A Rose in Roseville Writes About More Hostas, Herbs and Roses

My first blog was about a hosta root I'd planted in anticipation of planting it outside this spring. 

As a gardener, you would have expected me to know all about this plant since hostas are one of the plants most used for shade gardens in Minnesota.  I have a few hosta but they aren't plants to which I've given much attention.

When I moved into my house, about half a hundred years ago, there were huge hosta plants all over places and I didn't want them.  I found a person who did want some of the plants and he offered to help dig them out - for which I was most grateful. 

The plants were so big with roots so deep we used an ax to chop them into sections so they could be removed.  I haven't had much enthusiasm for hosta since then.

I'm really a "rose" person.  Yes, my name is Rose, I live in Roseville, I grow roses, show roses, judge roses.  And now I've found a new avenue for my rose addiction!

The "International Herb Association" has named the ROSE the official Herb of the year 2012.  This may seem astonishing to some people; however, the rose has been used as a seasoning, for medicinal purposes, for teas, perfumes and decorations for many, many years.

Jim Long of "Long Creek Herbs" in Blue Eye, Missouri has written a small book titled "How to Eat a Rose".  To get more information about this book, other books he has written, his gardens and/or about Jim, go to www.LongCreekHerbs.com or to his blog at www.YouTube/longcreekherbs.

 CAUTION: if you decide to eat a rose, use rose petals for garnish or make roe hip tea - don't use pesticides or other chemicals on or around plants you plan to use.

If you want more information about roses or about the Minnesota Rose Society, email me at gardenrose@q.com