Roses are a very popular flower for gardens. They grow just about everywhere and have a wide variety to choose from. Their growth habits are classified as bush or climbing. There are old-fashioned , miniature , hybrid tea, floribundas, grandifloras, polyanthas, hybrid perpituals, shrub, tree, ramblers, climbers, and trailing. They can be found in a wide range of colors from pure white to almost black. Even if you only have space for one rose, you can find the perfect one for you as the choices seem endless.

Bush roses are classified by their flowering habits, winter hardiness, and such. Even roses that are considered winter hardy will appreciate a cover of leaves or hay to protect them from freezing temperatures and snow in the winter.

Hybrid teas are the descendants of fragrant tender tea roses of China and have an odor similiar to tea or fruit. They grow from 2-6 feet tall on gracefull long stems. The are available in single or double varities. The range of colors include white, red, yellow, pink, and orange. Their fragrance is most intense in the early morning.

Floribundas will grow with less care than any other type of rose. They bear their flowers in clusters and the blooms resemble tea roses but are smaller. Floribundas were developed from the hybrid teas and polynathas. They are low in height and make excellent plantings along walkways, driveways or along a boundary.

Grandifloras are usually taller then hybrid teas and the flowers are smaller but bloom more abundantly. They make an excellent rose for cutting, showing or display plantings.

Polyanthas roses are smaller than grandifloras and grow in large clusters. They are very hardy and can be grown in many areas. They look beautiful in bed plantings, mass plantings, or in borders with perennials.

Hybrid perpetuals are an everyblooming type of rose and are very hardy.

Shrub roses grow into large, dense plants used in general landscaping.

Old-fashioned roses are the ones that were popular in Colonial gardens. They are not as attractive to look at as the newer roses but are usually more fragrant. They are very hardy, require little care and bloom abundantly in June.

Tree roses are created by grafting bush-type roses onto upright trunks. Use in formal plantings or as an accent in a particular part of the garden. Need to be protected in clold wintery areas.

Miniature roses are very small, some only growing 6 inches tall. Use in rock gardens, borders, for edging beds or in pots indoors.

Climbers produce long canes and require support. Can be trained on arbors, fences, or trellises. Most are very hardy and take little care.

Ramblers grow very fast and can develop canes as long as 20 feet. The flowers are small and grow inclusters. They flower only once during the season on the preceding years growth. They are very hardy, but susceptible to mildew.

Everblooming climbers bloom heavily in early summer with a few scattered flowers until fall.

Climbing hybrid teas do not bloom as continuously as the bush variety. They are susceptible to winter injury.

Roses can be bought as bare root, packaged, pre-planted, or potted. Be sure the wood canes are green, soft, and healthy. The foliage should not be shriveled, stunted or discolored. If possible, they should be planted withing 24 hours after purchase. Mulch them after planting and add more mulch about a month before they bloom and as needed throughout the year. The mulch will help conserve moisture and control weeds as well as fertilize the roses as it decomposes. They need lots of water during the hot summer months so soak the soil thoroughly.

Protect them in the winter. After the first killing frost, pile soil 8-10 inches around the canes and tie the canes together. Pile hay, straw or leaves on the plants. To protect tree roses or climbers, lay the canes on the gound and cover with several inches of soil. Do not remove their covers until all danger of severe frost is past.