VISION 2000 PANEL NOW ACCEPTING ROSE PLANT ORDERS

Businesses and individuals interested in adding rose bushes just a few or a lot may order them now through Cape Girardeau Vision 2000's rose restoration project.

Barbara Rust of the Vision 2000 rose restoration project, said the plants may be ordered through March 26. The roses will arrive in April.

Three colors red, pink and yellow are available. The red roses are the least expensive at $4.25 per bush; the most expensive rose bush is $5.

Those interested may call Cape Girardeau City Hall and leave their name, address and telephone number.

The rose planting project began in 1989, Rust explained. Since then approximately 1,000 to 1,200 roses have been planted each year in Cape Girardeau.

So far this year, Rust said, orders have been received for just 400 roses. People may order just a couple or hundreds of plants.

"We give instructions," she said. "We will help with planning a bed."

Members of the Vision 2000 committee plant roses on city property and public rights of way but not on private properties.

Committee members also mulch, spray and fertilize the rose beds on public rights-of-way.

The same committee also orders daffodil bulbs in August. The bulbs are planted in October.

"This is really the most visible thing Vision 2000 has offered the city," Rust said. "It really makes the city look terrific."

"These roses are a low maintenance hedge rose," Rust explained. They are not hybrid teas.

"Those (hybrid teas) are very picky roses. They have to be babied," Rust said. "These (hedge) roses are prolific and they are full blooming through the entire season. We have had a blooming season as long as May through Dec. 3 one year.

"For color and effect, this is probably the best thing to put in your yard. You will have color all summer long," she said.

The plan is to continue planting roses in the city through the year 2000.