Roses Worth Planting

I made my annual January pilgrimage to Hannas Garden Shop here in Birmingham. I never make a purchase on this trip. Instead I check out all the new roses they have just received and size up my order for February. They are our largest local rose supplier and I have never gotten a bad plant or rose from them.

Now in Alabama (zone 7b), you can plant roses in late February. In fact, most of my mail order roses arrive the last week of February or the first week of March.

On today’s trip I found several roses that I have found to be real winners. I don’t grow all these myself, but know people who do and in this climate they come highly recommended.

“Fourth of July” – Climbing Rose

This beautiful rose is a tall climber. Several friends grow this rose and it is a smashing hit in the garden. Full of color and huge blooms, you will love this climber…

Julia Child – Floribunda

If you have read this blog for any length of time you will know that I not only grow this rose, but I love this rose! It is highly disease resistant and a prolific bloomer. MUST HAVE!

Moonstone – Hybrid Tea

If you love cut long-stemmed roses, you’ll love Moonstone. Classic rose form. Slight fragrance. It is also a good show rose. Beautiful Color.

Cherry Parfait – Grandiflora

I love this rose. Planted enmasse, it really makes a statement. WOW! The color varies with the seasons from dark red and a little white, to white with a little red. If you don’t have a grandiflora, give this one a try….

Barbara Streisand – Hybrid Tea

I like this rose not only for its form and color, but also for its namesake and how this rose came to be named for Ms. Streisand. It is said that when approached about having a rose named after her, they suggested that she come to the growing fields and select a rose from the trial rose grounds. She selected a rose, but before she would allow her name to be placed on it, she had specimens of this rose planted in her own garden and tended them for several seasons before she would allow them to use her name on it. Pretty admirable.

So, why not give one of these a try this year? Or, if you’re me, you’ll want to try them all!

About Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener

Christopher R. VanCleave – America’s Favorite Rose Gardener Nicknamed "The Redneck Rosarian”, Chris VanCleave is passionate about gardening and growing roses. He is an active member of the Birmingham chapter of the American Rose Society, serving two terms as President. In 2007, he created the Rose Chat Podcast which has reached over a half a million listeners with news and information on growing on growing the world’s most beloved flower, the rose. He was a contributor to the 2015 Southern Living Gardening Book, has appeared on P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home television show and was featured in the June 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Locally, Chris serves as Chairman of the Helena Alabama Beautification Board where he has spearheaded efforts to create a sustainable landscape in one of the top one hundred places to live in the United States. His writing is seen at About.com and on his popular website; RedneckRosarian.com, where he chronicles his gardening adventures and explores an intrinsic mix of life, faith and gardening. An agent of change with over 20 years’ experience in process innovation, Mr. VanCleave is leading the charge to reinvigorate horticultural societies and helping them to reach their full potential in the social media age.

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