Don’t be afraid of growing roses

Last Updated on Tuesday, 8 March 2011 10:20 Written by Phillip Tuesday, 8 March 2011 10:20

Lena

Often when I suggest roses as part of a customers landscape, I get that look. You know the one….the face scrunches up and a slight scowl comes on! Many peoples first reaction to roses are “fussy, high maintenance plant”. That is true of many of the old fashioned roses. Today’s  roses have been developed for the type of people who garden today. Bailey Nurseries have been a leader in developing roses that perform in an average homeowners landscape. Lets face it, most homeowners put plants in their landscape and don’t want to mess with them ever again. The Easy Elegance series of roses were developed to do just that.

Now Baileys offer another line of no fuss roses developed by the University of Minnesota. These roses have been developed to not only grow, but to thrive in the tough climate of Minnesota. This series is called  ‘Northern Accent’….a fitting name for these plants. The first of this series released to the public were called Lena, Sven and Ole. Maybe to the rest of the country these are just names, but to us here in the upper Midwest these names immediately evoke a smile. We have all been raised here in the middle of Scandinavian descendants, on Ole and Lena jokes. While these roses can make you smile, they are certainly no joke. Now there is a new rose added to this series, called ‘Sigrid’. While Ole and Lena are different shades of pink and Sven is luscious mauve color, their cousin Sigrid is a true red. As you can see by the pictures these are polyantha roses. Which means they produce blooms in clusters. These roses have performed beyond my expectations in the garden. They are continually in bloom and have shown no  sign of any disease or insect problems. I am looking forward to adding Sigrid to my garden this spring!

Sigrid

‘Autumn Revolution’ Bittersweet

Last Updated on Friday, 15 October 2010 02:46 Written by Phillip Friday, 15 October 2010 02:42

'Autumn Revolution' Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a native plant that grows freely here in the upper Midwest. A woody vine that is often found growing on trees, these plants grow 15 to 25 feet in length. Bittersweet has thin green leave 2-4″ long with greenish white blooms in June. Hardy to zone 2, this plant is a vigorous grower that produces Fall fruit desired by birds and people alike. Often used in many Fall floral arrangements and crafts, bittersweet is prized for its orange berries. Crafters who know where these plants grow in the wild, protect these locations like a gold mine.

Limelight Hydrangea

Last Updated on Monday, 27 September 2010 03:22 Written by Phillip Monday, 27 September 2010 03:22

Hydrangea Paniculata 'Limelight'

As plants go, the Limelight Hydrangea is not a new plant nor is a plant that your Mother grew up with. In my estimation, this Paniculata type hydrangea from Proven Winners, is a shrub that belongs in your landscape. With all of the different types of hydrangeas now on the market, people are almost overwhelmed with their choices. Hydrangeas fall into 4 categories, with each having very distinct looks and growing needs.