Future generations may never know the beauty of Diana, Princess of Wales, sniff Catalina in the sunshine or fall for Beloved.
For a century, devoted gardeners have appreciated the marvels of delicate and finicky hybrid roses and referred to them by name, like pets or family. The product of generations of breeding, the queen of flowers could act like a spoiled princess because its delicate blooms offered a special reward.
In recent years, though, time-strapped homeowners have traded their big teas for compact shrub roses – utilitarian soldiers in the landscape that could cover ground without fuss.
Our desire for the carefree – no-iron shirts, no-wax floors, and now low-maintenance yards – has brought California's rose industry to a crossroads.
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