Master Gardener: No Fault Rose - is there one?

I don’t have a single rose bush in my yard — never did I ever want one, until recently. 

Growing up, my mother loved and cared for her roses faithfully. I can’t tell you how many times I was injured by the thorns from being forced to help prune or pick up the trimmings for the burn pile. No gloves ever protected my young hands. 

When I got older, my friends would complain about the many diseases, insects, and other related pests that were constantly attacking their prized roses. It just didn’t seem worth it. 

Well, that was before I met a gentleman who enrolled in the Ohio State Master Gardener’s class. From the very first session he discussed proudly his roses. Several other members of the class were asking questions like where to buy, what is the best, how to care for, and when to plant. 

Looking for a good non-piercing glove

I sat within nearby listening distance and found myself wanting to devote some of my time growing a rose in my yard. I could hardly believe it. Each week he gave us more valuable information. First, I must find a good non-piercing glove — I don’t care how much it costs. So, I am doing some research.

I’m reading about Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Polyanthas, Miniature Roses, Climbing Roses, Shrub Roses, Tree Roses, and Species Roses.

My head is spinning from all the choices. Which one is best?  I am learning about their descriptions, planting requirements, any special needs each rose may require, propagation process for multiplying, the many uses of each rose, and their ever so many varieties.

Where is the best location in my yard for this new gem? 

What soil is best, does it prefer sun or shade, how tall or wide will it get, will it survive our harsh winters, what kind of protection should I provide, should I buy a grafted plant, will my new plant grow so tall that it will require staking, how will it look as a cut flower, do I want an old established rose or one of the many new ones developed ...

Will I have time to give it special needs, how will I care for the blooms, how much space do I have and how far apart should I plant them, do I want a climber, a tree rose to make my neighbors envy, do I want fragrant, do I need to divide an area with a shrub, how will I prune with all those thorns waiting to attack me, maybe a container, one that is rich in vitamin C and can be used in cooking or as a medication, or one that will attract birds and wildlife during the cold winters? 

Excited for new adventure with roses

The choices are countless. It will take me awhile to decide. 

I’m really excited about my new adventure with the rose (never in my wildest dreams would I ever think I would pamper one). This has got me thinking — with all the modern ingenuity you would think the horticulturists would conjure up a beautiful rose with NO thorns. I would like to be on that team — probably would win a Nobel Prize.

So, I would like to thank one of the newest Sandusky-Ottawa County Master Gardeners for his in-depth knowledge of roses that spiked my interest (and others in the class) in something that I thought never would be. I have heard the new class members say that there is so much to learn and how would they remember it all. I think it is a wonderful sign that we are already learning from our newest members.

I am googling Amazon to look for a full-proof pair of non-penetrating gloves and tomorrow off to the nursery for the perfect rose plant. I hope this sparked your interest also.

Susan La Fountaine is a Master Gardener with the Sandusky and Ottawa County Extension Offices.