An Almost Insect-Free Rose Garden

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Varieties such as Double Delight, Queen Elizabeth, and Peace are insect tolerant and hardy, and are thus good selections for beginners. Rose catalogs (some of which are mentioned in the sidebar accompanying this article), garden centers, and area "rosarians" (that is, rose fanciers) can all provide valuable advice about the varieties that should flourish in your region. Be sure to inquire (or read the fine print in the catalogs) about climate considerations: Some roses will have trouble surviving in extremely hot or cold sections of the country, and a tender bush that's struggling in an unfavorable environment will be an easy mark for hungry bugs.

GARDEN DISCIPLINE

Once you've planted your ornamentals according to the directions on their packaging, you'll be ready to begin a routine maintenance regimen to keep the new bushes healthy. I mulch heavily with leaves, straw, pine needles, or bark to discourage weeds and preserve moisture for the roots . . . and check the plants regularly in order to remove any diseased leaves and canes.

It's also a good idea to fertilize the plants monthly during the growing season. You can use a commercial preparation, or you can concoct your own combination of supplements. I simply mix up some fish emulsion in water and feed it to my roses once a month, according to the directions on the label. I also combine bone meal and dried cow manure (about a third of a one-pound coffee can of each per rosebush) and scratch the mix into the soil.

In addition, be sure to provide the equivalent of one inch of water per week . . . and try to finish your watering early in the day, allowing the leaves time to dry by nightfall.

Although these chores probably sound a tad tiresome, they'll go quickly enough if you keep reminding yourself that a well-nourished and - watered rosebush is its own best protection from pests and disease. Then, for extra assistance, you can encourage the presence of birds, toads, and other bug enemies by providing appropriate food and shelter near the rose garden. I've found that a population of birds can polish off hundreds of Japanese beetles, ants, and leafhoppers each day . . . while toads will handle such ground-level menaces as slugs and caterpillars. Spiders, lizards, and ducks can also prove to be valuable garden allies.

Enlist the "good bugs" in your defense plans, too. Whenever you tour your growing area, watch for—and do not disturb—such friendly inhabitants as the praying mantis, ladybug, and dragonfly (many gardeners enlarge their populations of these beneficial insects by purchasing mantis egg cases or cartons of ladybugs to set loose in their plots). And, of course, you can help your pest-policing buddies by handpicking any bothersome insects whenever concentrations are on the rise.

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