Hooray, the roses are out! This is one of the roses in my backyard that smells like nutmeg! Do you have a favorite rose? Let us know what it is and why. Maybe it's a Knockout, because it's laughs in the face of blackspot and rust and can brave sub-zero temps. Or maybe it's a David Austin beauty that is more fragile but more lucious, with super-fragrant blooms and endless layers of cupped petals. Due to all of the rain, of course, we haven't been able to enjoy any roses as much as we'd like. But looking on the bright side we hope comes soon, none of our gardens are withering from lack of water! So here we are: The first colorful flush is almost done, and we can expect a few more before summer's done if we keep deadheading, fertilizing every 4 to 6 weeks, and squishing those aphids. But, please, don'tunder any circumstances, squish the soon-to-be-invading Japanese Beetles. Just drown them in soapy water! Squishing releases pheromones that attract more of those little iridescent buggers. Here endeth the lesson.