Meet The Biltmore Garden Rose Collection
comments (0) September 7th, 2012 in blogs
Paul Zimmerman, contributor
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Flamenco Rosita. A shrub rose to about 5'x5' with a bushy growth habit. Non stop flowering and amazing disease resistance. Hardy to zone 5
Photo: Paul Zimmerman Roses
Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina was built by George Vanderbilt starting in 1895. In it he housed treasures he collected from around the world. At it's peak the estate covered over 100,000 acres and today still encompasses over 8000 acres in the cradle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Much of the former land now forms the Pisgah National Forest and remains as pristine as it did when George Vanderbilt owned it.
What many people don't realize is Biltmore operated a plant nursery in the early 1900s. At its peak, it was one of the largest nurseries in the country. Roses were a large part of it until a flood wiped it out. The nursery never reopened and Biltmore was out of the plant business - until now.
Biltmore is still in private hands and the current CEO of the Biltmore company, Bill Cecil, is the great grandson of George Vanderbilt. He has charged the estate with being self-sustaining in the traditions of a "working estate" that farms, welcomes guests, makes wine; and a whole host of other endeavors.
This has now come full circle to include roses in the form of The Biltmore Garden Rose Collection. Just as George Vanderbilt collected treasures from around the world, the Biltmore Garden Rose Collection brings the world's rose treasures to United States shores. Roses from Canada and the UK, with roses from New Zealand and Germany already marked for future release. Roses are being tested from all over and the best will find their way into the collection.
The current group of five have diverse growth habits and that is intentional. What is also intentional are common characteristics of disease resistance, ease of growth and yes; fragrance!
Over time they will find their way into garden centers and if you have a favorite garden center ask about them. In the meantime they are available from Chamblee's Rose Nursery in Tyler, Texas via mail order.
For many years gardeners have drooled over roses in books and catalogs from around the world, only to be disappointed because they were not available in the United States. Thanks to the Biltmore Garden Rose Collection that is about to end!
Happy Roseing
Paul
For more information on the Biltmore Garden Rose Collection visit their website or you can contact Darren Gilbert via email. dgilbert@biltmore.com
posted in: Buying Roses
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Everyone loves roses. If you always wanted to add roses to your garden but were too intimidated by their diva reputation, Roses Are Plants, Too is the blog for you.
Paul Zimmerman has grown thousands of roses for over 15 years and for ten of those years in a sustainable manner. His common-sense approach shows you how to integrate garden roses into your landscape by looking at them as nothing more than flowering shrubs, all the while encouraging you to trust your own "Gardener's Instincts" in the care of these beautiful plants.
You will learn how to prune and train climbing roses, and how to get the most "ka-bloom" out of your shrub, David Austin and Knockout rose bushes. You'll get tips on growing roses organically and trimming them all season to keep their shape. You'll discover the difference between own-root and grafted roses, and more. Much of the instruction will be via videos that Paul produces himself!
Paul Zimmerman ran a rose care company in Los Angeles before moving to South Carolina to start Ashdown Roses. Now he focuses on rose education and teaching via Paul Zimmerman Roses. He lectures, gives workshops, and judges rose trials around the world, and it is this experience he brings to this blog.
Whether you are new to roses or an experienced grower, Paul will open your garden to the vast diversity our national flower offers.
If you have questions about roses and rose care or would like to share your own experiences please visit our Roses Are Plants, Too discussion forum.
To inquire about Paul's workshops and lectures, email him at paul@paulzimmermanroses.com.
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