Eco-friendly roses even for shade

I've always rejected the notion of growing roses seriously because I loathe spraying. Even if it were perfectly harmless, it would rival tax preparation as my least favorite thing to do. Maybe that's why rose gardens are pretty rare in the U.S. compared to countries with more avid gardening cultures like England, because they're so much work, filled as they usually are with the hybrid teas that produce the biggest flowers. So with the public's increasing concerns about lower maintenance and eco-friendliness, you've got to wonder how the rose world is adapting. Let's say the results are mixed.

“Drift roses” like these are being touted as the next big thing.

The powers that be

To a surprising degree, the traditional rose world is still wedded to its chemicals. Witness the American Rose Society asserting that spraying with pesticides and fungicides is not only okay but essential for the "devoted rosarian." And the All-American Rose Selections contribute to this irresponsible attitude when they select hybrid teas and other modern roses that produce great cut flowers only through regular chemical intervention. This then influences what large sellers like Jackson & Perkins offer and what rosarians buy, no matter how poorly the darn plants perform in the garden.

Old roses

For serious rosarians there are more sustainable alternatives to hybrid tea roses and they're what are called old roses, many of which are easy to grow, disease resistant, and graceful in form (not like the scraggly-looking hybrid teas). For a selection that's often called awesome, check out the Antique Rose Emporium. Their roses were chosen for the ability to survive with no care, even in tough climates like those in Texas. And unlike most newer roses, they're fragrant. Some, like floribundas, bloom throughout the season; others bloom just once. I recommend choosing roses that are winter-hardy to Zone 6 or colder (lower numbers). At only $17 each, they make great holiday gifts, with delivery in the spring.

One questionably happy note has been the huge popularity of roses produced by David Austin, a breeder with a cult-like following in the rose world. Despite claims of improved disease-resistance for David Austin roses, their performance in non-English climates is spotty, as evidenced by the persistent presence of black spot on the two I tried in my own garden.

Landscape roses

So what about the rest of us? --You know, gardeners who prefer lush mixes of many different species, not monocultures of one plant, even prize-winning roses. To us, rose gardens look ridiculous, filled as they are with those leggy hybrid teas. Those aren't plants -- they're blossom-holders! The good news for us is a hot-hot trend in horticulture today-- landscape roses, also known as shrub roses. They're fuller, better looking plants and they're disease-resistant enough to require no spraying at all, and minimal watering. What's more, they bloom their guts out all season, until December in this area. They'll even bloom without spring fertilizer applications, although less abundantly than with them.

Blushing knockout

Take "Knockout" roses, for example, reportedly the most talked-about rose in the last 100 years. Notice them along 16th Street above Military Road. Planted in the inhospitable median strip, they were still blooming like crazy and sporting disease-free foliage in mid-November. And their drought-tolerance is so amazing, it's no wonder they've won Texas A&M's "Earth-Kind" designation.

To recommend more great-looking, easy-care landscape roses, I consulted Angela Treadwell-Palmer, rose expert with the National Arboretum. She's on a mission is to "free the roses -- from the rose garden," so she's one of us. For roses that combine well with the rest of your plants she recommends: The Fairy, Meidilands, Knockouts, Simple Gifts, Polar Ice, Carefree Wonder, and Carefree Delight. On the whole she thinks Knockouts perform better than the Carefree group. But I say let's not forget the 18-inch-tall Flower Carpet rose, which sold 12.5 million in its first year and now makes up 10 percent of the rose market. They bloom heavily all season -- even with minimal watering -- and show no signs of black spot. They're now available in six colors. Or if you're adventurous, try any of the new Drift roses being touted by breeders as the next hot thing in roses.

Got shade?

Surprise! There are even landscape roses that bloom despite "heaps of shade," to quote Treadwell-Palmer. She explains that they won't bloom as profusely as they would with more sun but because they're such prolific bloomers, there are still plenty of flowers. For shady spots receiving as few as two or three hours of sun each day she recommends Meidiland roses (especially fuchsia), Polar Ice and Double Knockout.

Rugosa

Finally, I'll put in a plug for the fabulous old-fashioned rugosa roses, which thrive in cold and hot climates, need only half-day sun, and tolerate salt. They're the only rose seen regularly on plant lists for xeriscapes, which speaks volumes, and unlike the landscape roses listed above, they're powerfully fragrant. The only drawback (to some) is their limited repeat and less-than-delicate appearance.

Sources

With all this good news -- good-looking, problem-free roses -- there's no reason to avoid roses any longer. Here are some respected sources: Antique Rose Emporium, www.antiqueroseemporium.com; Heirloom Roses, www.heirloomroses.com; Roses Unlimited, www.rosesunlimitedownroot.com; and right here in Maryland, Carroll Gardens, www.carrollgardens.com. All will provide gift cards at the time of purchase, with delivery in spring. Gift recipients then have plenty of time to change the color, if desired.

Master Gardener Susan Harris writes about gardening for UDC's Cooperative Extension Service and teaches gardening privately; see - thegardeningcoach.com. She also blogs at gardenrant.com and takomagardener.typepad.com.

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