This rose is red. But it can also be green!

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a rose bush.  And yesterday, I planted it.  Friday was Arbor Day, and I wanted to plant something that is tree-like at the very least.

I rent my apartment and planting a tree is not an option.

But the rose bush?  My landlord wouldn’t mind if I asked him and won’t notice it anyway (I didn’t ask).  You might want to ask, depending upon your landlord if you rent and before you dig, check that you won’t hit any cables with your shovel by calling the right people (your power company may be the best place to start).

But there’s more to my reasoning for planting a rose bush.

Why?  And how is this, “green”?  Why would I recommend it to you?  Let’s take a look!

First, why?

I like roses, and they’re relatively easy to maintain.  It took me about twenty minutes to plant and was inexpensive at about seven bucks.  The bush will come back year after year with some care, maybe occasional watering (I’m already going out there to water other plants).  I’ll have to learn to prune, but some basic reading online or in books at the library should prepare me for that.

Roses brighten others’ days and being able to go pluck one off of the bush to give to a friend or significant other is great because it’s inexpensive but just (if not more) special because you grew it!  Plus, I’ll be moving out of this apartment (who knows when) but the rose bush will remain and can benefit others and is overall, a “green,” thing to do!

Oh, it’s green, huh?  How is this, “green”?

In the most simple sense, factory farms can be rather abusive to people and the environment.  Agricultural workers often get paid very little and work in very harsh conditions.  Even if I buy fair trade, organic roses or other flowers, they still were shipped to the store by truck often from far away.

My rose bush, on the other hand, will be maintained with very little effort because I’m not out to make a profit and it is only one bush.  The labor is my own and for my own enjoyment.  No shipping besides my two legs will be involved in getting some flowers from out my back door (the transportation of the rose bush itself aside).

Additionally, the rose bush, like a tree, but on a smaller scale, is part of a cycle that involves nutrients, water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other gases.  It filters the air, gives off oxygen, captures carbon dioxide (albeit a small amount) and is part of the urban landscape in which I live that needs in every way to become even more filled with living, breathing plants.

Plants, including trees and shrubs, help to prevent desertification in places downwind, because the droplets of moisture our plants put into the air are part of the cloud formation process that naturally irrigate our lands.  It may just be, “only,” one shrub, but if everyone partakes in a little planting, the joint effort can make a significant positive envirohuman impact.

Also, the beautiful rose blooms will be attractive to not only people, but insects, like bees!  The bees will help to pollinate the roses and I would be willing to bet my other plants in my garden, like the soon-to-be-planted blueberry bush and tomato plants.  So this provides food for the insects upon which are entire food supply is dependent and helps make sure enough insects will be attracted by the colorful blooms to help the edible plants in my garden get the necessary attention from them.

Why would I recommend this to you?

Well, the two main reasons above : I like roses (as do others), it’s inexpensive and easy, and it’s a greener option!  Mainly, this is just a small way that you can become a little greener.  Don’t like roses?  Maybe they don’t grow well where you live?  Go to your local nursery and ask them for some advice.  As a child, I helped my mother to plant daffodil bulbs along the long stretch of our sidewalk and they came back year after year, with no further effort.

P.S. I once saw and wanted to link to this amazing valley that one woman has covered in (if my memory serves) yellow flowers for years that of course keep coming back.  It’s a sight to behold, but I can’t seem to find it.  If anyone knows where that website is and can send a link, I would most appreciate it!

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