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.