I think I’m well on my way to fulfilling my New Years Resolution to be more organized, at least in the garden. I don’t make any promises about the rest of my life. Planning the rose garden is an exception.

I’ve completed making a map of the garden and have started entering rose names into a spreadsheet. Since this is the first time I’ll have everything in one place, it’s quite exciting. I already see that I have room for a few new roses.

Choosing the Right Rose Varieties

There are so many roses, which ones to pick can be overwhelming. There are many things to consider when choosing. Do you want roses to cut and bring into the house? Or do you want a splash of color in the yard? Roses come in all shapes and sizes.

To get an idea of what is available, type some rose nursery names into Google and see whats out there. Weeks Roses, Conard-Pyle, and don’t forget the heritage roses offered by Pickering Nursery or Ashdown Nursery. These are just a few places to give you a taste.

Weeks and C-P are wholesale nurseries so you can get their roses from local nurseries. Their sites should have a place where you can find what local places sell their roses and their pictures are very worthwhile. Another site that is good, particularly if you want to see a specific rose, is www.helpmefind.com.

Planning the Rose Garden

Now lets narrow things down. What are you after? Color? Form? Fragrance? Floriferousness? (I think thats a word) I mean to say lots of flowers.

Now that you have an idea of what you want in a rose, you’ll want to find varieties that meet your criteria. Here’s the commercial. Go to a local Rose Society meeting, meet the folks and ask their opinions of what grows well in your area. Go to the American Rose Society web site  and on the right side of the home page is a button to find a local society. Click it and you’re on your way!

Where to Plant Roses

While you’re waiting for spring, start thinking where to put your new roses. They like at least five hours of sun and well drained soil. I’ll write more about that in the next two months. Many Rose Societies have planting and pruning programs in April so plan to attend one. There’s nothing like first hand experience.

The daylight is getting longer and on those few days that havent been overcast the sun has had some warmth. Spring will be here soon. To get ready for the garden, we’ll need clean, sharp tools. If you’re like me, you have to find them first. I’ll talk a bit about sharpening in March and have a few more suggestions for garden preparation. For now, enjoy the catalogs and rose photos and dream of warm weather.