As the sun began to sink, its golden rays draped along the tree tops and rooftops, gilding everything in its lofty wake.  The underbelly of the clouds steeped in the fading light, blushed and smoldered as the day bid farewell to the night.  A perfect, splendid moment that seemed to bring out the very best, the exceptional beauty in all God’s creations.

And what is more exceptional or beautiful than a rose?  June is National Rose Month, and in 1986 President Reagan designated the rose as the national floral emblem, stating “Americans have always loved the flowers with which God decorates our land.  More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity.  For the love of man and woman, for the love of mankind and God, for the love of country, Americans who would speak the language of the heart do so with a rose.”

We have long-held the rose in high regard and for good reason; however, growing them seems an intimidating and arduous venture for many, and the plant itself seems riddled with problems that require a lot of maintenance, time and even a little prayer, but this simply is not the case anymore.  Many rose varieties were bred to be low maintenance and disease resistant with longer bloom times, gorgeous colors and exquisite scent.

Knock Out Rose, Rosa Radrazz

Compact, tidy shrub with dark green foliage and cherry-red, semi-double flowers that bloom May – September.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 3-4′ wide.  Disease resistant and a fast grower.  Foliage turns burgundy in Fall.

David Austin Charlotte Rose

Buttery-yellow, cup-shaped flowers bloom May – July with an ethereal, tea rose scent.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 3-4′ wide in an attractive, bushy manner.  Disease resistant.

David Austin Queen of Sweden Rose

Charming little buds gradually open to form wide but shallow cups in soft pink with hints of apricot.  Blooms July – September.  Exudes light myrrh fragrance.  Prefers sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Upright and bushy grows 3-4′ tall and 3-4′ wide.

Easy Elegance Kashmir Rose

Dramatic, classic dark red rose, similar to hybrid tea rose, blooms May – September.  Prefers sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide.  Highly fragrant and disease resistant.

Popcorn Drift Groundcover Rose

Small, double blooms start out yellow and fade to a creamy-white amongst glossy-green foliage.    Blooms June – September.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Disease resistant and low maintenance.

Embrace and celebrate National Rose Month by planting your very own.  Contact Sweeney’s today!  We’ll help you choose and plant the rose that’s right for you.  After all, it’s your patriotic duty.

Plant of the Week

Flower Carpet Amber Rose

Soft, orange-yellow blossoms mature to a pinkish-peach.  Blooms May – September.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 2-3′ tall and 2-3′ wide.  Disease resistant and low maintenance.

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses.  The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”

-Maud Hart Lovelace

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney