Rose originators are unceasing in their relentless efforts to supply us with new and unique creations that dazzle the senses and melt the heart. Some of the more popular recent creations include the bright floribunda Jiminy Cricket, the pure pink tea rose the Queen Elizabeth, and the bright yellow peace rose. In fact there are 5,000 different varieties of roses in the United States alone, meaning you'll all but certainly have changing tastes as the seasons progress with the dizzying array of options available.



When selecting roses, it's important to choose healthy plants, and not base your choice solely on the bud alone. Like many constructions, it all begins with a solid base. Stems should be a lush green with the roots moist. Do not assume that the most expensive rose means the best or most well-kept. The price may simply be based on the current favorite or trendy rose at that point, and not on the individual rose's quality.

Roses come in two general types, which are bush roses and climbers. Of the bush type the dominant strain is the hybrid tea, which accounts for well over 50% of all roses grown in the U.S. Other well-known bush types include the floribundas, polyanthas and the hybrid perpetuals. Climbing roses include ramblers, which are adept at covering walls and fences, pillar roses which can grow near buildins and on posts, and climbing hybrid trees.

Planting roses needs to begin with a good garden loam with organic matter, including peat moss, compost, manure and leaf mold. The bed should be prepared well in advance of the planting, to allow for natural setting of the soil.

Planting is best done in the fall, but can also take place in spring. Roses should be planted immediately after purchase, and should the roots try before that point, they should be soaked in water before planting. Be sure to dig a hole that is wide enough to accommodate the roots and allow for future spreading.

Maintaining healthy roses requires cultivation, pruning and spraying. A well cultivated bed limits the amount of watering that is required, but in hot weather the roots should be soaked about once a week. Spraying your roses every week and a half will help prevent the onset of any diseases and ward off insect attacks.

Roses should be winterized after the first frost hits by mounding sod around their bases. In areas where the weather gets very cold you'll need to remove the supports from your climbing roses. Place the canes on the ground and peg them, then cover them with soil mounds. Similarly, should be handled wisely and carefully to maintain their aesthetic appeal.

When springtime rolls around, trim your roses back to about half a foot off the ground, removing all but a few of the canes from any hybrid teas. Once they have grown out you'll need to remove any further buds, except the ones on top of the canes. By this method you'll grow strong and healthy plants with beautiful and large blossoms.