In many ways, we rose gardeners are fortunate in our choice of pastimes.
Roses are their own reward.
Our hardy charges can thrive in a variety of environments, responding to even minimal attention with vivid sprays of blooms. They bounce right back from physical damage that would kill many another flowering species, extending the wine-red shoots of new growth within days. While they love water, they handle dry spells well, and it takes true cold to dampen their vigorous growth. Their blooms are lovely and aromatic, and if you're ambitious you can even make jelly from the spent rose hips. Infection by any of these factors, alone or together, can result in a sickly rose bush that brings little joy to anyone's life.