In Pursuit of Roses: A Master Rosarian's Insights on Modern Roses, Diversity, and Disease Resistance

Roses have a reputation for being high-maintenance, but the best rose breeders are chasing a different future: roses that bloom for months, shrug off disease, and succeed for everyday gardeners. We sit down with Dr. David Zlesak, a master rosarian and rose breeder, to unpack how roses went from ancient treasures traded across regions to the modern plants you see at big box stores and independent nurseries. We dig into the deep history of cultivated roses, including how genetics is rewriting ...