Wake Up and Smell the Roses! 

Any visit to Bellingrath Gardens and Home during the months of April through December is not complete without seeing the famed Rose Garden.  Awarded the "Top Public Rose Garden in the United States" in 2004 by All-America Rose Selections, the garden also won the prestigious award in 1987.  With over 2,000 roses in over 75 varieties, the Bellingrath Rose Garden is one of the signature aspects of the 65-acre estate. 

The Mobile Rose Society was founded shortly after World War II by Lou Costa, former Garden Editor for the Mobile Register, and is associated with the American Rose Society and the Royal National Rose Society.  Walter Bellingrath was one of its founding members.  Mr. Bellingrath's interest in roses was well known and is exemplified by the Rose Garden that bears the design of the Mobile Rotary pin, of which he was a founding member.

Grown in color blocks, the roses featured at Bellingrath are simply breathtaking!!  The garden represents every color of rose imaginable.  More than a typical red, white or yellow rose can be found throughtout the Rose Garden.  For example, every color of purple from a lavendar to a deep amethyst grows at Bellingrath.

As a test site for All-America Rose Selections roses, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is currently growing the new 2008 varieties, which will not be on the market for sale until Spring 2008.  The names of the new roses are to be announced in June 2007. 

Recipient of several national rose awards, Bellingrath's head rose horticulturist, Linda Guy, offers a few tips on growing roses and taking care of them.  "Roses are for garden lovers and for people who like to work outside," Guy said.  "However, the biggest thing to remember about the garden at Bellingrath is we have a variety of roses that like our warm Gulf Coast climate." 

Other tips to remember when growing roses include:

• Good bed preparation is key to a great rose garden.
• Be sure to find quality roses that like the climate. (Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a GREAT source to learn about roses that like the Gulf Coast climate.)
• Know what type of soil you have and remember to fertilize.
• Roses love water, so remember to water them.
• Consult with local gardening specialists to find out the best ways to prevent different pests like fungus and bugs.

During the third weekend in April, the Mobile Rose Society hosts its annual Rose Show at Bellingrath Gardens and Home.  During the 52nd Annual Rose Show, held on April 21-22, 2007, several people displayed a variety of extraordinary and beautiful roses grown from their home garden.  Congratulations to Bellingrath Rose Horticulturist, Linda Guy, for her Best of Show Award with three sprays of Hannah Gordon, a vivid red and white floribunda.  In honor of Bellingrath's 75th Anniversary, a Queen of Show Award was presented to Sam Renfroe who entered Brooks Red roses in the show.  Congratulations to all our winners!

For those interested in growing or learning more about roses, the Mobile Rose Society meets on the third Wednesday of the month at the West Regional Library Branch on Grelot Road or find Linda Guy in the Bellingrath Rose Garden on weekdays.