National Earth Kind Rose Trial

Project Description

Earth-Kind® Environmentally Sustainable Landscaping Principles were developed in connection with research started at Texas A&M in the early 1990’s in response to requests from landscape professionals for recommendations on roses that gave not only outstanding performance in southern gardens, but also had the characteristics of being low maintenance. This ongoing effort has resulted in the designation of 23 rose cultivars as Earth-Kind®.

The research protocol is simple. It excludes the use of synthetic, natural, organic fertilizers and pesticides, and limits the use of supplemental irrigation. The success of this research effort relies on plants with strong genetics and the use of wood mulch.

The object of Earth-Kind® Environmentally Sustainable Landscaping is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening to create a horticultural system based on real world effectiveness and environmental responsibility. Earth-Kind® Landscaping encourages:

·         Landscape water conservation

·         Reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use

·         Landscaping for energy conservation

·         Reduction of landscape wastes entering landfills

The Earth-Kind® Rose Trial Research expanded to 27 states, with eight major universities participating, five countries and numerous botanical gardens.

The Earth-Kind® roses being tested are Marie Daly, The Fairy, Cecile Brunner and Carefree Beauty. We have three of each variety. In addition there are three David Austin roses: two Harlow Carrs and one Alynwick.

This Project is the first research garden for Earth-Kind® Roses in the arid Southwest and the first research garden for Santa Fe Master Gardeners.

The Earth-Kind® roses being tested are:

Marie Daly (3),                     Mature size – 3’ tall x 3’ wide

The Fairy (3)                         Mature size – 3’ tall x 4’ wide

Cecile Brunner (3)               Mature size – 4’ tall x 4’ wide

Carefree Beauty (3)             Mature size – 5’ tall x 5’ wide

In addition there are three David Austin roses:

Harlow Carr (2)                    Mature size – 4’ tall x 3’ wide

Alynwick (1)                           Mature size – 4’ tall x 3’ wide

Project Goal

The National Earth-Kind® Rose Field Trial was established in 2013 to determine if the Earth-Kind® Environmentally Sustainable Landscaping would work in Santa Fe’s unique environment of soil, temperature, rainfall, local compost and mulch, and identify Earth-Kind® Roses that do well in Santa Fe. 

Location

The Earth-Kind® Rose Field Trial is one of the gardens surrounding the Extension office at the Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road. The research garden is open to the public anytime this area is open.