Garden Spot - Celebrity Plant of the Month is Rosa rugosa ‘Pavement Series’ - June 2009

Celebrity plant of the month is Rosa rugosa ‘Pavement Series’.

Shrub roses are easy to grow; are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors; are low maintenance; and are an integral part of the Village’s effort to provide season long flower display in all public gardens. Village gardens boast an inventory of over 1100 shrub rose plants! Lincolnshire’s garden plant palette consists of 4 varieties of shrub roses, all of which are disease resistant and are used in gardens according to the design and cultural specifications of a particular site. When a garden is particularly vulnerable to winter salt spray and radiant pavement heat, however, the shrub rose of choice is Rosa rugosa ‘Pavement Series’. All Rugosa roses are salt and heat tolerant, drought tolerant, disease resistant, and winter hardy. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are useful as hedges, foundation plantings, and mixed border garden beds. Many have fragrant flowers and attractive ornamental remnant “hips” (fruits). The ‘Pavement Series’ is low spreading, compact in size (3’x 3’), has great foliage and semi-double fragrant flowers, repeat blooms, and produces large red hips. It is important to remember that all shrub roses require full sun.

For more information regarding shrub roses and the introduction of shrub roses into planting beds, contact the Village Gardener at 847.883.8600.

Gardening Tip of the Month: Exercise caution when using herbicides.

Above average spring rainfall has made resident landscapes green and lush. It has also created a healthy crop of weeds. Garden centers sell chemical products called herbicides to control these weeds. While these chemicals are effective in weed control, they can be dangerous to people, pets, and the environment. It is important to do the following when purchasing and using herbicides:

1. Identify the weed you are targeting and be sure the product you are purchasing is suitable for that weed. Garden center staff can help you.
2. Read the product label thoroughly before using. Pesticide use is controlled by the Federal government and all products are required to carry a label which outlines directions for use and precautions. Use recommended dosage-more is not better!
3. When herbiciding, cover arms and legs and wear shoes, socks, and goggles.