Garden of Edith -- On Roses

by Edith Isidoro-Mills -- If you like roses, you are probably thinking about buying some to plant in the next few weeks.  Roses do well here in Churchill County if you pick the right varieties and make sure they get adequate water throughout the growing season. Almost every region of the world has some species of native roses. The roses you buy online or at a local nursery or garden center are hybrids of various species of roses originating from different regions and climates. A number of years ago I went out to inspect a planting of roses the local junior high school kids did as a part of a school assignment.  These kids did their research on rose varieties and their potential adaptability to our desert environment, which consists of high pH soils, high salinity, dry climate, and extremes of hot summer and cold winter temperatures.  The students determined Rugosa roses were the most adaptable to our local saline soils.  When I inspected the roses, they planted in front of their school I saw roses that exhibited some of the Rugosa characteristics on the leaves but the flowers were more like Damask roses.  Most likely, the roses they had selected were the result of crossing a rose that was Rugosa and native to Eastern Asia and a Damask rose. The Damask rose is a hybrid of two species native to the Middle East. Rugosa roses are just one example of a rose species that will do well in Churchill County.  In fact, many of the roses sold will have pedigree of crosses between a number of rose species that were compatible and produced viable offspring.  So many crosses and backcrosses have occurred in roses that many don't resemble any of their ancestors. Unless you buy roses from an online nursery specializing in antique rose varieties, you won't know whether you are buying a Gallica, Rugosa, Damask, or any combination of these species.  However, you probably will know if you are buying a Tea rose, Floribunda, Shrub rose, mini rose, or even an Old English Rose.  I have seen anyone of these types of roses thriving in Churchill County if they receive the prescribed care on the label that comes with them. However, not all varieties of roses will do well here because our dry climate and extremes of temperature between winter and summer do pose a challenge for any plant.  One clue as to whether a rose variety will do well is their winter hardiness.  Those varieties that are the most winter hardy are more likely to do well here.  Not only because they will survive our occasionally extreme winter cold, but also because the genes that render them cold hardy also make them more drought tolerant.  The genes coding for the synthesis of stress hormones that help the plant better cope cold temperatures also increase drought tolerance.  So when selecting roses, it's better chose the varieties adapted to an even colder hardiness zone than the USDA map shows for Churchill County. The other consideration when selecting roses is to consider where you plan to plant that rose.  If it is a shady location you have in mind, select a variety that says it will tolerate shade.  Otherwise, plant rose in a sunny location.  A location that receives lots of morning sunny but gets some afternoon shade can be beneficial for most roses because it does moderate the extreme dry summer heat in the middle of our summers increases drought stress and cause a plant to need watering more frequently.  Still make sure a rose that requires full sun, gets at least a half day of full sun preferably in the moring.   Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices.