I have always been a fan of floribundas. But it was my wife who suggested we plant as many as we have now. At last count, 20. She loves to see a garden in glorious bloom for three seasons out of the year. And here in Alabama, there is no reason you can’t achieve that if you put your mind to it. This past weekend as I strolled through the garden snapping pictures of the seasons second flush of blooms, I was reminded of three years ago when my very first raised bed was built. It was decided that floribundas would be planted in this 3’x6′ bed. I selected two shrubs of ‘Julia Child’ and two of ‘Moondance’ for this bed. This turned out to be probably the best rose selection I have ever made. This bed is almost always in bloom, the shrubs are quite disease resistant and form nice sprays of beautiful blooms. As you can see, all four shrubs have thrived in the soil mix I put together, and still use today. If you want fabulous color in the garden and a happy spouse, give floribundas a try.
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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.
The Redneck Rosarian 
Beautiful. 🙂
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julia is spectacular….wondering how she’d do in the california heat?
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I think Julia does great in California. You won’t regret buying this beauty…. Great fragrance too!
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Wow, gorgeous blooms ! Moondance is wonderful !
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Oh, I have Julia and she is a wonderful rose – like you say, she is always in bloom. I don’t have Moondance, but this post makes me think I definitely need it! The combination is beautiful.
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Truly awesome shots Chris. I agree too that floribundas are wonderful!!
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Love the photos.
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Those are quite lovely. I have a difficult time with molds and aphids on my roses. We’re either too wet or too dry at various times.
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These are lovely. My roses are going crazy this year!!
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Just beautiful Chris. I have got to get the Moondance. Gorgeous rose. This is the first year that I have grown Julia Child and I love it already.
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Beautiful! I like that the roses are in a drift (if that’s what you call it for roses), not just in separate areas. It’s more of an English garden look and very lovely. I glad you stopped by and enjoyed the pictures of my one rose bush because it helped me find you, but it’s not much compared to all your beauties!!
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Beautiful roses.
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Wow! What a beautiful combination!
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