Gardening in the desert Southwest is full of challenges and rewards. Although this site will focus mainly on roses (I love them!), most people who grow roses also grow other things: trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and bulbs to enhance the landscape. The decision to grow anything in the desert is not without controversy, and some of those controversies will be discussed here. While many of the articles will focus on the area in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, it is important to understand that gardening here is very different from gardening in Phoenix or Tucson, or in Flagstaff or Santa Fe. Within Greater Albuquerque, growing conditions vary from along the Rio Grande River to the Northeast Heights to the North Valley to Corrales to the West Mesa. Within my own very small yard there are several microenvironments, with different planting and care required in each.
Between 1985 and the late 1990′s I grew the roses that were at the house when I bought it. Then I made the mistake of going to the Rose Show at the New Mexico State Fair one fall, and thought “some of my roses look as good as some of those that won.” So, I entered some roses in the next show. With the help of Kreg Hill, who over the years has become a rose mentor in many different ways, my ‘Gypsy’ was groomed, entered, and won “Best Fully Open Hybrid Tea.” As any of you who exhibit know, there was no turning back.
I now grow around 130 roses in a relatively small area. I love them all. I wish I had room for more. I became a Consulting Rosarian, as well as an ARS Accredited Horticulture Judge and Arrangements Judge.
Part of the joy of roses is sharing information, photos, and horror stories with other people who love to garden. I hope you will visit often and feel free to leave comments for discussion.
