SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR FELICIA
In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia shares expert advice to help you nurture beauty and joy in your life. Each week, we spotlight a special Subscriber Q&A, where Felicia answers your most pressing questions. Keep reading for this week’s insights and inspiration!
Q: Hi Felicia, I'm putting in a new perennial border in my front yard. I’m planning now, but probably will plant most of the plants in spring. I would like to incorporate some roses. I'm looking for fragrance, disease resistance and flowering twice a year (early summer and fall). The roses should be be easy to incorporate meaning not huge, but smaller shrubs. What type of rose should I consider?
Submitted by: Ulrike from Oreland, Montgomery County, PA - Zone 6b
Submitted by: Ulrike from Oreland, Montgomery County, PA - Zone 6b
A: Hi Ulrike! This is a great question to tackle this week since I know many of my readers are planning their gardens for next season and making their bare root rose shopping lists. In most cases, it's best to avoid hybrid tea roses when creating a compact border, as they tend to grow too tall and may not suit the look you're aiming for. Floribundas and English shrub varieties are your best bet. Here are some excellent rose options that meet your criteria for fragrance, disease resistance, and compact size with repeat flowering for your perennial border:
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Olivia Rose Austin
- Pale pink blooms with a perfect rosette form.
- Strong fruity fragrance.
- Reliable and repeat-flowering with good health.
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Lady of Shalott
- Compact shrub with apricot-orange blooms.
- Hardy and reliable with a light tea fragrance.
- Medium-sized and arching, making it easy to incorporate into a mixed border.
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The Lady Gardener
- Beautiful apricot blooms with a soft fade to cream at the petal edges.
- Rich tea scent with hints of cedar wood and vanilla.
- Compact, repeat-flowering, and highly disease-resistant.
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Bolero
- White blooms with a touch of blush that look stunning in borders.
- A strong fragrance of citrus and myrrh.
- Repeat flowering, perfect for your desire for blooms in early summer and fall.
These roses will integrate beautifully into any perennial border, bringing both fragrance and charm to your garden. For a stunning display of continuous color and texture throughout the growing season, pair them with complementary perennials such as salvia, nepeta, and echinacea. Be sure to share a photo with me next year—I'd love to see how your garden comes to life!
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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography
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