“There are only two kinds of people: Those who grow roses and those who wish they could grow roses.”

So said Steve George, a professor and landscape horticulture specialist for Texas AgriLife Extension and the leader of the Earth-Kind movement in Texas and nationwide.

But a common reaction is “What? You want me to grow roses?” said Georgia Peterson, Earth-Kind specialist intern.

Reve d’Or is a fragrant, vigorous climbing rose on the Earth-Kind list.
Chamblee’s Rose Nursery photo/Texas A&M

Gardeners have plenty of reasons to think growing roses is a bad idea: black spot, fungus, mildew, thrips, spider mites, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides.

Earth-Kind roses offer an easier option for gardeners. They are heat tolerant, disease resistant and maintain bloom production from April until it freezes.

Earth-Kind is a trademarked designation earned by specific roses after years of rigorous testing throughout the state by Texas A&M horticulture department, Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Master Gardener organizations. Evaluated statewide, the winners were found to thrive in almost any soil type, including the highly alkaline clays found in Central Texas.

“These low maintenance roses are made for someone who is beginning to grow roses or those who want a beautiful landscape for less time, money or effort,” said Elizabeth Milam, Earth-Kind specialist intern and president of the Waco Rose Society.

Here’s what the starting Earth-Kind rose gardener needs to know:

Test the soil

You need to know what your garden needs.

Site selection

* Full sun (8 hours)

* Away from trees

* Good air circulation. No enclosed areas like courtyards or small yards with high fences.

Bed preparation

* For clay soils, incorporate 3 inches of organic matter such as compost and 3 inches of expanded shale. Till well.

* If using raised beds, build them six inches higher than the surrounding grade.

* If using edging, avoid railroad ties because of creosote in them.

Belinda's Dream is one of the best Earth-Kind growers for Central Texas.
Texas A&M photo

Irrigation

* Use drip irrigation.

* Definitely no overhead irrigation during the evening and the night.

Mulch

* Layer of organic mulch three to four inches thick.

* Replenish as necessary (usually twice a year).

Fertilization

* Usually not necessary unless indicated by soil test.

* If you do fertilize, apply a fertilizer in March and June that has at least half its nitrogen in a slow release form. In August, make light application of fertilizer with nitrogen.

McLennan County Master Gardeners were the first MG group in Texas to test roses and rose trial tests continue throughout the state. The local test was from 2004 to 2009. Of the 15 roses tested, those found most outstanding for this area are the red Knock Out, Fairy, Belinda’s Dream and Carefree Beauty.

For more information about Earth-Kind roses, go to www. texasmastergardeners.com.

Jan Serface is president of the McLennan County Master Gardeners and certified as an Earth-Kind specialist.