A rose is a rose is a rose…until now. Fair Park is the beneficiary of a cooperative effort to introduce a new type of low-maintenance rose to Dallas. Named ‘EarthKind,’ it is a joint project for the Texas A & M Research/Cooperative Extension Center Dallas, Fair Park and the State Fair of Texas.
In Spring 2005, Texas A & M provided the roses free of charge and planted them in a bed near the Fair Park Coliseum. The State Fair furnished various materials required and Fair Park supplied labor to prepare the bed. The EarthKind rose concept was started by Dr. Steve George, an extension horticulturist in Dallas, to provide Texas homeowners with beautiful roses that do not need much maintenance and can thrive in almost any type of soil, even under trying conditions.
“EarthKind is certainly unique among roses,” explains Donny Shubert, Operations Manager for Fair Park. “We don’t have to fertilize, prune or trim the bush back, or even spray pesticides. And EarthKind is so drought-resistant that after six to nine months, it only needs to be watered every 10-14 days! Hence the name EarthKind; it requires no damaging chemicals and it’s ‘kind’ to growers.”
Wait a minute. Can such a low maintenance, easy-to-grow rose produce big, gorgeous blooms? “We’re told it will grow so rapidly that some bushes will average 6 feet wide by 6 feet tall at maturity!” adds Mr. Shubert. “The colors are equally extraordinary: vivid red, orange, salmon and other hues. Fairgoers will also enjoy their fabulous scents…and intriguing names like ‘Belinda’s Dream’ and ‘Knockout’.”
Horticulturists from the Extension agency will inspect the bed regularly for three years, recording growth, look and any problems. A ‘test’ bed installed at the City of Addison also indicates what to expect.
Looks like Fair Park can claim yet another distinction as home to the perfect petals, according to Donny Shubert. “With such an opportunity to have a maintenance-free, chemical-free bed of EarthKind roses—free of charge—I’d say we’re pretty fortunate!”
