Question
I have an area in the backyard that needs some color, I would like to put in roses, but which kind will produce a "sheet like" effect of roses.  I have several spots I can choose from here in Alabama.

Thanks, Jeff

Answer
Most roses grow on a bush that produces smaller ones and on these smaller canes they produce a flower. That means that the overall look of a rose bush is, for lack of a better word, spotty. To get the effect you want you would have to go to what is known as a shrub rose. These rose bushes produce more, but not as perfect, flowers than say the hybrid teas. You will not get the sheet look from a hybrid tea but you will get a larger and more perfect rose shape. Also roses don't bloom continuously, they have what is called flushes. The first flush comes in the early summer, they rest and build up, and then the next flush comes in the middle of the summer. Also to get the colour effect you want, you will have to plant them closer than recommended and then they will look like one sheet of colour. Tea roses will do well in your area but most come in pastel colours but there are some that are brighter. I would ask the garden center fro any roses that always have some flowers on them and are in bright colours. if you fertilize the roses monthly and give them lots of water, especially if the weather turns very hot, then you should be able to keep them producing flowers and so create your sheet of colour.