Carefree Beauty

Carefree Beauty is a wonderful shrub rose whose fragrant blooms are perfect for cutting. This medium-pink rose was hybridized by Dr. Griffith Buck in 1977. As with most Buck roses, it is winter-hardy and disease-resistant.

The long, pointed buds of Carefree Beauty open to 4-5 inches, with a semi-double to double bloom form of 15-20 petals. These blooms repeat until frost. Remove the spent blooms to encourage a heavier bloom. Flowers are followed by oval, orange hips in the fall. Dark, green foliage characterizes this vigorous, upright shrub, which reaches a height and width of 4-5 feet. It can be used as a low shrub or in mass plantings. Medium to tall blue flowers make nice companion plants for the lovely pink blooms of Carefree Beauty.

This rose is hardy to zone 4 and needs no winter protection. It is a low-maintenance shrub which is seldom bothered by blackspot or powdery mildew. Carefree Beauty is a good choice for the northern Michigan garden.

To read more about Dr. Griffith Buck and his roses, click on the following web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/rose1.html