Happy Fourth from the Rose Garden! by Donna Duffy

The Fourth of July is about all things patriotic: freedom, independence, fireworks! You can celebrate these patriotic roses all summer long.

Many experts consider Fourth of July the best Rose introduced in the past decade. Its climbing canes reach 12 to 14 feet tall, with fresh, healthy foliage. North or south, east or west, it demonstrates uniform vigor and flower color. And it re-blooms beginning the very first year!

American Beauty is remarkably hardy and tolerant of shade. It can reach a height of 12-14 feet if trained on a trellis or wall.

Firecracker roses are compact shrub roses that only grow to a height of about 2 feet tall, making them excellent candidates for small rose gardens and even container growing on your porch or patio. The Firecracker does well in zones 4-7.

The most widely produced red rose in South America, Freedom red roses are grown in rich volcanic soil producing the long, sturdy stems and larger heads for which these roses are famous. These roses are popularly used for wedding flowers, special events, fund-raisers and other floral decor. 

If you are in Pennsylvania, check out the Rose Garden at Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia. The Rose Garden was donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and dedicated in May 1971. The garden includes 250 roses consisting of 96 varieties. 

OK, it’s not a rose, but the Cleome hassleriana 'Sparkler Rose' would be lovely as an annual (Zone 7) hedge or planted at the rear of a garden bed.  The flowers are quite aromatic and a good for use as a cut flower. 

Happy Fourth of July!