The best time to plant roses in northern California is January and February. Before rushing off to the nursery, we turned to our friend Samantha Greenwood, the special events chef at Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, who also happens to grow 80 varieties in her garden. Our question: Which roses grow best in northern California?
(N.B.: This is the second in a series about the best roses to grow in different zones. For more, see “5 Favorites: A Rose for All Regions, Northeast US Edition.”)
Above: “My favorites are easy, healthy, repeat bloomers,” says Ms. Greenwood. A climber like Tess of the D’Urbevilles ($23.95 from David Austin) makes good use of vertical space, and is perfect for a vertical garden DIY project. Photograph by Kendra Wilson. For more, see “DIY: Endless Cutting Garden.”
Above: Othello has double blooms and a strong fragrance; it blooms all summer. Shown here in Ms. Greenwood’s garden, it’s $24.95 apiece from David Austin. Photograph by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.
Above: English rose Charles Darwin has a flower whose color varies from a deep yellow color to a lemony shade; $27.95 from David Austin. Photograph via David Austin.
Above: Ms. Greenwood in her rose garden: “If they don’t smell, what’s the point?” she asks. For more, see “A Riot in Berkeley: Roses Gone Wild.” Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: On Ms. Greenwood’s list of favorites is tea rose Monsieur Tillier, which has a spicy scent; available for $20 from Monticello. Photograph via Monticello.
Above: Hot Cocoa. a shrub rose whose blooms repeat, is $17.50 at Heirloom Roses. Photograph via Wikimedia.
Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for rose with our Rose: A Field Guide.
Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various perennial plants with our Perennials: A Field Guide.
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