This is a different year for the “first flush.” Except for the Old Garden roses, the roses are having their first flush at different times due to the severity of the die back!

Here are the ones that are having their “first flush” now and commanding our attention…

MOTHER OF PEARL

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have been obsessively posting pictures of this one! I have 8 of these roses and have them planted close together in our patio area where we enjoy them up close. This peachy/pink grandiflora is a power bloomer from late spring to fall. Plus she is disease resistant, has a light fragrance and holds on to her clusters of blooms for a very long time! She’s great in a vase whenever I can bring myself to remove her from the garden! Even though she is zoned for 6 and I’m 5b, I have never had much winter die back.

Zones: 6 – 9
Size: 3 -4′ H X – 2′ W

REMINISCENT PINK

I had the privilege of growing this rose as a test rose and she has totally exceeded my expectations. First year she came as a very small insignificant plant.But look at her now!  She sustained no winter die back and the deer left her alone! She is so much prettier in person with her full rich English style blooms.  A modern rose with an old fashioned bloom that is fragrant and very disease resistant – perfection! Great winner for the garden from Proven Winners.

Zones: 4a-9a
Size 3 -4′ H X 2.5 – 3′ W

QUIETNESS

An old favorite in my garden that’s still wowing me! I have three Quietness roses and one of them is in a very undesirable spot in the garden – terrible soil and I forget to care for her. This year she is laughing at the thought that her spot in the garden is less than ideal as she is covered in those yummy shell pink blooms! Dr. Buck bred his roses for winter hardiness and easy care and he was sure successful with this one.

Zones: 4-10
Size: 3 – 4′ H – 3.5′ W

PLUM PERFECT

This rose is new to me but it is all that my friends have told me it would be. The color of these gorgeous blooms catch your eye and the closer you get the better it is. This is a lovely floribunda from Kordes and historically Kordes roses do so well in my garden. Plum Perfect is part of the Star Roses Bloomables collection and bloom she does. These beauties are born in sprays with a nice fragrance.

Zones: 5-10
Size: 2′ X 2′

PETITE PEACH

Petite Peach is my new rose. She didn’t suffer any winter set backs so received little to no spring trim this year! This beauty came to me as a sport on the Petite Pink – another favorite rose four years ago. Last month Petite Peach was awarded the American Rose Society’s 2024 Award of Excellence in the no spray division. This tells us the rose has been trialed all over the country for 2 years and has emerged the winner! Yes, it is a winter hardy shrub with excellent disease resistant and she blooms all summer long! It is for sale at High Country Roses.

Zones: 4-9
Size:  3′ H X  3′ W

WHERE TO FIND ROSES?

Of course, always check your local nurseries but if you can’t find them, there are some excellent online sources that I use every year.

Heirloom Roses

I highly recommend the roses from Heirloom. They are committed to doing the research to assure the health of the rose. I recently did a podcast with from Robin from Heirloom about these processes and you can find that podcast on or after June 11.

HIGH COUNTRY ROSES

Matt Douglas and his team are committed to bringing us old garden roses, harder to find modern roses, as well as the very newest releases. His own root roses are sent out in quart containers that are perfect for tucking into your garden and watching them grow. Many of my largest roses started in those quart containers from High Country Roses. Matt was a recent guest on Rose Chat talking about the less known but very charming, easy care Hybrid Musk Roses as well as some of his favorite newly released roses. LISTEN HERE.

ROSES UNLIMITED

They have an extensive collection but do not take orders online. Just call them to place your order.

PROVEN WINNERS

Proven Winners sells their plants in a variety of sizes via mail order. 

GARDEN DEVOTIONAL

Several of you have asked about the garden devotional I am doing this year. I love it! There is a link on the image below…

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MOST RECENT ROSE CHAT

THE COLOR OF ROSES

On this episode, the delightful Danielle Hahn of Rose Story Farm chats about the family rose farm, growing 40,000 roses, her new book, and helping Martha Stewart with her new rose garden. Since childhood, Danielle has loved roses and wants you to love them too. Join us for this fun chat as Danielle shares so many tips, tricks and behind-the-scenes stories. LISTEN HERE.

The next release will be an update from Robin Jennings of Heirloom Roses you won’t want to miss.

HONORABLE MENTION BLOOMER…

SAVANNAH

Savannah is a healthy, fragrant Kordes rose that will stop you in your tracks when she’s blooming.

Not quite up to previous glory (before the deer found her so desirable) but she’s coming along…

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

AS I MAKE EDITS TO THIS POST I AM WATCHING A BLUEBIRD FLIT AROUND THE GARDEN AND I’M WONDERING WHAT ROSES OR PLANTS ARE STAND OUTS FOR YOU THIS SEASON… 💐