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Own-Root Roses, Consultation & Rose Care
Exceptional Hardiness
Own-root roses offer many significant benefits over grafted roses, making them an excellent choice for gardeners.
One of their most remarkable characteristics is exceptional winter hardiness. In the event of extreme cold or mechanical damage to canes above ground, these roses typically will regenerate vigorously from their roots, as the entire plant is true to variety. This eliminates the common frustration of grafted roses where winter kill results in the rootstock taking over and producing a completely different rose than originally planted. And, unlike grafted roses, there is no need to protect a graft union or fight rootstock emergence, which simplifies their care considerably.
Long Life
Own-root roses typically live longer than their grafted counterparts, often thriving for decades when properly maintained.
They generally lead healthier lives as well, as they avoid the potential incompatibility issues that can arise between rootstock and scion in grafted roses. Own-root roses establish more robust, extensive root systems over time, which enhances their drought tolerance and overall vigor. They are also less susceptible to certain diseases and problems commonly associated with graft unions, such as crown gall.
If you are seeking low-maintenance, long-lived rose plants that will remain true to type year after year, own-root roses represent a sustainable investment that reward gardeners with reliability and longevity.
About David Pell
I was raised in the Piedmont of North Carolina, and my father put me to work in our family landscaping company when I was only 6 years old. I’ve been a passionate gardener ever since. Over the years I’ve been a rosarian, landscape contractor, state park ranger, certified arborist, nursery worker, and formal gardener.
As part of my experience, from 2019 to 2024 I held the position of rosarian at the historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, which has been cultivated since 1895 and currently maintains over 200 cultivars that are planted in French formal and English border designs. This tenure firmly rooted me in the soils of Western North Carolina, where my love of roses continues to grow along with my business.
Roses also were a passion of my mom’s, and I enjoy the constant reminder of her in my everyday work.
My formal education includes degrees in Fish and Wildlife Science and Natural Resource Management. I also completed Police Academy, massage college, and yoga instructor training—just to be a well-rounded gardener. My massage therapy practice, Quiet Man Wellness, draws on the essence of the rose, which has the highest vibrational frequency of any flower, to help clients harmonize and entrain their energy centers.