Roses

By Edwin Cooper
Roses are our national floral emblem and the most readily recognized, widely grown, and deeply loved of all flowers.
The history of the rose in America actually began, as far as we know, 40 million years ago. It was then that a rose left its imprint on a slate deposit at Florissant, Colorado. Fossilized remains from 35 million years ago have also been found in Montana and Oregon. This makes the rose as native to America as our bald eagle. And speaking of native, there are 35 rose species indigenous to the United States.
No other shrub or flower will produce the quantity or quality of blooms all summer long like roses either - even the first year they're planted. In fact, you'll get fresh-cut roses worth many times the purchase price from each bush every year. All this makes roses one of the best gardening buys around.
Some varieties of roses currently on hand at M&M Farm Supply include: The Sunny Knock Out Rose [yellow flowers], The Double Knock Out Rose [red flowers], The Pink Knock Out Rose [pink flowers]. Also Cinco de Mayo [raspberry flowers], Livin’Easy [apricot –orange flowers], Red Drift [red flowers].
Planting Guide (from several sources): Step 1: Choose a sunny location with good drainage.
Step 2. Dig a hole large enough to match the existing soil level in the pot. Use well-rotted compost to amend the soil for refilling the hole.
Step 3. Remove the container, leaving the root ball as intact as possible. Place the root ball and crown at the correct ground level. Fill in the hole with the amended soil.
Step 4. Use a deep soaking to wet the roots and settle the new soil. Level off the soil as needed. Fertilize regularly during the flowering season. Water regularly until plant is established.
So, without doubt, the rose has the requisite heritage to take its place beside our other national symbols. With Congress and the President proclaiming the rose as our national floral emblem in the fall of 1986, it is appropriate to consider these and other rose facts and fancies.