We are in the process of uploading our greatly expanded and restocked 2010 inventory. This is our most extensive inventory ever, by far, and involves mounting photos and data for hundreds of new varieties. We will send an announcement email out when this is completed (in about a month) but in the mean time, we invite you to continue browsing the site - many new roses are going to be added every day for the next several weeks!.

This inventory has many varieties of both modern and rare antiques that are new to RVR, including some that have never been offered for sale before. By using the search features in the two white dropdown windows on the left margin (click on the black arrows to access a menus of search options) you may find these roses.

Growing Roses in Difficult Locations
By Kelley Leonard

A few weeks ago we received one of those delightful gardener to gardener emails from our friend, Kelley Leonard, who lives about 12 miles away in the hills above the historic gold rush town of Jacksonville, Oregon. Kelley has given her permission to share her email. Although Kelley has been growing and propagating rare and challenging plants for many years she is a newcomer to roses. Here is Kelley’s email:

I have been thinking about your question about which of the roses I have gotten from RVR that did well for me. Keep in mind that I live on a hillside in very challenging soil, AKA red clay. We also are on a well that means the plants are on limited water.  

On the flat area directly next to the house we had between 6 inches and 1 foot of decomposed gravel spread over the native red clay. To that I have been adding compost as fast as it is produced from my garden clippings and oak/madrone leaves. What has happened is that the roses have sent their roots down deep past the decomposed granite/compost mix and into the native clay where they find a cool, damp run all summer. They get their additional nutrients from their upper feeder roots in the compost enriched granite mix. ( In late winter I top dress with good quality store bought organic fertilizer that contains alfalfa, bone meal, etc...) This has enabled those roses to become very drought tolerant and they are doing fabulously. These roses include: Zephirine Drouhin, Westerland, Albertine, Errinerung an Brod, Cocktail, Lady Hillingdon, Rita Sammons, Buff Beauty, and Gloire de Dijon.  

This past spring (early June) next to the new arbor I planted a Secret Garden Musk (which I had in a gallon pot letting it size up from a band.) It appears to be doing the same thing [adventitiously adjusting its roots] and it is already 5 feet tall and well established for winter. And it has been producing continuous blooms since the second week after it went into the ground! I have planted a Summer Wine nearby and it also is 5 feet tall and blooming.  

On the hillside next to our driveway I have similar soil conditions, with more compost added. This area is a mixed planting with trees and perennials as well as the roses. The roses here include: Therese Bugnet, Dortmund, Marjorie Fair, Mutabli, Dixieland Linda, Compassion, Ghislane de Feligonde, Lavender Pink Noisette and Golden Zest (a  J and P rose ). Of these, all but Ghislaine and Lavender Noisette are doing well. I will move these two because they do not get enough light due to a tree. I think the competition from all the perennials and the trees keeps these roses from performing quite as well as the ones next to the house. In addition the house acts as a heat bank to warm the soil and I am sure this contributes to the vigor of the roses planted there.   

Above the house to the south is another flat area. Here I have planted: Scabrosa, Corylus, Basye's Purple, Moje Hammarberg, and Frau Dagmar Hartopp. Scabrosa, Coryllus, and Moje Hammerburg are doing the best of these. The conditions are native clay with forest duff and added compost with yearly organic fertilizer. Basye's Purple seems to need better growing conditions as it shows the most stress from poor soil, drought, and heat. I am sure in better garden conditions it would be fabulous, but, I do not have any more room in those prized spots in my garden. These are hard choices to make when it comes to deciding which plants get preference. I will also be removing Dagmar Hartopp as it is not unique enough to justify the space.

Near or under the native tree shade I have Kathleen, Lyda Rose, Veilchenblau, Bleu Magenta, and Rambling Rector. These roses all bloom well in the spring, but, the cool summer shade keeps them from a good repeat at the end of the season. Also, the once bloomers are not putting out much growth. I am still deciding whether to move or give away some or all of these roses--except Lyda Rose which does well. I know they are not at their best, and deserve better spots. The native trees also steal their water allotment.  

In my former vegetable garden which proved too shady for tomatoes I have: Another Secret Garden Musk Climber (because one must always have two of these!), Mme. Isaac Pereire, another Dortmund, White Wings, Mrs. Oakely Fischer, Autumn Sunset, and some rose seedlings. Of these Dortmund is doing the best, with Secret Garden Musk not far behind. Mme Isaac Pereire has made tremendous growth this past summer after doing almost nothing for 3 years, so I have decided she wants to stay. White Wings has been slow, but seems to be finally settling in, and I will wait to see. Autumn Sunset is doing well, despite being in the shadiest spot. Mrs. Oakley Fischer is so beautiful, unfortunately those awful cucumber beetles love, love, love her yellow petals and I seldom see a bloom before the beetles damage them beyond enjoyment. So, very sadly I will dig her out and will offer her to someone who may have better luck.

I do not spray--not for any reason, so the roses in my garden have to be very tough to stay.  

Next to another arbor I have: Crepuscule, Excellenz von Schubert, and a little further away, Golden Wings. Poor Crepuscule gets the cucumber beetles too. I am going to watch through one more season before deciding whether to keep or give away. ( I do so love this rose!) Golden Wings does not seem to attract as many beetles, so does not show the devastation the other yellow roses do. It is also very vigorous and growing at a serious rate!  

On this same hillside, but further down the slope I have: William III, Nuits de Young, Ballerina and Dainty Bess. All but William III are doing well. I may try moving him. Dainty Bess needs more sunlight to bloom more, but she is healthy and winding her canes up into the tree she sits next to, so I will watch to see what happens.

So, keeping in mind the red clay, the limited well water with calcium and the shade, and higher elevation, those are the roses I am growing and which do the best. Again, I do not spray--ever. And because I use drip with only occasional overhead watering, even those roses that tend toward black spot have been fine so far.  

As the trees grow larger and throw more shade I will have to move or remove other plants, it will force me to decide which roses I need to grow and which I can live (sadly) without. Overall it has been so enjoyable to watch and learn about and love these roses. Even my horticulturally challenged husband enjoys them and even boasts to other people about our fairytale flower covered garden.  

Click here for a list of roses suitable for growing in difficult locations.

Our Sales and Discounts Continue

All of our specials have been extended through Oct. 30! Buy 8 roses and choose a free band of one of the following very fragrant roses: Eiffel Tower, Kazanlik, Darlow's Enigma, Gloire de Dijon, Sheila's Perfume, Mme. Isaac Pereire, Zephirine Drouhin. At the end of the ordering process, a window will appear for you to tell us which free band you would like. You may also request a free misidentified rose to be sent along with your order. We are also having a $5 off sale on all of our 5 Gallon Roses and $1 off all gallons through the end of September 18.

3 Ways to Receive Free Roses

-Buy 4 of our 5 gallon roses at $5 off each plant and receive your choice of a free gallon priced at $16.50 and, on request, a free misidentified rose.

-Buy 8 roses and receive your choice of a free very fragrant rose and, on request, a free misidentified rose.

-Buy 10 roses and choose 1 of our $12.50 bands as a free gift. At the end of the ordering process, a window will appear for you to tell us which free band you would like. In the same input box, you may let us know if you would like 2 additional free misidentified roses.

Our Membership Discounts

If you are a member of the American Rose Society, the Heritage Rose Foundation, or a Heritage Rose Group, you may choose to receive a 10% membership discount on roses that you order in any quantity when you provide us with your membership number and expiration date. This membership discount does not go with any other specials or sales that we offer.

	Contact us at: info@roguevalleyroses.com Phone and fax: (541) 535-1307

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