Does Malcolm have a web site with suggestions? He really should be the "go to guy" for roses in Southern Florida. Kim

In a few years (after I finish my doctorate), I plan to move to the Homestead, FL area. In the meantime, I try to tuck away tidbits of info on gardening for down there. This was one of them.

:-)

~Christopher

Here is a link that might be useful: Old Roses for South Florida

It depends on what type of roses you want to grow. I started growing roses in Hollywood back in the early 1970's. Spent almost 40 yrs growing roses in Fl. before retiring and moving up to the mountains.

Thanks y'all! I really like the looks of the hybrid teas, and I forget the name of the old english that I LOVED, it looks like a peony. I will head over to the antiques and see what I can find!

Thanks again
fl-belle

I can help you with a few roses that I think you might like that I grew in Fl. and did great for me. Belinda's Dream---Pink. Classed as a shrub but grows like a HT. Brides Dream---Pink. Long stems. Nice soft pink blooms. Bewitched---Pink. Been around for a while for a good reason. It loves Fl. Louise Estes---Pink Blend. One of the finest HT's to grow in Fl. Moonstone---White blend. A MUST have. Kentucky Derby---The best red HT to grow in Fl. Any David Austin Roses that are on fortuniana (Florida) rootstock. Most Old Garden Roses. Go to the "Nelson Fl. Roses" website. They have a list of all the roses they have and a list of all the nursery's that carry their roses. I'm sure there is one close to you. Also over in Palm Beach is Cool Roses. They carry a lot of great roses. Also if you want to get roses from on line, K&M Nurserys sells a lot of roses gust perfect for FL.

Thank you SO much ken-n.ga.mts!

Hi, Florida belle, I'm in Ocala. Here is a recent thread started by sumognat in SE Florida asking the same question. Malcolm Manners offered some good information as well as the rest of us in Florida.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg0116360230458.html

Here's another similar thread of hers.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg0110541918913.html

You should be able to grow lots of roses where you are but not ALL roses. Lots of beautiful roses can't tolerate our climate and fungal situation. I'm not sure is Buck roses were mentioned in these threads, but there are a bunch of gorgeous ones that do great here. Mail order is the most common way to get roses from specialty nurseries around the country via their websites. The most important thing about growing roses in Florida - besides picking the right ones - is amending the sand heavily with organic material. The roses will not live for long if you just plop them in the native ground.

The Antique Roses Forum is where you'll find the folks who grow mostly teas, chinas and noisettes (warm climate Old Garden Roses), but many of the same people are on this forum, too. It's just that the OGR topics are on the ARF.

Welcome to roses!! You'll find the folks on these forums to be very helpful and just lovely people.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

This post was edited by sherryocala on Wed, Jan 23, 13 at 11:28

I forgot to mention a few that grew really well for me. Elina---Big bush full of foliage and soft yellow blooms that you will love. St. Patrick---LOVES the heat. Prune it lightly for 2 yrs and in year 3 you will have a big bush that will be capable of producing 30/40 blooms per bloom cycle. Pristine--- Big beautiful bush with lots of fantastic bloom. Their big drawback is they open fast. Stainless Steel---Tall bush that produce beautiful blooms. Smells great. Touch Of Class---Beautiful coral orange blooms that love FL.

Thank you sherryocala & ken-n.ga.mts!!

Good news.