Romance in Bloom

Elegant and Expressive—Roses Remain an East End Garden Classic

There’s always a certain timelessness about a rose garden. They bring not only elegance but also order, fragrance, and atmosphere. Few plants are versatile enough to perform that way—roses can be espaliered or trellised over fences and arbors, massed as sculptural shrubs, or fit easily into blended perennial borders. Their shapes range from small miniatures to vigorous climbers, and their color range runs from soft pastels to deep reds, rich mauves, and cream-colored ivories.

Successful rose gardening starts with location. You’ll need a sunny spot with good air circulation—roses need at least six hours a day of direct sunshine. Regular deep watering, especially in droughts, will keep your flowers robust; one inch of water per week is a good rule of thumb. You should also feed regularly: fertilize three times a year—when pruning or planting in the spring, after your initial flowering cycle, and in late summer when you desire healthy growth but don’t wish to push too much growth before fall. Aroma is where roses are most convincing. Certain varieties have a strong, sugary scent; others have citrus or musk undertones that develop throughout the day. Morning, in particular, is typically peak scent time, so it’s a good time to bring some stems indoors. 

Wes Harvell, Head Rosarian for Jackson & Perkins, says “Coastal conditions can be tough on roses, but with the right varieties and soil prep, you can enjoy beautiful, low-maintenance blooms. Salt-tolerant varieties of rugosa and landscape roses are especially resilient in the Hamptons—and a little compost and wind protection go a long way in their overall health and vigor.”

English roses have also earned a place in many of the East End’s most elegant gardens. With a bushy disposition and sculptural flowers, they are equally at home in tightly ordered rose beds or more informal, naturalistic plantings. Their forms vary—from upright to gently arching—and when planted in groups of three, they create dense shrubs with visual weight and layered blooms that appear continuously throughout the season.

“New York’s coastal climate calls for roses that can handle salty air and humidity while still looking gorgeous. April & Ashley’s Summerrose™, Chantilly Lace™, Georgia Peach™, Northanger Abbey™, and Polar Star™ are all beautiful, hardy choices that stand up to the unique challenges of the East End shoreline,” says Tyler Francis, CEO of April & Ashley.

For ideas, perhaps one of the prettiest places to view roses on the East End is in Southampton Village, where there are five public gardens maintained by the Southampton Rose Society. You should definitely stop by the rose garden right next to Rogers Memorial Library—it’s gorgeous, well-maintained, and well-labeled. It’s just a living catalog for gardeners to view, compare, and perhaps complement their own collections.

In every garden, roses have a certain elegance. Whether anchoring a formal estate garden or emphasizing the rhythm of a perennial border, they are always a sign of refined garden style—lyrical, long-lived, and always blooming.