There is a new book out by Felicia Alvarez called Growing Wonder, A Flower Farmers Guide to Roses. Alvarez is a third generation flower farmer with an 80 acre mostly rose farm outside of Sacramento. In ‘your best friend warm and friendly voice’ she expertly guides you through how to grow roses, debunking the myth that roses are hard to grow. She even breaks out rose growing into three category types to help you further grow fabulous roses whether you are a “Weekend Warrior,” “Everyday Gardener,” or an "Aspiring Rosarian.”

Alvarez covers all the bases on roses in very readable chapters on rose selection, planting roses, rose care, harvesting and suggested resources. I have learned so much from her and her book. Here are just a few tips:

1) Whether you buy a bare root or potted rose, the most important thing is to get it into the ground.

2) Know your soil type, irrigation output, and soil moisture.

3) You can prune a rose year-round.

4) Roses can thrive in pots and containers.

4) Compost is different from mulch, and compost is key for your roses.

5) Feed your roses on a schedule of U.S. holidays beginning with Easter/Passover, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

6) A healthy rose goes a long way in defending itself from pests. Observe your roses diligently, and act quickly when pests appear.

7) Harvest your roses early in the day, and when buds are a tight bud-to-marshmallow form.

8) Maintaining a cool temperature for your roses after harvest is key for a longer post harvest life.

9) Her time-tested favorite roses for growing and cutting, broken down into color schemes and types.

10) Design a simplistic floral bouquet with roses, and let your roses shine!

11) Avoid taking rose thorns off their stems for floral arrangements, unless it is for a bridal bouquet, etc. Removing rose thorns creates more wounds and places for bacteria to enter.

Besides actively managing her rose farm, selling her cut roses and writing, Alvarez created Menagerie Academy, which offers garden rose education with one-on-one assistance, workshops, and online courses. Visit her website Menagerie Flower for more rose information and rose care products. Alvarez lives on her farm with her husband and darling two young sons.

I highly recommend this book for all of you who love to grow roses. It is a wonderful reference to have at hand for rose information, inspiration, and to increase your garden rose expertise.

Alvarez says to grow the roses you love. I love the romantic climbing Eden rose, the landscape classic White Iceberg rose, the apricot hybrid tea rose Just Joey, and the stunning deep purple to lavender floribunda rose Intrigue, to name a few more that grow in my garden. Please share what garden roses you love to grow!

Related Past Post:

Flower Power

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend….Bonnie