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You have heard us talking about our roses so we thought it’s time for us to be quiet for a while and let some others share stories about their favorite Weeks Roses. We queried garden professionals from around the country to share their insights about our roses. We will be featuring these thoughts in future newsletters. This month we begin with author of “Simply Roses” Karen Dardick. Karen lived in California before moving to the more humid climate of Natchez, Mississippi about five years ago. When selecting roses for her new home she looked for roses that could cope with the high humidity and heat. “The top star in my garden, of course, is Home Run®,” |
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Karen begins, “It has beautiful shape, first to bloom and last to stop, and of course exceptional disease resistance.” She also appreciates the new Pink Home Run®. Natural disease resistance is a highly sought after quality for roses grown in all climates, but particularly in areas where hot and humid conditions are common. Karen adds, “I must also praise Julia Child for fragrance, color and flowering.” Julia Child is an All-America Rose Selections (AARS) winner with buttery gold clusters of fragrant licorice candy and spice. For unique colors, “The list must include Hot Cocoa™ for exotic colors and good repeat flowering.” Hot Cocoa, like Julia Child, is one of Weeks Roses Easy to Love™ roses, known for natural disease resistance. |
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As for new roses, “Dick Clark is a great addition to any garden for fragrance, lovely flowers and great colors.” This 2011 AARS winning grandiflora showcases cream and cherry, blushed in burgundy flowers. Karen’s final comments, “Tom is an incredible hybridizer!” Thank you Karen, we appreciate your kindness. Karen’s Book Simply Roses is available in book stores everywhere. |
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Sharon Cohoon is a Senior Garden Writer for Sunset Magazine. She provides insight to western gardeners in a variety of climates. “If I had to choose just one, it would be 'Scentimental™',” Sharon advises. Why? “I don’t think a rose can get much more romantic.” She describes the “battle” between the rose red and white in every flower. “I love that each bloom is different,” and the AARS judges must have agreed when they selected the fragrant Scentimental for honors. |
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Other roses that Sharon has enjoyed in her garden include Betty Boop™ and Watercolors™. Sharon notes, “Betty blooms her head off and is so cute she makes you smile every time you look at her.” As for Watercolors, “Single roses can be romantic too, especially when their colors change as much as this one.” |
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Because of her work, Sharon is always trying new flowers so not every plant gets to stay in garden. She notes that Watercolors will return to her “permanent” garden once she retires. Sharon’s work can be seen in Sunset magazine and online at Sunset’s garden blog. |
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