Monday, January 2, 2012

Roses That Can Take (Some) Shade

     Right now, roses are arriving at area nurseries, a bargain in bare root form. As you browse the many selections available, remember that most roses need more than six hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom well. 



What's a rose-loving gardener to do with a yard that has more shade than sun?

     According to Sacramento-based Consulting Rosarian Pam Myczek of the American Rose Society, you may be in luck. She has compiled a list of roses that may be successful in a planting area that gets only four to six hours of sun each day. 


As always, all gardening is local. Although these roses will succeed in the Central Valley, Foothills and warmer parts of the Bay Area of Northern California, your luck may vary.  Look for these shade-tolerant varieties on your shopping trips:
 
White roses
Gourmet Popcorn
















Iceberg












Sally Holmes















Also: Madame Hardy, Sea Foam
 
Apricot-colored roses


Valencia

 












Also: Evelyn, Buff Beauty
 
Orange-blend roses
Just Joey







Bill Warriner


 





Touch of Class



 



























Also: Victoria Park
 




Mauve roses
Angel Face




















Also: Kaleidoscope, Lavender Lassie
 
Red roses:
Asso di Cuori




Mr. Lincoln












Playboy




 












 Also: Europeana, Lavaglut

Pink roses:


Secret






Baby Grand


Miss Ada
















Also: Savoy Hotel, Cape Cod, Flower Girl
 
Yellow roses
Elina





Gold Medal







St. Patrick










Sunsprite


Also: Graham Thomas, Mutabilis

Valley rosarian Lance Walheim, author of the books, "Roses for Dummies" and "The Natural Rose Gardener" recommends these hybrid tea roses for light shade gardens:


 

Brandy (apricot/orange)









Garden Party (creamy white with a hint of pink)






Voodoo (peach/yellow)

 





Also: Swarthmore (red)


In our own garden, three hybrid tea roses - 







Pink Peace





Fragrant Cloud









Oklahoma









- are doing well on the north side of the house, where they get primarily early morning and late afternoon sun.

For more of Myczek's "shady roses" selections, visit the Sacramento Rose Society website. Thanks to Baldo Villegas and the SRS for use of many of these photos.

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