Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Yes, I’ve complained about my roses in the past. You might recall that I once threatened to rip them all out, and replace them with onions. But in truth, there are some real winners among the roses in my rain-battered garden. Take, for instance, ‘Carefree Delight,’ pictured above. It is an exquisite pink and white shrub rose. I’ve read that when it is happy, Carefree can grow quite large. Mine must be delirious with joy, for it has grown up and over the boxwood hedge. No fragrance, but no trouble, either. KLJ Score: A+
Bonica. I saw this floribunda growing in the median strips on the Upper West Side in NYC. If it could flourish there, I assumed, it would flourish here. And I was right. Bonica produces a constant profusion of lightly-scented, shell-pink bloom from late spring through frost. If you don’t already have Bonica in your collection, by all means obtain it. Immediately. KLJ Score: A+
Graham Thomas. This David Austin hybrid has lightly tea-scented, clear yellow blossoms. The flowers are lovely in bud. Directly upon bloom, however, every petal falls to the ground. At least that is how Graham Thomas behaves here, in my zone 5-b garden. I would love to know how this rose performs for other gardeners. Perhaps it fares better in areas with afternoon shade. I can only give it a modest grade. KLJ Score: C.
Mary Rose. Another David Austin hybrid, and one that is extremely well-behaved. The flowers are quite large, and emit a strong, Damask-like fragrance. If you were here, I’d make you climb over the boxwood hedge to smell this rich, pink beauty up close. Of course, a rose this sweet is bound to attract Japanese beetles. And believe me, it does. But it is not Mary’s fault. KLJ Score: A+
Heritage. Yet another David Austin rose, and English in every way. Cupped blooms are a soft pink at the center, with white outer petals. The stems are nearly thornless (always a blessing at pruning-time). I’ll let David Austin himself describe the scent: “[Heritage] has a beautiful fragrance, with overtones of fruit, honey and carnation on a myrrh background.” And remember, he is describing a rose, not a blush Zinfandel. Heritage is all the better if its weaker canes are pruned off in early spring. In my garden, it produces a huge flush of flowers in June, and then off and on again until frost. KLJ Score: A+
How would you score your own roses? Who are the winners? The losers? Let us know, in the comments section below!
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Donna says
I love all of the roses you just reviewed! I want them all, even Graham Thomas. What a gorgeous yellow! Thanks for sharing these.
Andrew Thompson says
Your Bonica looks really nice, and it sounds like it can take some abuse. I have red Knock Outs, and they are disease resistant and very, very cold hardy. But they aren't very interesting. In fact, they don't really look like roses at all. I know that all of your roses grow in full sun, but do you think Bonica could manage with morning sun and afternoon shade?
Maggie says
Kevin, your roses look really healthy. Do you spray them?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andrew – I feel the same as you about Knock-Outs. I have 3 pink and 3 red, planted 4 years ago. Not terribly interesting.
Maggie – Welcome. I do not spray my roses, but I do use a systemic called Bayer Advanced “2-in 1” fertilizer/insect killer.This formula, unfortunately, is not effective on Japanese Beetles. Thanks for asking.
Justin says
I'm so jealous of your roses. Mine look like hell! They could really use some California weather.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andrew – I never answered your question. Here goes: Yes, I think Bonica will do just fine with morning sun alone. It might even appreciate afternoon shade.
Arianne377 says
Having over 70 roses, not including those that have been root-pruned, I also use Bayer. I have tried other feeders but always return to Bayer.
Daughter got me 3 Knock-Outs but I agree that they leave a lot to be desired. Aside from 'Heritage' and a few other Austin roses, generally, Austin's are not my favorites either. Last year I put in some small-growing Rugosa's and will have to wait until June to see how they do. I love my 2 'Carefree Delight' roses, 'Fourth of July' climber, and too many more to mention.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Arianne377 – Welcome. Nice to meet another fan of 'Carefree Delight.' What zone are you in? I hope you live where the Japanese beetle does not.