would like to. It is the Japanese flowering crab.

Annuals
I have grown many roses over the years, especially the hardy roses such as the hansa, Blanc de Colbert, Max Graf and many others, which did not disappoint me. I have also grown miniature roses in my gardens, which I usually just left in the fall, though I knew that they would not make it to spring. Miniature roses are not hardy in our cold zones and must be dug up and taken to a warmer spot for the winter. Or, as I did, treat them as an annual and just enjoy them for one year.

Containers
Many times we think of miniature roses as indoor plants, because we can buy them in a grocery store with other houseplants. Technically they are an outdoor plant, just as other roses are. If you have never grown miniature roses in your garden you will be amazed at the impact they will have. How can you make the most of your miniature roses? Try planting them in massed areas of your garden, or as a border. The colors are brilliant and really stand out, even as a focal point. If you don’t want to plant them right into your garden, keep them in containers, which can easily be brought in at the end of the season.