LADYBUG: DURING JUNE, STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES

Roses have captivated the affection of mankind and are renowned in art, music and literature. They have long been the favorite flower of the American people and have come to symbolize love, friendship and peace.

It wasn't until September of 1986, however, that they were named America's national flower. When President Ronald Reagan signed a joint resolution, rose lovers across the country realized that their years of letter writing had been rewarded.

Until this time most states recognized a native flower. How well we remember that Sen. Everett Dirkson of Illinois pushed for it to be the marigold. This was about the same time that Burpee's offered a monetary reward for a white marigold.

The rose was chosen because it has enjoyed such widespread popularity. It is said that it is grown in every state in the Union. The first president of the United States was also the first American rose breeder, and one of his first varieties, named after his mother, is still being grown today.

There are well over 1,000 varieties of roses, each responding differently to various climates and soils. Different types of roses have been bred for different purposes. Hybrid teas are excellent cut flowers, floribundas make beautiful low growing shrubs, grandifloras are usually large bushes, generally six feet, and miniature roses are compact, from 6 to 18 inch bushes small, sometimes tiny flowers.

The first step in growing roses is to select healthy, vigorous plants. Choosing the proper planting site is critical. Roses need at least six hours of sun. Morning sun is better than hot afternoon sun, which can bleach flowers and burn leaves.

Roses do best in slightly acidic, loamy soil with humus content. The soil must be well drained yet retain some moisture so the roots have water available, but do not stand in it.

Temperature changes affect the health and growth of roses. Most roses are sensitive to heat, especially when the temperature is over 90 degrees. Roses react to cold, much as people do, curling up to retain warmth. Certain sudden changes in temperatures in the fall, before the plant has hardened off for winter, can be disastrous. To discourage new growth that can be destroyed by an early freeze, avoid later summer feedings of nitrogen.

Roses require more fertilizer than most garden plants. They should be fertilized and sprayed to protect against black spot, and such insects as aphids, leafhoppers and spider mites, according to instructions on fertilizer and spray packages.

Keep in mind that overhead watering should be done in the morning so the foliage has a chance to dry before evening.

Fifteen years ago roses were grouped into only seven categories. Gardeners today, inspired by the Heritage Rose Foundation and the many new rose nurseries specializing in unique roses, have increased that number.

There are 10 classes of modern roses today. These are:

Hybrid teas -- Quite popular modern roses with large flowers on long stems. Hybrid teas bloom often, in a wide range of colors and combinations. Many are fragrant.

Polyanthas -- Low growing shrubs with large clusters of small flowers. The word Polyantha means "many flowered." They grow to about two feet in height, are extremely hardy and bloom continuously, though generally with little fragrance.

Grandifloras -- Originally crosses between hybrid teas and floribundas, with clustered flowers like the floribundas but larger, and with the long stems of hybrid teas. Grandifloras are tall, often over seven feet, with masses of color.

Floribundas -- Hybrids between polyanthas and hybrid teas. Floribundas (the name means "clustered flowers") are hardy, large, shrubby bushes that bloom continually all summer.

Miniatures -- Except for the miniature cascading and climbing roses, grow to just 10 to 18 inches, with proportionately small leaves and flowers. They are very hardy, and unlike many modern roses, most grown on their own roots.

Climbing roses -- No roses have tendrils or other means of climbing on their own. The climbers have tall canes that with support can be trained to climb upright. Some are ever blooming, while others bloom just once at the beginning of the season. Ramblers are climbing roses with very pliable canes.

Shrub roses -- A catch-all category including robust, spreading roses that bloom fairly constantly, some with single flowers, others double.

Hybrid musks -- Crosses between the species eglantine rose and hybrid perpetuals, bourbons or other roses. These are large, arching shrubs that can reach 10 to 12 feet. They produce early leaves with a spicy apple scent, fragrant blooms born singly or in clusters. They have bright red hips in early autumn.

Rugosa hybrids -- These are the hybrids of teas and rugosa. Some of the hardiest roses. They are not only carefree but also disease resistant.

~Mary Blue is a resident of Cape Girardeau and an avid gardener.