Missouri Botanical 

 Garden Bulletin 



Vol. IX St. Louis, Mo., March, 1921 No. 3 



ROSES 



Of all flowers roses are perhaps the most popular, and yet 

 many people hesitate to grow them because of the impression 

 that their culture requires a great deal of skill. Those who 

 do grow them are often disappointed in the results, their 

 standard for comparison being the long-stemmed varieties pro- 

 duced by commercial florists. Causes for failure are often 

 due to the desire of some amateurs to grow the newer varieties, 

 roses suitable only for greenhouse culture, or the "bargain 

 roses" usually placed on sale in late spring or early summer. 

 Varieties that are grown successfully in one region may be a 

 failure in another, and it is only by selection and trial of 

 the many varieties listed in the rose catalogues that one is 

 able to determine which are suited to his particular locality. 

 The lists in this bulletin will aid those living in the vicinity 

 of St. Louis to grow varieties that may bo relied upon to 

 thrive provided that they are given ordinary care. 



Location. — This is the first and most important considera- 

 tion in tin 1 establishment of a rose garden. Roses are gross 

 feeders and require an abundance of air and sunshine. For 

 this reason they should not be planted close to trees or shrubs 

 whose roots extend far out in search for food. It is not 

 necessary, however, that roses receive sunshine throughout 

 the day, and it is to their advantage if they receive some 

 shade. A soul hern or eastern exposure is good, a southeastern 

 the best. 



Soil. — The ideal soil is a clay loam, but any good garden 

 soil sufficiently fertilized will produce results. A heavy soil 

 may be improved by the addition of sand, and a very light 

 soil by the incorporation of clay and organic matter. 



Beds. — The size and shape of the beds should depend upon 

 their location and the purpose for which the roses are grown. 

 If cut flowers are the object the plants should be placed in 



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