THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230108
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
As president and sole member of the Rose Anti-Defamation League, I must take issue with several of the headlines and captions in a recent Sunday Home & Garden Section; e.g., ``Roses need more care than almost any other plant,'' and ``Toil: Beauty of roses comes with a high price in labor.'' You obviously were referring to the hybrid tea, the toy poodle of the plant kingdom. Though you did briefly mention antique roses, you missed a splendid opportunity to sing the praises of antiques instead of emphasizing the well-known flaws that have been ``built into'' the hybrid teas by short-sighted hybridizing.
Genuine antique roses (those that can be dated prior to 1867) and other roses with similar hardy characteristics are gracious, trouble-free landscape plants. All an old rose asks for is a sunny spot.
I have had a gorgeous three-season show with two old roses that came from, of all places, WalMart. Those beauties are the floribunda ``Gene Boerner'' and the polyantha ``The Fairy.'' I have also ordered a China and a Bourbon from the Antique Rose Emporium in Texas. Their address is Route 5, Box 143, Brenham, Texas 77833. Fax (409) 836-0928. Phone (800) 441-0002.
Hundreds of old roses are available for purchase through the Antique Rose Emporium catalog. These sturdy plants are grown on their own roots, rather than being grafted. There are many good books in the library on old roses. One may also want to see the shrub and rugosa roses blooming with abandon at the water-wise demonstration garden at Mount Trashmore.
So please stop maligning the noble old rose and don't confuse it with its fussy cousin, the hybrid tea.
Betty J. Atkinson
To each his own. I remember that in that article, Linda Pinkham named ``The Fairy'' as a rose that was easy to care for.
You and I will never settle the controversy over what roses to grow and how to grow them. Dyed-in-the-wool rosarians do whatever is required to win medals. The rest of us struggle. I'm not convinced that many of the old English David Austin roses being sold today are any easier to care for than hybrid teas. Those I have are disappointments, highly susceptible to mildew.
And I've had horrible luck with roses from the Antique Rose Emporium. Two shipments of roses and perennials ended in death for all. I hope you have better luck. If you want roses to pick for the house, it means growing hybrid teas and a lot of extra care. If you are satisfied with a bush that is filled with fragrant blooms that are to be enjoyed in the yard, your opinions are solid.
Please send me the name of the product to control voles and information on where to purchase it.
Jackie D. Vick, Courtland
The control most recommended today is Ramik, because it contains an attractant that voles like. The problem is finding it. It's inexpensive, ranging from 79 cents to $2.39. Virginia Beach Feed and Seed carries it, and it may soon be available from other retail outlets.
About a month ago, you wrote about a new gardening book that was due out the middle of October. I have misplaced the article and the name of the author. I would like to buy a copy for my wife as a Christmas present. Can you please supply me with the information.
W.A. Smith, Virginia Beach
I mailed a reply to you earlier but waited until today to print the letter, so as not to spoil the Christmas surprise. The book I think you are referring to is ``Taylor's Master Guide to Gardening.'' Publisher is Houghton Mifflin. Cost is $60, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden Shop should have it. Call 441-5933. Since then I've had more occasions to use the book, and I'm not sure it's as good as I first thought. A book reviewer friend says Penelope Hobhouse's book, ``On Gardening,'' published by MacMillan for $40 is better. If your wife is a naturalist or involved in environmental matters, a popular book is Ken Druse's ``Natural Habitat Garden.'' Publisher is Potter and the cost is $40. MEMO: No gardening questions will be taken over the phone. Write to Robert
Stiffler, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, 150 W. Brambleton
Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. Answers will be published on a space-available
basis. For an earlier reply, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. by CNB