I am the gardener of the family, but roses have not been my more successful venture. My husband has surprisingly offered to take them on, and I am more than happy to pass the baton. Here is what I currently have in my row of roses: Pink Fairy, Iceberg, Spanish Sun, Chicago Peace, 2 NOID rescue tea roses that have reverted to their root stock. These are located along a 3-board fence running N-S in full sun, with the prevailing NW wind somewhat blocked by the house, but otherwise having good air circulation. Lawn on west side of the rose bed, pasture on the other. Planted about 3' apart center to center. Strawberries at their feet. I plan to yard out the reverted tea roses, and would like to present my husband with 2-3 new roses when I turn over the reins to him so he can have his own babies. I am in the Pacific NW, so all of the rose problems are an issue - black spot, mildew, and aphids in particular. I would like my husband to have good success with his roses. Any suggestions for easy-care, highly-resistant, locally-available varieties? I like the floribundas but am not wed to them. I have access to lots of well supplied nurseries. I've always been an organic gardener and will encourage my husband to be as well, but I am well aware of his stash of bug poison in the barn. This is the rose bed in spring and you can see there is room for a couple more to tie in with the driveway/shrub border if he chooses to expand. Thanks for any insight and suggestions.
