| What is the easiest rose to grow? Are there any that do not need regular spraying with pesticides? |
| There are many disease resistant, hardy roses available, but none are "bug-proof" or "disease-proof." When shopping for roses, look for varieties described as "resistant to black spot," a notorious fungal disease of roses. Rugosa roses are a good choice. Though they can look a little more "wild" than tea roses, they tend to be more rugged and resistant to pests. Japanese beetles, rose chafers, and aphids are a few examples of rose-loving insects. Fortunately, there are organic, neem-based repellants available that have shown some success in keeping these critters at bay, so long as they are applied before the insects arrive. There are many different kinds of roses (floribundas, hybrid tea, shrub, miniature, etc.), so you'll want to do some "window shopping" to see what type fits your situation. Then search out a disease-resistant, hardy variety in that category. |
