Many homeowners are interested in roses but may think that they are very labor intensive. Let me show you a couple of options for easy care landscape roses that grow well in containers. Most gardeners have heard of Knock Out roses, a 2006 Mississippi Medallion winner. A newer selection is Double Knock Out that features shiny fire engine red blooms from early summer and into the fall season, most of which are fully double with some semi-double. Another great choice are the Drift roses, also a Mississippi Medallion winner in 2016. This rose series, and there are 10 selections, has a mounding and spreading growth habit that will eventually grow to three feet tall and four feet wide. Coral Drift has bright and vibrant coral-orange flowers. Popcorn Drift continuously produces flowers that start a soft buttery yellow and fades to a creamy white. Drift roses will re-bloom every 5-6 weeks regardless of deadheading. One more option are the Sunblaze Miniature rose varieties. These compact roses will bloom from early summer and well into autumn. They look spectacular in containers. There are 12 varieties, Sunblaze Rainbow is one of my personal favorites and the blooms are a stunning orange red when fully open. My other favorite is the Sunblaze Yellow miniature rose. This selection features bright sunshine yellow flowers that transition to a creamy color. You can electrify your landscape by planting these beautiful shrub roses. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.
