EarthKind Rose Test

If you think that all roses are fussy, think again. A statewide garden trial is testing roses that will not only survive but thrive without chemical pesticides or fertilizers and without special soil amendments other than a little compost and mulch.

The Brazoria County Master Gardeners are currently testing eleven varieties including floribundas, climbers, minis, grandifloras, and shrubs.

The plants were planted mid May, 2006.

The test goals include:
- Planted in native gumbo soil
- No use pesticides and fertilizers
- No pruning or deadheading
- Minimal use of irrigation system

Trial Roses

  • Carefree Beauty
    Shrub, 5′x5′, medium pink, semi-double (15-20 petals), repeat blooming, moderately fragrant, produces orange hips, excellent cut flower, hybridized by Dr. Griffith Buck, also known as “Katy Road Pink”.
  • Dublin Bay
    Large flowered climber, 10′x5′, medium red, double (25 petals), repeat blooming, very fragrant.
  • Earth Song
    Grandiflora, 4′x4′ (5.5′x8.5′ in the south),deep rose pink, double (25-30 petals), repeat blooming, fragrant, Buck.
  • Flora Dora
    Shrub, 3′x3′, medium red, double (24 petals), repeat blooming, lightly fragrant.
  • Penelope
    An oldy – 1924, hybrid musk, 8′x5′, light pink, semi-double (16 petals), repeat blooming, very fragrant, produces orange hips, has few thorns, tolerates some light dappled shade, makes a very nice mannerly climber.
  • Prairie Harvest
    Shrub, 4′x4′ (6′x9′ in the South), light yellow, very double (43 petals), repeat blooming, fragrant, hybridized Buck.
  • Quietness
    Shrub, 4′x4′ (4.5′x6′ in the South), light pink, very double (41+ petals), repeat blooming, very fragrant, Buck.
  • Seminole Wind
    Large flowering climber, 12′x8′, coral pink, very double (142 petals), repeat blooming, fragrant, also known as Rosarium Utersen”.
    Rosarium Utersen”.
  • Summer Wind
    Shrub, 5′x5′ (5′x6.5′ in the South), orange pink, single (5-9 petals), repeat blooming, fragrant, produces hips, tolerates some light dappled shade, Buck.
  • The Fairy
    An old-time favorite, introduced in 1932. Polynatha, 3′x4′, light pink, small double blossoms (20-25 petals), repeat blooming, not fragrant.
  • Winter Sunset
    Introduced in 1997, shrub, 3.5′x3.5′, yellow blend, double (26-40 petals), repeat blooming, moderately fragrant, Buck.