The other day Martha's guest was a 'rosarian" from the New York Botanical Garden. I learned a few things about planting - good to know as we just introduced 3 more rose bushes TODAY...making 13! I love that title and figured it was reserved for official rose specialists or rosologists...is that a word? When I looked it up at Merriam Webster is simply said: cultivator of roses. I'm that. I'm a rosarian ;)
Above is the view of my five original bushes. If you are considering getting one for yourself let me suggest Double Knockout. Ours are really growing up and out and I have been cutting roses from them daily. Here's the thing - when I first got these last July I was afraid to cut the roses off. Once I finally did it I was rewarded with many many more. Don't be afraid to cut some and bring them in to enjoy. I promise you they grow back.
I have lost count of how many roses I have cut this year. The first bloom opened only two weeks ago and I'll bet I have had 100 since then. Seriously. I did some reading and came across a great trick - have a bucket of water out with you to drop the roses into when you cut them. And cut early morning or late afternoon when it's cooler because the stems are more likely to be filled with the food that keeps them nourished and they will last longer in your vase. I'm sure that's good advice for any kind of flower you cut from your garden.
I noticed our newest roses came in a container from Jackson and Perkins - the same company that Martha promoted on her show. I went to their website and uh-oh.....I think I found a few more things I need for the sunny spots in our yard. Climbing roses called Stairway to Heaven? Need 'em. I'm ready to tackle climbers (I think) and so I was looking at the arches and trellis options when I saw these dome things. Need 'em. Yep, I'm a rosarian.
EDIT: Linda commented about using coffee grounds on roses....my mother-in-law in England does that too, so we have been saving both coffee and tea and have used it on the Mother's Day rose bushes as a test. I'm still waiting for that garden to begin showing optimism. (I think the rabbits have been enjoying them.) My morning check brought this.....just yummy....it's yellow down in the center.
