Coming Up Roses: Our Fab 4 Picks of Roses to Plant in Arizona
Story and Photography by Lori A. Johnson
Miracle on the Hudson
- Perennial
- Blooms spring through fall
- 3′-5’H by 3′-4’W
- Well-drained soil
- Full to partial sun
- Moderate water; regular use of supplemental water or irrigation required
- Feed monthly throughout the growing season, reducing the concentration of the fertilizer in the hottest months. Be careful not to overwater.
- Attracts bees, insects
Named for the heroic landing of US Airways Flight 1549, this recently introduced shrub rose has prolific blooms, heat tolerance, cold hardiness and disease resistance.
Why we like it: These medium-sized roses in a flat bloom shape with relatively few petals are ideal for growing in the low desert. The showy, mildly fragrant blossoms also make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
Angel Face
- Perennial
- Mauve-to-lavender blooms spring and fall
- 3′-4’H by 3′-4’W
- Well-drained soil
- Full to partial sun
- Moderate water
- Prune in late winter; water deeply, but keep soil moist rather than wet; starting in spring, apply fertilizer every four to six weeks throughout the growing season. Plant bare-root roses in January or February.
- Attracts bees, insects
Compact in size, ‘Angel Face’ is suitable for containers where space is limited and can be trained in either a standard shrub or tree form.
Why we like it: These ruffled blooms make excellent long-lasting cut flowers for use in arrangements and are highly fragranced with a sweet, fruity scent.
My Granny
- Perennial
- Pink-to-white flowers spring through fall
- 2′-3’H by 4′-6’W
- Well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Moderate water
- Fertilize regularly throughout the growing season, and add mulch around the base of the plant to help cool the roots and retain moisture during the summer
- Attracts bees, insects
This spreading floribunda shrub, with its lush green foliage and prolific clusters of small- to medium-sized florets with high petal count, is both shade-tolerant and disease-resistant.
Why we like it: Versatile, cascading blooms are ideal when used as ground cover or as a border. Can also be grown in containers, with large, heavy clusters of roses draping gracefully over the sides. ‘My Granny’ produces little or no fragrance.
Rio Samba
- Perennial
- Yellow bicolor blooms spring through fall
- 4′-6’H by 3′-4’W
- Well-drained soil
- Full to partial sun
- Moderate water
- Plant bare-root roses or prune established plants in January or February. Deadhead spent blossoms throughout the early summer. Spider mites and other pests should be hosed off with water.
- Attract bees, insects
This disease-resistant hybrid tea rose with cup-shaped flowers, high petal count and large 4″-6″ bloom size, was introduced in the early ’90s. As with most low-desert roses, peak blooms occur in spring and fall.
Why we like it: The large, vibrant yellow-to-scarlet blossoms that darken to red with age add stunning visual impact to the garden. They have a slight fragrance and make excellent cut flowers.
