Roses Made Easy
Don't be afraid to grow roses. New varieties are so easy, you can just plant them and enjoy the boost of color they give your garden from late spring through fall.
The best easy-care roses
As you're shopping for roses, watch for independent designations that indicate the rose is low-maintenance.
One designation is from EarthKind. The EarthKind rose program started in 1996 at Texas A&M University and now stretches to testing grounds in Iowa and Nebraska. Roses with the EarthKind designation, which includes Knock Out, are evaluated for good performance without the use of chemicals.
Another good source of information is All-America Rose Selections, a nonprofit association of rose growers and introducers. The group recently began including the Midwest in its Region's Choice program to identify the best roses for different parts of the United States. It also recognizes outstanding roses as AARS Winners; shrub roses that have won this award include Rainbow Knock Out and Lady Elsie May.
Pictured: Carefree Beauty, an EarthKind shrub rose
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