Some roses requires almost no care
By LIZ CONNELL Lakes Area Rose Society

Wow! For those of us who have been growing roses for a long time, it is hard to believe there are really roses that require almost no care.

These roses are called EarthKind roses. Texas A&M has been conducting field research for years on more than 100 varieties, in search of carefree rosesones that are beautiful and can thrive with no care.

Dr. Steve George, landscape and horticulture specialist at A&M, has been in charge of the Earthkind research, the largest project on roses that has ever been done in the United States.

The lack of care, really abuse, that these roses underwent during this study is incredible.

During the study these roses were:

1. Never sprayed with fungicide, pesticide, miticide or any other preventive

2. Never fertilized with synthetic or organic fertilizers

3. Never pruned or deadheaded

4. Never received extra watering after the first year

5. Never grown in the proper pH soils

The only thing that was done to these roses was that a thick layer of mulch (3" layer of shredded bark) was applied.

These roses will thrive in any kinds of soil from the hard gumbo that is found in the Golden Triangle to the blowing sands of West Texas.

One of the first roses to be named an EarthKind rose is Belinda's Dream. It is a truly gorgeous shrub rose with large pink blossoms.

The buds are tight and shaped like a tea rose and as they open there is a wonderful fragrance. This rose was developed by A&M mathematics professor and rose breeder Dr. Robert Basye.

Belinda's Dream is named for a daughter of a friend of his who lives in Caldwell. There are four of these roses planted in front of the Jasper Public Library.

Two more EarthKind roses are found at the library. Caldwell Pink is a lilac pink carnation-style bloom. Knock Out is a cherry red semi-double shrub rose.

This rose will bloom from April through November, and if it turns warm, as it did here in January, it will continue to bloom during the winter.

There are different colors of the Knock Out rose now: pink, blushing pink, rainbow, and a double that is coming out soon.

There are 12 other roses that are designated as EarthKind:

1. Sea Foam, a creamy white groundcover shrub with double blooms

2. Marie Daley, a pink

polyantha dwarf shrubby rose with semidouble fragrant blooms

3. The Fairy, a light pink polyantha dwarf shrubby rose with double blooms (this is the only one that does not do well in East Texas)

4. Perle d'Or, a peach polyantha that blooms with fragrant pompom blooms

5. Elsie Poulson, a pink floribunda rose that blooms with semi-double flowers

6. Katy Road Pink, a fragrant pink rose with double flowers

7. Mutabilis, also known as Butterfly Rose, a china rose that has single blooms which change color during their life, yellow to pink to crimson

8. Climbing Pinkie, a pink semi-double polyantha with very fragrant blooms

9. Spice, a blush pink China-type rose considered one of the Bermuda Mystery roses that have been found growing on the island

10. Duchesse de Brabant, a beautiful tea rose with large double rose-pink blooms

11. Ducher, a China rose with ivory white blooms having a fruity tea fragrance

12. Georgetown Tea, produces dark salmon pink blooms with a strong tea fragrance

As stated, these roses were subjected to adverse conditions and they thrived. Just think what they could do and how spectacular they would be with a little TLC. A regular application of fertilizer in March and June with a light feeding in late August would do wonders.

Just like any other rose, these EarthKind roses should be planted where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.

They should be planted where they will receive good air circulation- in other words, not up against the house.

In our area it is also recommended that they be planted in a raised bed. Put a thick layer of mulch (3-4" thick) to insulate the roots, guard against moisture loss and keep the weeds from growing.

The Lakes Area Rose Society meets the second Thursday of the month at the Jasper City Hall at 7 p.m.

Members are always happy to answer questions and give advice.