August Plant of the Month: Witherspoon Roses

This fall, we're thrilled to kick off a new partnership withWitherspoon Roses! Looking to shop local? Here's your chance. Durham Garden Center is one of the only places you can get your hands on these gorgeous roses (outside of Witherspoon themselves). We'll be receiving fresh deliveries of stunning colors and varieties every Thursday, so be sure to check back often. Take a look at photos from our first few deliveries below! 

Roses are one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world, with fossil evidence dating back roughly 35 million years and a cultivation history stretching back at least 5,000 years. They belong to the Rosaceae family, making them close botanical relatives of apples, pears, cherries, and strawberries. Today there are over 300 wild species and tens of thousands of cultivated varieties, ranging from small clusters to sprawling climbers. Even their thorns are a bit of a misnomer. Technically called "prickles" since they grow from the stem's outer layer rather than the wood itself. Beyond their beauty, roses are surprisingly useful: their fruit, known as rose hips, is packed with vitamin C and often used in teas and jams. With the right care, a rose bush can thrive for decades. The oldest known example, growing on a wall of Germany's Hildesheim Cathedral, is estimated to be over 700 years old and still blooms every spring!

For a month by month care guide, check out their website here.