What are the advantages and disadvantages of “Own Root” roses?
A. Roses on their Own Roots have numerous excellent qualities, and a few drawbacks to take into account. 1. Roses which have been propagated on their Own Roots possess identical root systems and top growth. Any shoots originating from the base of the plant, or from below ground, will BE the desired variety. In the event of damage to the top of the rose (from people, animals, tools, machines, or weather), an established plant should be able to renew or replace itself from its Own Roots. Such roses offer remarkable endurance in the long run – and will never burden the gardener with ongoing trouble from a competing understock. 2. Own Root roses make much more integrated and natural-looking specimens; they manifest the style and habit of their individual class. Such roses grow gracefully from their basal shoots and even when ancient are always renewable through pruning. The gardener never has to contend with trying to manage the gnarled “bud-union” of roses on understock – which becomes ev
