Kansas City Rose Society
  • Home
    • Locate Us
    • Site Map
  • About
    • Our Organization
    • Our Board Members >
      • Get Involved
      • Board Responsibilities
    • Award of Garden Excellence
    • The Garden Story
    • Our History
    • News & Newsletters
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • 2021 Spring Demo
    • Photography Workshop
    • Rose Garden Readings
    • 2019 Rose Show & Day
  • Programs
    • Adult Programs >
      • Rose Garden Grooming
      • Rose Garden Readings
      • Rose Show & Day
      • Photography Workshop
    • Children Programs >
      • 2020 Virtual Art Show
      • Garden Field Trips
      • 2020 Poetry Contest >
        • 2020 Poetry Winners
        • 2019 Poetry Winners
        • 2017 Poetry Winners
        • 2016 Poetry Winners
        • 2015 Poetry Winners
  • Rose Info
    • Growing Roses
    • Ask A Rosarian! - FAQ
    • Rose Resources
    • Rose Care Calendar
    • Getting Started
    • Transplanting Roses
    • Pruning Roses
    • Winter Rose Care
    • Rose Classifications
    • Rose Diseases
    • Rose Insect Pests
    • Rose Soil Testing Tips
    • Fertilizing Roses
  • Photos
    • Videos
    • 2020 Photo Gallery >
      • 2019 Photo Archive
      • 2018 Photo Archive
      • 2017 Photo Archive
      • 2016 Photo Archive
      • 2015 Photo Archive
      • 2014 Photo Archive
      • 2013 Photo Archive
      • 2012 Photo Archive
    • Rose Photo Winners
  • Join Us
    • Opportunities
    • Membership >
      • Online Application
    • Get Involved
    • Rose Garden Groomers
  • Donations
    • Make A Donation
    • Memory & Friendship Roses >
      • Purchase Online
      • Memory-Friendship Creditcard
  • Benefactors
    • Donors
    • Directory Sponsors
  • Weddings
Picture
Picture
Picture
Q. There are thousands of roses available in the stores and online.  They all look beautiful!  How do I choose which ones to buy?
 
Answer
There are, indeed, many roses in commerce. To choose which ones are right for you, ask yourself these questions.

How much space is available? 
  • Roses range in size from tiny miniatures 6 in. tall to giant climbers that reach 20 ft. in the air.  What size plant will fit in your garden?

How much time do I have to care for my roses?
  • Some roses require more time and attention than others
  • Roses listed as easy-care or disease-resistant will need less attention

What do I want the flowers to look like?​
  • Rose flowers come in many shapes, sizes and number of petals 
  • Some bloom in clusters, and others produce just one flower on a stem
  • Roses come in every color except true blue.  They can be solid color, blended, or striped.
    ​
After thinking about these questions, look through the garden center, rose catalog, or website, and find the roses that match your requirements.  Read the descriptions carefully, and choose the plants that meet your criteria.  Don’t let yourself be seduced by all the beautiful photos!
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Q. ​Do you recommend buying roses from the local box stores, or is it better to get them from a catalog or online source?
 
Answer
All sources have their good and bad points.   Here are some things to think about

Local garden centers
  • Can be a reliable source of the most popular roses
  • Usually take good care of their stock
  • Provide knowledgeable sales people to help
  • Buying from local sources supports community businesses

Big box stores
  • Can be a source of a narrow selection of popular roses
  • May not give adequate care. Check carefully that the plants look healthy and have been receiving water.
  • We suggest you buy roses that have been shipped in pots from the grower
  • We don’t recommend the inexpensive roses in plastic bags or narrow cardboard boxes. They have had severe damage to their roots and will be a challenge to grow. 
    ​
Catalogs and website sources
  • Often have more varieties than can be found in the local store
  • Often have more unusual varieties
  • May be more expensive if you include the shipping costs
  • May be damaged in transit
  • Have limited shipping dates in spring and fall due to heat concerns in summer
Q. What roses can I plant that are easy care shrubs, but are different than the familiar Knock Out varieties?
 
Answer
There are many easy care roses that would be comparable to the Knock Outs The important thing is to read the plant descriptions carefully to make sure they fit the color and size you need for your garden.  Here are some examples:

Floribundas 
  • Grow to 3 feet high and wide.
  • Relatively small and rounded in shape
  • Bloom all summer and are usually fragrant
  • Available in many colors and flower forms
  • Vary in disease resistance so read the descriptions carefully and choose newer varieties that have been bred for disease resistance
  Polyanthas  
  • Grow to 2 ft. high and 3 ft. wide
  • Clusters of small flowers on a stem
Drift series  
  • Grow to 2-3 ft. high and wide.
  •  Many colors and continual bloom
  • Good disease resistance
Flower Carpet series
  • Similar to Drift series but shorter and wider
Picture
Picture
Examples of Flower Carpet Roses and Floribundas

​Other roses listed as “shrub roses” or “easy care roses”

There are many great shrub roses to choose from beyond the popular Knock Out series. Here is a link to roses suggested by K-State Research and Extension based on field trials at the Olathe, KS research station.
  • Prairie Star Website
  • Prairie Bloom Shrub Rose List (PDF)

​Here is a link to the Johnson County Extension publication on Easy Care Roses.  Along with rose variety suggestions, it also provides tips on caring for shrub roses in your landscape.
  • Growing Easy Care Roses (PDF)
  • JO County Master Gardner - Roses
Question -  Can tree roses be grown in the Kansas City region?
Picture

​Answer
Yes, tree roses can be grown in the Kansas City area.  However, they require some extra work because they will not survive through the winter without protection.  Here are two options:
  • Grow it in a large container that has drainage holes in the bottom, so it has good drainage.  After the leaves drop in the fall, store it in an unheated garage or similar location.  Be sure to water it occasionally so it doesn’t dry out.
    ​
  • Plant it in the ground and treat them like a regular rose bush.  When the leaves have dropped, dig a trench along the side of the plant and tip the whole bush over into the trench.  Then bury it with soil, leaves, mulch to about 12 inches.  In the early spring, before they break dormancy, tip them back up and resettle the roots into the original hole.
  • CONTACT US
  • Locate Us
  • Site Map
  • 2020, Fall Newsletter
  • View 2020 Garden Guide
  • Become a Member
Do You Have A Question About Roses?
  • Ask A Rosarian! ​
  • View Our FAQ Section
Click Here to make an online donation to the Kansas City Rose Society.
The Kansas City Rose Society is a not-for-profit organization.
Picture
Picture
Site Updated 01-12-21

Click Here to joint us on FaceBook!
Picture
Picture
Our Vision -- A World Class public rose garden where the community can enjoy and learn about roses.

Website by limestone9consulting.com
  • Home
    • Locate Us
    • Site Map
  • About
    • Our Organization
    • Our Board Members >
      • Get Involved
      • Board Responsibilities
    • Award of Garden Excellence
    • The Garden Story
    • Our History
    • News & Newsletters
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • 2021 Spring Demo
    • Photography Workshop
    • Rose Garden Readings
    • 2019 Rose Show & Day
  • Programs
    • Adult Programs >
      • Rose Garden Grooming
      • Rose Garden Readings
      • Rose Show & Day
      • Photography Workshop
    • Children Programs >
      • 2020 Virtual Art Show
      • Garden Field Trips
      • 2020 Poetry Contest >
        • 2020 Poetry Winners
        • 2019 Poetry Winners
        • 2017 Poetry Winners
        • 2016 Poetry Winners
        • 2015 Poetry Winners
  • Rose Info
    • Growing Roses
    • Ask A Rosarian! - FAQ
    • Rose Resources
    • Rose Care Calendar
    • Getting Started
    • Transplanting Roses
    • Pruning Roses
    • Winter Rose Care
    • Rose Classifications
    • Rose Diseases
    • Rose Insect Pests
    • Rose Soil Testing Tips
    • Fertilizing Roses
  • Photos
    • Videos
    • 2020 Photo Gallery >
      • 2019 Photo Archive
      • 2018 Photo Archive
      • 2017 Photo Archive
      • 2016 Photo Archive
      • 2015 Photo Archive
      • 2014 Photo Archive
      • 2013 Photo Archive
      • 2012 Photo Archive
    • Rose Photo Winners
  • Join Us
    • Opportunities
    • Membership >
      • Online Application
    • Get Involved
    • Rose Garden Groomers
  • Donations
    • Make A Donation
    • Memory & Friendship Roses >
      • Purchase Online
      • Memory-Friendship Creditcard
  • Benefactors
    • Donors
    • Directory Sponsors
  • Weddings