And this leads to the next concern. Is the bed in a location where spray drift, even of a relatively benign product, is going to be a problem with neighbors or other plants. Beds in the front yard take a beating from fall and winter storms. I do not grow rose trees in that bed, and the taller grandifloras are grown on the north end of the bed where they are somewhat buffered by shorter varieties. I also have to stake more than someone with less wind.
Neighbors pose a number of curious problems.
Bob Gold has a neighbor 10 feet above him, who planted a David Austin rose highly susceptible to blackspot on the adjoining fence, right above Bob s prize Hybrid Teas. I have heard tales of city lot gardens with roses planted by the sidewalk where passersby cannot resist taking a prize bloom or two. Kids and pets are generally a problem if they cannot tell the difference between lawn and a flowerbed. And, finally, microclimate. Every part of your yard is a little different temperature, wind, rainfall, sunlight.