caring for roses

How to Prune Roses

How to Prune Roses

The world’s favorite flower just might be the rose, inspiring epic romantic poetry, sonnets, even wars, for thousands of years. And, in addition to bestowing elegance and altering the course of history, roses offer us an astonishing variety of flower types, fragrances, and colors! So we want to keep them looking their best, and proper pruning can significantly improve most roses’ blooming performance and overall health.

How to Grow Roses in the Pacific Northwest

How to Grow Roses in the Pacific Northwest

You and your rose soul-mates have found each other. Now what? How do you keep them happy and thriving in our maritime Pacific Northwest climate? Roses are not completely carefree, but with a few basic care guidelines, you can grow them successfully and enjoy their beauty for years to come.

My Favorite Roses

My Favorite Roses

I'd like to share my observations about some of my favorite roses, which I currently enjoy both in the garden and in bouquets at home. The first rose I planted was 'Altissimo' because I thought it best to start with a red rose.  By autumn of that year, I was sold on roses. The rose grew about 6 feet, had large deep red flowers that continued to bloom all summer, a moderate fragrance and large hips of a glowing orange suitable for fall bouquets.