Rose gardeners often notice sudden soil disturbances in their beds and worry about damage to roots, irrigation lines, or carefully amended soil. Two underground mammals—moles and gophers—are commonly blamed, but they behave very differently. Correct identification is essential, because management strategies that work for one are often ineffective for the other. Moles are insectivores, not […]
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Hot Cocoa stands out for its unusual, smoky coloration—an earthy blend of rust, cinnamon, and deep red that deepens in cool weather. The flowers are borne in clusters, giving the plant a rich, glowing presence unlike traditional reds or pinks. This floribunda has a compact, bushy habit with good disease resistance, making it an excellent
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Deer got you down? Silently tiptoeing through the garden and munching your prize-winning roses can be frustrating and difficult to manage. As housing and commercial development squeeze these graceful marauders out of their native habitat, they’re likely to show up anywhere there’s vegetation and water – and that just may be your garden. Deer browse
Touch of Class lives up to its name with refined, exhibition-quality blooms. The flowers open in classic hybrid tea form, blending warm coral-pink with hints of apricot and gold. They are long-lasting both on the plant and in arrangements. The plant grows upright and balanced, with glossy green foliage that provides an elegant backdrop to
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Leafcutter bees (Megachilidae) are frequent visitors to rose gardens, and for rosarians they often inspire mixed feelings. Their signature damage—smooth, half-moon cuts taken from the edges of rose leaves—can look startling, especially on carefully groomed shrubs or exhibition plants. Yet these same insects play an important and often underappreciated role in the overall health and
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Polka is a dramatic climbing rose known for its enormous, glowing apricot blooms. The flowers are full and romantic, often showing subtle variations of peach, coral, and cream depending on weather and light. Their size and color make them impossible to overlook. This rose grows vigorously with thick canes and leathery foliage, making it well
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Syrphid flies, commonly known as flower or hover flies, resemble bees. The brightly colored adults are black or brown adorned with yellow banded abdomens and body markings. The broad head is about the width of the abdomen or wider and has large eyes with distinct antennae. As flies, they have one pair of wings, while
Graham Thomas is one of the most celebrated English roses ever introduced. Its clear, glowing yellow blooms were groundbreaking at the time, proving that yellow roses could be both richly colored and beautifully fragrant. The flowers are deeply cupped and produced in generous clusters throughout the season. The plant is vigorous and versatile, forming a
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Have you ever seen these critters in your rose garden? Or worse yet, do you have any of these symptoms that they’ve been there? Roses with petals that resemble Swiss cheese. Young buds and stems that have holes or are broken just below the bud. Meet the really bad guys of the rose garden –
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Sweet Chariot is proof that fragrance doesn’t require large blooms. This miniature rose produces clusters of small, fully double flowers in soft mauve and lavender tones, often deepening in cooler weather. Despite its modest size, the fragrance is surprisingly strong and sweet, rivaling many full-sized roses. The plant is compact and bushy, making it ideal
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