In the garden: No-brainer roses that even a black thumb can grow

Terri Hiatt

guest columnist

No matter how hard I try to “sell” the idea of growing roses the easy way, there will always be some people who insist they can’t grow them.

But when I finally convince them to grow the roses listed here, they quickly change their tune, realizing that even they have a knack for roses.

Shrub roses

A wide category that includes roses as short as 2 feet and as tall as 10 feet.

My favorite is the “Knock-Out” series. There are several different varieties and colors in this group.

All are terrific, beginning with the original bright cerise red “Knock-Out” to the softer “Rainbow Knock-Out” with its pastel yellow and pink shades.

These roses are extremely disease- and bug-resistant. “Knock-Outs” are usually 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. A must-have for all rose growers.

Not to mention “Knock-Out” roses will even tolerate part sun.

Groundcover roses

I have yet to grow a groundcover rose that isn’t “tough as nails.”

Beginning with the “Carpet Rose” series to the newer “Vigorosa” series, groundcover roses are anywhere from 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide. They are beautiful planted underneath other roses, on sunny hillsides or anywhere where they are allowed to reach their potential.

They can be planted with other flowering groundcovers, as long as the groundcovers are not invasive. They come in all colors that other roses do.

The “Baby Blanket” groundcover rose is a medium pink, 2-foot-tall by 4- to 5-foot wide prolific rose that blooms from late May until Halloween or longer.

Rugosa roses

The majority of these roses are well older than 100. Thorny, fragrant, disease- and pest-free Rugosas usually are left alone by deer, but no promises where these creatures are involved.

“Hansa,” a magenta 4-footer, is one of the most popular and well-known. Its shiny green foliage abhors pesticides and doesn’t need them, anyway, so just feed and water them, and your Rugosas will be happy, even planted next to Puget Sound.

Terri Hiatt works at Peninsula Gardens as a buyer, designer and rose expert. She can be reached at terrihiatt@hotmail.com.