Question: How can I find the very best rose bushes?

Answer: Merchandising and buying habits have really changed over the past couple of decades. We once bought primarily bare-rooted nurseries, but now most independent retail garden centers, as well as large national chains, sell their roses potted and growing. If you’re buying bare-rooted stock, buy in late January or early February. Potted plants are at their prime in April and May. Budded roses should be in 2- or 3-gallon pots, while own-root roses (grown from cuttings) are often sold in 1-gallon containers.

As for varieties of roses, the best types are likely to be labeled as ‘EarthKind’®. That’s a Texas A&M designation that ensures a variety is able to stand up to Texas growing conditions with minimal care and spraying.