A Rose by Any Name...

Some say Roses are the oldest garden plants in cultivation. Maybe so, but hybrids are relatively recent. The first hybrid tree was produced in our Year of Confederation, 1867

In 1982 I visited an acquaintance in British Columbia, Brian Minter, who had recently opened a show garden to the public. Brian impressed me as a truly inspired gardener with a talent for promoting two key ideas: that gardening improves the quality of Canadian life, and that it is easy to succeed at it.

Brian led me through his garden, waving his hands enthusiastically from planting to planting, barely taking a breath while explaining how his paradise garden had come about, nestled between two gorgeous snow-capped mountains.

When we arrived at the rose garden, he stopped. No explanation was necessary. Brian had designed his huge rose garden for mass appeal. The garden could be seen in plain view from the Trans-Canada Highway, and in the background he had boldly planted begonias in the form of an enormous Canadian flag.

As Brian's garden confirmed, roses are for sharing. I like to plant roses in a highly visible spot in my own garden, where neighbours and passers-by can enjoy their ever-changing personalities and colour.

I like to cut roses and bring them in to my wife Mary. I take them to neighbours and to the office.

Is it any wonder that roses occupy a place of pride in most of the great Canadian gardens, including the Montreal Botanical Gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Vancouver, and the most famous of all, Butchart Gardens in Victoria.

Roses are in a class by themselves. They deserve special attention regardless of where you live.

And speaking about special attention, next Saturday is Valentine's Day, the busiest day for sales of the world's most favourite flower. More than 75 million roses will be bought in North America and over 2 billion roses will be sold through the Dutch auctions according to the Flower Council of Holland. Red remains the most popular colour followed by yellow then pink. According to folklore the type and colour of flower you send can have significant meaning.

Garden Tip: Use left over bath water on your roses as a natural detergent for aphids.