Best Rose, August 2011

August here is hot.  Dry.  And this year it's been very, very hot.  Very, very dry.  When I go outside, I'm amazed that the plants can take this weather.  I can't take it!  I run outside to check out the garden early in the morning, snap a few pictures, and retreat back into the shade and relative coolness of the house.  But, because of these conditions, I thought this would be the best time to show you what's been doing well here.  The best rose, the best perennial, and the best groundcover.   At least, what looks best this month!

We'll start with the best rose.

'Apple Blossom Flower Carpet Rose'

Roses come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and colors.  They can be disease resistant or not, popular or not, good for exhibition or landscaping, grow tall and upright or crawl along the ground.  Roses are different from most other shrubs because each rose has different qualities.  One of the qualities of Flower Carpet roses is that they are generally very easy to grow.  I like that quality in a rose.

I've had these roses for a number of years, planted in front of some low windows.  I can see them from inside as well as out, and that brings a smile to my face.  They don't have a large area to spread, so they do get a bit high, but I keep them to a manageable level (about 3 ft.) with my electric hedge trimmers.   Yes, I admit it - electric hedge trimmers!  I told you they were easy care!

Not only easy to grow but also disease resistant.  And still blooming abundantly in this heat.  Normally the blooms would be a bit more pink.  Heat affects the color of a lot of rose blooms, and Apple Blossom has been no exception.

Above shows its true color, a picture taken from this spring.

And don't forget to bring some joy into the house!  Although they have no scent, I still love to put a spray of these in arrangements, and think they would be lovely as the main feature of, or just an accent to, a bridal bouquet.


If you're wanting a low growing, spreading rose that will bloom abundantly in the heat, you may want to consider 'Apple Blossom'.  It's been a winner for me.

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