Hybrid teas are the most popular garden roses. They usually produce one flower per stem, on plants from 2-6 feet high. Grandifloras are bigger and taller, sometimes 8-10 feet high. Floribundas produce quantities of flowers in clusters on bushy plants usually shorter than hybrid teas. Polyanthas have smaller flowers than floribundas, carried in larger bunches on many canes.

Climbing roses come in several types. Some, such as climbing sports (mutations exactly like the parent except for growth habit) of hybrid teas, are everblooming. Many old-fashioned climbing types bloom mainly in spring. Climbing roses send up long bendy canes that usually don’t end with a flower bud like standard roses; most of the flowers occur on side shoots that spring from the canes. Some types of climbers can be used as ground covers, and some can be grown as large free-standing shrubs, but most need support such as a fence or an arbor.

Pillar roses are similar to climbing roses. They have tall canes that are less bendy than those of climbing roses. They can be trained straight up a post or pillar or the corner of your house and will bloom all the way from the ground to the tops of their canes. Miniature roses are natural dwarf versions of all the above types of rose. The only difference is that their canes, stems, flowers, and leaves are scaled down in size. There are other types of roses, including many fine old-fashioned varieties, although hybrid teas are still the local favorite. Floribundas, climbers, and old-fashioned roses and modern shrub roses (those with a more graceful shape than the stiff hybrid tea rose bush) are disease resistant and easy to grow.

Camellias bloom in fall through spring, when few other plants do. Camellias are also one of the few exceptions to the usual rule of not planting when a plant is in bloom. Many varieties are at their peak now, so it's a good time to buy and plant.

Camellia japonica is the most popular of all the camellias because of its wide variety of colors. With either double or single form 4" symmetrical flowers and with glossy bright leaves, Camellia japonicas provide color and beauty.

Camellia sasanquas are also very popular. They also have been bred into a variety of flower colors, sizes and shapes.

The japonicas tend to bloom later than the sasanquas but both may be found blooming in January.

This is an ideal shrub to grow in shaded plant groupings, even as close as three feet from house foundations, sidewalks or patios, because the roots are not invasive.

Since they tend to spread out as they grow, plant them about 5 feet apart.

Camellias also do well as container plants for those who don't have much ground space. They make great 'patio plants' for this reason.

Make sure the soil has a pH of 6.0-6.5 and drains well. Camellias do not like 'wet feet'! Avoid overwatering, and watch out for camellia blight, a fungus that causes buds and flowers to brown and decay. To control this malady, clear away and dispose of any spent flowers and fallen leaves.