Enduring. That’s the best word to describe a rose plant. They will put up with all kinds of ill treatment and still produce the most beautiful, fragrant, romantic blooms. Half a day of sun and a weekly soaking is enough.

You will find them in any shade of pink, peach, yellow, and even intense reds and oranges—and in any size you want, including climbers, ramblers, and small or large shrubs. They do well in small groups of three or four, or they can cover an entire fence!

Right now my garden is abloom with roses. I have a dedicated rose garden, but that wasn’t enough, so I have a few sprinkled around the flower beds too. We have one beautiful ivory-colored rose that is still blooming away in our front yard after 40 years!

There’s lovely “Etain” who is having a heyday on the arbor out front and also along our side fence. “Queen Elizabeth” is climbing all over the chicken coop and threatening to lift off the worn metal roofing!

A couple things to remember for your roses. They really benefit from pruning in the winter and fertilizing in the spring and summer. I use a formula I found at the nursery years ago. For each plant: ½ cup 16-16-16 fertilizer, ½ cup bone meal, ½ cup iron sulphate, 2 tablespoons epsom salt, and a couple shovelfuls of manure.

So go ahead. Treat yourself to a bit of enduring beauty for your garden!