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Is there a 'best rose' for Sacramento?

Master rosarian offers her suggestions, shares tips with Farmer Fred

Apricot and lavender rose bloom
"Distant Drums" is a winner in Sacramento, says
master rosarian Charlotte Owendyk. (Photos courtesy
Charlotte Owendyk)

January is the perfect time for pruning roses. It’s also a great opportunity to plant roses.

But which one? There are so many, many rose varieties – more than 30,000 still available in commerce. Is there a “best rose” for Sacramento? For America?

"Farmer Fred" Hoffman, longtime Sacramento gardening expert, posed those questions to Roseville master rosarian Charlotte Owendyk during his latest “Garden Basics with Farmer Fred” podcast. Owendyk, who grows hundreds of roses in her own garden, is well known for her pruning demonstrations and rose talks. During the podcast, she covered some of the pruning pointers from the Sierra Foothills Rose Society’s recent winter rose care workshop.

As for the subject of “best rose,” it depends on who’s growing it and where. Charlotte shared her favorite “bulletproof roses,” varieties that bloom beautifully under a wide range of growing conditions and circumstances – cold winters, hot summers and everything in between.

Her adaptable favorite is an oldie but goody that’s hard to find: 'Distant Drums." Introduced in 1985, it’s a shrub rose with 4-inch blooms that blend orange and purple tones like a Western sunset.

“One rose that can really take the heat and the cold is ‘Distant Drums,’ which has a very distinct coloration,” she says. “The petals are apricot-colored in the center, surrounded by lavender on the outer petals. It’s hardy down to USDA Zone 4, and has a wonderful strong scent with great disease resistance.”

Zone 4 gets down to 0 degrees (or colder); that’s tough!

Her bulletproof floribundas include two old stand-bys: "Iceberg" and "Burgundy Iceberg." They both do well almost anywhere and are a lot easier to find than "Distant Drums." Introduced in 1958, "Iceberg" is ubiquitous in California parking lots; it’s a white rose that can take pollution and still look good. "Burgundy Iceberg" is a purple version of its close cousin.

White and pink rose
"Secret" is a frequent bloomer and very fragrant.


As for roses that bloom rapidly again and again, Charlotte recommends a popular hybrid tea: "Secret." Introduced in 1992, this rose produces large, pointed, cream-colored blooms with a blush of pink.

“Normally, hybrid tea roses take five or six weeks to rebloom after deadheading,” she says. “For ‘Secret,’ it’s only four to five weeks. That’s why it’s one of my favorite roses. Plus it’s very fragrant.”

Other roses on Charlotte’s bulletproof list include the shrub roses Belinda’s Dream, Lyda Rose and Sally Holmes (which can also be grown as a climber), the floribunda Cinco de Mayo and the hybrid teas Gemini and Memorial Day.

Hear more here: https://gardenbasics.substack.com/p/the-best-roses-for-america-one-master

Also, listen to Fred and Charlotte talk winter rose care during their full podcast, “Prune-ciples: Rose Pruning Tips for Maximum Roses,” at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1004629 .

At that link, you’ll find a full library of Farmer Fred podcasts.

Rather read than listen? Sign up for Farmer Fred’s Garden Basics newsletter: https://gardenbasics.substack.com/ .

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Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 8

Make the most of dry weather while we have it this week. Rain is returning.

* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.

* It’s not too late to plant something. Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.

* Trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.

* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.

* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.

* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.

* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.

* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain.

* Plant garlic and onions.

* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.

* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.

* Mulch, water and cover tender plants to protect them during threat of frost. Succulent plants are at particular risk if temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure to remove coverings during the day.

* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.

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