These secrets will help you have a garden blooming in no time:

• Buy disease-resistant roses.(Pinks are the healthiest)
• Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.(They need a half a days sun to stay healthy)
• To plant...remove soil from an area 18 to 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Add organic matter like manure and lime to help nourish the roots. When you are ready to plant your roses, first soak the roots in water for several minutes. (never leave out where the roots can get dry)Also cut off root ends that are broken or damaged.
• During the first 3-4 weeks after planting, water them often, whenever the top 2 inches of soil feels dry. Once that delicate period has past, soak the bed every 10 days. Be sure to water them in the morning and keep moisture off the leaves to prevent insect and fungus infestation.
• Fertilize your new roses about three months after planting. Then should put down 3-6 inches of mulch.
• Before pruning always coat your shears in an equal parts water and bleach to protect roses against bugs and diseases.
• Spring is the best time for planting roses.
• The best rose gardens are truly treated with tender ,love and care.

Hope this helps, from Gina

I have two (two) shrub rose bushes that have been in the garden for a couple of winters and doing great until this spring. They are now blooming. The leaves are a good color green at the top but are clear and almost white below the blooms and going down towards the crown.

I live in Minnesota. Please help me with what I should do. I don't want to have "whatever" this is spread to the other hybrid teas and floribundas that are newly planted this year in this garden.