Matthew Ingram's gardening journey took root in a small patio garden during his law school days in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, inspired by the wisdom of his "PawPaw." Now a corporate attorney in Southwest Ohio, Matthew finds peace in his sprawling 5-acre sanctuary. Through his YouTube channel, he shares the triumphs and challenges of nurturing his vibrant oasis, which boasts over 800 perennials and annuals, 40+ dahlias, 100+ shrubs, 30+ trees, and 30+ roses.

"My earliest memory of growing roses was from my grandfather. It's hard to beat the fragrance and beauty that a rose provides," Matthew recalls. This childhood inspiration led him to start growing his own roses in 2019 after establishing a garden at his first home.

His first order included the Lady of Shalott, which Matthew describes as "a gorgeous and vigorous orange rose with a wonderful fragrance." This rose marked the beginning of his deep connection with growing roses, both for their beauty and scent.

Tips for Zone 6 Gardeners

Gardening in Zone 6 has its challenges, but Matthew has developed strategies to keep his roses thriving. "Pests have often been a problem," he shares.

"More often we have issues with sawfly in Spring and early Summer. The Heirloom Roses beneficial insect program contains predatory insects which can handle sawfly. Since receiving my first delivery, I have seen an improvement on the leaves of new growth."

Matthew also contends with high humidity, which can lead to fungal diseases like blackspot. "I've made a point in selecting roses that are resistant to these issues, but use a copper fungicide from time to time as a preventative," he advises.

His key advice for selecting roses? "Choose a rose carefully based on the traits you would like and the care you would like to provide... I encourage people to first narrow down by growing zone, then select size, rebloom capability, disease resistance, and lighting conditions."

Matthew's Favorite Varieties

When it comes to choosing a favorite rose, Matthew admits, "It is incredibly hard to pick a favorite." However, he has a soft spot for The Poet's Wife, a stunning yellow rose. "It reminds me of my grandmother who enjoyed yellow roses the most. I've placed it prominently in the front flower bed to greet guests."

He also enjoys Distant Drums and similar roses like The Impressionist. "The pastels of pinks and oranges are really my favorite combinations to work into the garden," Matthew explains. "Those roses oftentimes change colors depending on the temperature outside, so you can get varied colors throughout the season, which is fun."

"Roses just make people happy," Matthew says. "If you can find ones that also smell wonderful, giving them to friends and neighbors in a bouquet of flowers you've grown yourself is most satisfying and rewarding."

Matthew’s journey is a beautiful reminder of the joy roses can bring, not only to your garden but to your home and community. Let his story inspire you to cultivate your own rose garden in Zone 6, where beauty and fragrance are just a few steps away.