CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

By: Ted W. Mills, ARS Consulting Rosarian and Judge

To paraphrase an aspiring Presidential candidate’s theme of “help is on the way“, I rush to say that “change is on the way” when it comes to popularly acclaimed roses. For decades we have enjoyed the beauty of hybrid teas. These have drawn most rose show judges to view them as the only sure winner of “Queen” and “Court” status. But again I hasten to declare that “change is on the way.”

I am not alone in this prediction. Just this year we have heard rose experts declare that the market is crying for “carefree” roses. The introduction of the now popular variety “Knock Out” fuels that summation. To those who shunned the rose growing hobby because of excessive work and constant disease problems, the entry of such varieties has created much enthusiasm among the reluctant. Young people are now eager to grace their gardens with carefree varieties.

The nation’s largest commercial rose growers are jumping on this latest bandwagon. They are predicting that shrub varieties will command major attention, especially among the young novice rosarians. Let’s be realistic. It’s all a matter of placing future emphasis on the most marketable roses. Those that will satisfy demand. In other words, the growers will hybridize and offer bushes that will produce the most revenue. It’s all a matter of economics and the large rose firms realize that certainty.

In spite of all this hoopla about shrubs coming to the front in public acceptance, I still feel that hybrid teas will still command attention. It will just be more difficult to locate them. These will experience the fate of the heritage roses and be relegated to limited sources. I shudder at the thought of a shrub rose commanding the lofty position of “Queen”. I may not see that in my lifetime. Being a senior citizen, my life expectancy is not long. However, I revel at the thought that I probably will be spared the sight of a shrub rose replacing a cherished hybrid tea.

Let’s review some of the occurrences that has led me to accept the “change” that is forecast. Just this year two very informed rose experts have advised that the direction of the rose industry leads to hybridizing and offering for sale, rose plants that require little or no care. Let’s face it. We live in a satellite universe where the young among us crave a hobby that does not interfere with their “fast” life. Just try to interest a group of teenagers in the rose growing hobby as we now know it. An immediate turn-off is given when we outline the work schedule of growing award-winning roses. The introduction of “Knock Out” type roses seems to give that group some willingness to give the hobby a try. I recall just this year what occurred when I told a reluctant lady about “Knock Out” roses. She drove 30 miles to buy the plants and her introduction into the hobby has been gratifying. A spectacular array is at her home’s entrance and she is now “hooked” on roses -- all because the care is limited.

One factor that will help to preserve the availability of hybrid teas rests in the increasing number of amateurs that are hybridizing roses. Their intent is not as monetarily oriented as the large rose growers. For that reason we will continue to have supplies of our current favorites and others to be developed. Be grateful to the amateurs.

This treatise is by no means a criticism of the large rose growing firms. It is simply a statement of fact that seems to be lurking on the horizon. It is understandable that emphasis be placed on what the buying public wants. To stay in business a firm must change with the public demand. Many industries are now on the industrial scrap heap because they refused to accept change. Commerce passes them by and competition helps dig their graves.

Yes, change is on the way. I may not see it but the young among us will enjoy its benefits. Future rose shows will help to foster the change as more and more young rosarians seeking a carefree hobby will enter our ranks. For the sake of preserving our national flower, we must not slow the “wheels” of change.

I would be remiss, if, in this article, I led you to conclude that shrub roses of the Knock Out variety are completely carefree. In fact, I would be misleading you tremendously. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a carefree rose growing to perfection without care. Oh, I know that advertisers rave about “carefree” in their spiel. However, try discontinuing watering, fertilizing, and winter protecting, to name only a few rose chores, and you will see your rose bushes struggle just to survive. What I am trying to convey is the fact that rose experts who hybridize must continue to introduce genetically strong bushes that require no spraying. But remember, spraying is only one of the duties of a successful rosarian. I readily agree that eliminating the spraying chore is a welcomed advantage -- ala Knock Out’s success. I long for the day when our beloved hybrid teas enjoy such immunity to disease. However, I know in my heart that I will always have the chores of feeding, deadheading, watering, and pruning to produce good roses.

Yes, “Knock Out” did initiate a whole new revolution in rose growing. It appears that the shrub variety is coming into prominence. However, growing roses well begins with the rosarian’s determined devotion to all duties in rose culture. It is false hope to believe otherwise.