Any self-respecting, rose growing gardener knows that the least you can do for your roses is more than you would do for any other plant in your garden…and still, that usually isn’t enough. Roses require constant vigilance in order to nip all problems in the bud (pardon the pun).  

My roses are planted in full sun, protected from wind. I feed them like clockwork, on schedule, from April until September. They get sprayed to keep black spot at bay. When winter approaches they are bedded down with manure, lime, and mulch to keep them healthy and protected until spring. What more can I do? Of course, if I leave home for a week or so in the summer I may return to a most unpleasant sight as fungus and insects and weather take over in my absence.

So, you can understand why I am puzzled because there’s a rose on my street that I  watch all summer…on the north (sunless) side of my neighbor’s house … climbing … thriving … reblooming … with most of its leaves intact and no black spot! And, there is rarely anybody at the house! What is it with these plants. Do they really not appreciate a good life. I have to wonder if a bit more neglect is actually the secret to a happy rose.