Roses proving to be kind to Earth, and gardeners

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Dr. Steve George, Extension horticulturist and director of research for EarthKind Roses, examines flowers at a test plot near Dallas. McLennan County Master Gardeners are also testing plots of EarthKind roses.  -- Photo by Ty Stepp

Oct. 20, 2005 - Finally, a rose that can withstand trying conditions and can flourish coast to coast. The EarthKind rose concept was started by Dr. Steve George, an Extension horticulturist in Dallas and director of research for EarthKind Roses, to provide Texas homeowners with beautiful roses that do not need much maintenance and can thrive in almost any type of soil.

"EarthKind is unique among roses," explained George. "You don't have to fertilize, prune or spray pesticides."

George, along with other Texas A&M Extension services and Master Gardeners, have been conducting research on test plots for the past eight years. 

McLennan County Master Gardeners, in conjunction with students in land and turf management at Texas State Technical College, have also been performing research on EarthKind roses on the largest Master Gardner test garden in the United States. This test plot is located on the campus at TSTC in Waco and on Tuesday, Oct. 11, an "Easy Care Roses for Central Texas Seminar" was held at the TSTC Idea Center.

"We planted 45 roses on the test plot in January. And, that is truly what they are for - to test," explained Jan Serface, McLennan County Master Gardner and EarthKind specialist. "One variety died, but we left it there so we can see what happened. This will teach us which ones do well in Waco, Texas."

Belinda’s Dream is a fast-growing shrub which is very disease resistant. It has an outstanding raspberry fragrance on large blooms throughout the growing season, which is from spring through fall.     -- Photo by Ty Stepp

The plots at TSTC have 15 cultivars of roses, mostly of different color pinks and some yellows, said Serface. EarthKind roses received their name because they are kind to the environment.

"The soil must have plenty of air movement and the roses must get eight hours of sunlight," explained Serface. "First, we test the soil. Then we add three inches of compost and three inches of expanded shale and till the soil. Once they are planted, we add three inches of mulch. We use a drip irrigation system and the plants have only been watered four times since January."

The roses are never sprayed, never pruned other than to remove dead wood and never watered after the first year.

"The roses are blooming, green and healthy," Serface said. "We didn't use any pesticides and they are gorgeous."

The rose plants are observed for growth rate, insect resistance, drought tolerance, bloom profusion and smell.  

"This is the wave of the future with roses," explained Serface. "Now, people don't have the time to dead head and groom their plants. Our grandparents grew roses and didn't use all of the stuff we use today."

The roses at the TSTC test plots are tested for three years.

"We are testing them to be EarthKind roses," Serface said. 

One variety is a rose founded by Dr. Griffith Buck, in Ohio, explained Serface. 

"His rose grows in Ohio, and all of the roses we tested bloom from the desert to the cold," Serface said. "You will be hearing more about these roses later on."

Next spring, national rose research program, called the EarthKind Rose Brigade, will begin. The national trial involves 30 roses and is open to participants in all 50 states. 

"The Brigade is open to anyone with a love for growing easy-care roses. You don't have to know anything about roses or gardening, because if a rose doesn't perform with minimal care, then it's not good enough to be EarthKind," George said. "It will be great fun, and participants will be enhancing the beauty of their homes while providing valuable insight to Texas A&M scientists as we work to enlarge the EarthKind plant palette. I am more excited about EarthKind roses than any group of plants I have ever tested because they provide so much enjoyment for so little care." 

For more information on the EarthKind Rose Brigade, contact the Texas Cooperative Extension office in your county.