Roses MakeA Big Splash In Outdoor Living Spaces (NAPSA)—Gardens and patios Ps are now among the most popular areas in the home. According to the National Gardening Associa- tion, Americans spend about $37 billion a year on lawn and garden products. Ea ~ ev , a. ; : a ad ' i ‘* B \ a 4 . ~ i , ; Po ‘ a ‘* Roses are a great choice for almost every outdoor space and can be planted in the ground or in containers. With advances in hybridizing techniques, roses are easier to erow, more fragrant and moredisease resistant than ever. If you have sunlight, water and a few Everything could be coming up minutes every other week, you have whatit takes. a few hints. choose the best plants is to look for and delightful fragrance to any One way to ensure that you the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) red rose seal of approval, which denotes an “AARS Winning Rose.” Only AARS winners have excelled in the most difficult plant trial in the world: two years of testing in gardens in all climate zones. They must also perform well in criteria including fraerance, vigor andfoliage. Dr. Keith Zary, vice president of research at Jackson & Perkins and hybridizer of 10 winners, offers these tips for growing roses: Contrast is key: Juxtapose any garden or patio setting with plant life to soften the hardscape of wood, rock or brick. Roses are a compelling option because they come in a wide selection of plant sizes, colors and fragrances. The odds have it: Consider framing your outdoor space with plants in groups of odd numbers. Clusters of rose shrubs in containers or a backdrop of five to seven rosebushes can bring both color roses for your garden if you heed setting. e Select the right spot: Roses like full sun and goodair circulation. A benefit of potted roses is mobility: You can movethe pots around to maximize their impact and your enjoyment. Go vertical: Place a rosebush in the center of a container or your garden plot and surround with “filler” plants at the base. The rose plant draws the eye upwards and adds height to the space, while the fillers add dimension at ground level. In pots, spillers accentuate the container for added pizzazz. Roses to consider may include 2007 Winners Rainbow Knock Out, Moondance and Strike It Rich, all suitable for the garden or for containers. These and past years’ winners are sold in select mail-order nursery catalogs and at nurseries and garden centers. For more tips and information, visit www.rose.org.
