Rose Growing Tips and Garden Tour

P. Allen Smith provides tips for growing roses while giving a tour of his new rose garden. See this recent addition to the Garden Home retreat in this video:

This oval-shaped rose garden has both early varieties from the 19th century and new hybrids such as Drift and Knock Out and is circled by a double row of oak trees. Ornamental features include a hand forged wrought iron gate at the southern entry, three brick garden houses and statuary, giving the garden an old-fashioned feel.

Here are some design tips for planning your own rose garden:

When planting large drifts of roses, use two shades of the same color, one darker and one lighter, to make it more visually impelling.

Complement roses with companion plants including annuals, perennials, climbers and gentle vines such as clematis. Use flattering colors and textures.

Boxwood is a versatile and evergreen shrub that is a great choice for the “bones” of the garden and adds interest when roses are between bloom cycles or go dormant in winter. In this garden, the Green Velvet variety was used to border the flower beds; it is an excellent performer and very hardy.

If you are growing roses for the first time, start with varieties that are easy to grow, such as modern hybrids that are disease resistant and floriferous like Drift and Knock Out.