June is National Rose Month as roses are in full bloom during this season. It is a month to recognize its beauty, popularity and symbolism.
Roses hold a prominent place in everyone’s hearts and in history. They have been used to show affection towards another person or as symbols for expressing love, poetry, art and more.
Did you know that the wild rose is the official provincial flower of Alberta in Canada? This flower comes in over 300 species, as well as different sizes and colours across the globe. With that being said, roses are not one size fits all for your garden. There are multiple types to choose from, from shrub roses to hybrid tea roses, climbing roses, and groundcover roses.
Roses are widely used as an ornamental garden indoor or outdoor plant, as well as for decoration, food, medicinal purposes and even in aromatherapy and commercial perfumery.
So, which rose is right for you? Regardless of the type, roses grow best in full sun in well-drained soil. Putting the right plant in the right place goes a long way toward growing healthy plants.
Shrub roses also known as landscape roses are great choices for landscape beds and foundation plantings next to a house. They tend to bloom a few times during the season but are notable for their cold hardiness and vigorous production of flower clusters.
Groundcover roses add colour to hot, dry, sunny areas. They are tolerant and beautiful when allowed to spill over a wall.
Climbing roses are less hardy than shrub roses. They are characterized by long, arching canes that can be trained onto fences, trellises, arbors, and pergolas.
Hybrid teas are the classic bouquet rose with feature large ornate blooms of 30 to 50 petals. This variety requires the most hands-on care.
To celebrate National Rose Month:
Plant a rose – This can make a great addition to your existing plant collection or can be a good start to creating your own garden
Visit a rose garden – Soak in the beauty that roses have to offer
Gift a rose – A rose is considered a symbol of love of any time, between a couple, parent and child, and friends