Roses
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Nat Sound
"This is Knockout. This is just plain old, garden variety Knockout rose."
Chuck Denney
Jimmy Mynes goes green in winter, as in greenhouse. That’s where the UT horticulturist does the bulk of work these days. But year ‘round, he comes out smelling like a ... well, you know.
Nat Sound
"The flowers on roses get bigger in the cold. Cooler nights equals bigger flowers."
Chuck Denney
Roses are his speciality-a symbol of beauty for centuries.
Jimmy Mynes
“The Egyptians had roses. They actually cultivated roses. The Romans had roses. They’ve been around for a long time. I guess that just adds to the overall mystique and allure of growing roses.”
Chuck Denney
Other than the absolute dead of winter, you can actually plant a rose bush whenever you want, but early spring is an especially good time. Mynes says to grow beautiful roses, pick a sunny spot, add nutrients to the soil, and dig wide so roots can be established..
Jimmy Mynes
“These pots are 10-12 inches high. You don’t have to go much deeper than 14 inches. It’s going to look like a monster hole when you dig it. It’s going to be substantial.”
Chuck Denney
UT’s experts say winter doesn’t have to be a down time for gardeners. You can do lots of planning and select varieties to try. And when it comes to roses, you have literally thousands of choices. Rewind the calendar back to the unmerciful heat of the summer of oh-seven. That’s where we caught up with Jimmy.
Nat Sound
“Reds are way better than whites, which are way better than yellows - in terms of disease resistance and care.”
Chuck Denney
He took us around his plots at UT’s West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson. Between here and another spot in Crossville, he’s growing more than 250 types of roses, studying what makes certain varieties disease resistant. But worldwide, get a load of how many roses are out there.
Jimmy Mynes
“15-16-thousand different kinds of roses. Everything from the species roses that grow wild in nature, all the way down to these cultivated ones that are selected and bred for different colors and attributes.”
Chuck Denney
Few things get a gardener going like the hope of a coming spring. If you want to create beauty like this, it’s just about time to get started. After all, roses are red, but lots of other colors too.
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NOTE: So are roses difficult to grow? UT experts say it depends on the variety. High end roses you see at a florist do require some work, but other types such as shrub roses can be planted and pretty much left alone.
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