Why I Fell in Love with Roses

By Nery Voss, FBMG, S2002

 

I remember it like it was yesterday, but it was ten years ago. I was having a conversation with one of my gardening buddies and vehemently explaining to her why I refused to grow roses: “They are too much trouble, taking care of them is a full time job, and they cost too much”.

 

My friend assured me there was a rose with my name on it but I just had not found it yet. I thought a while about our conversation and the next day I went to my favorite local nursery in search of “my rose”. The attendant pointed me towards “Nearly Wild”, an old garden rose, and told me I could not kill it, even if I wanted to. That was endorsement enough so I took it home. I had the good sense to amend the soil with mushroom compost before planting, watered it and started counting the days until it would perish.

 

I did not kill “Nearly Wild”. In a few weeks my beautiful rose started blooming like crazy and all of a sudden my confidence level as a rose gardener shot up 100%. I proceeded to do research on the web, talked to friends and neighbors, and visited the Rose Gardens at the Extension Office. In no time I learned the few basic principles to growing beautiful, low maintenance roses.

 

The Demonstration Rose Gardens are a wonderful resource for beginner and advanced rose gardeners. You can walk around the gardens and discover what appeals to you: Is it an antique rose? A shrub? A climber? A subtle fragrance? A vivid color? After noticing a variety that “speaks” to you, feel free to contact anyone on The Rose Garden Committee to discuss selections suitable for your garden.