What On Earth Is Earth-Kind™
By: Brian Puckett, Vice Chairman Helena Beautification Board
If you follow the Helena Beautification Board or have driven through Helena, AL lately you have seen these words. Earth-Kind™. You have probably thought to yourself, what in the world is this and why are people starting to make a big deal about it in Helena? Wonder no more, I will unpack it all for you right now. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
So, what exactly does Earth-Kind™ mean? It is the result of research, as a means to determine sustainability. It’s a certification that ultimately brings beautiful no hassle roses and plants into the forefront of home gardeners minds so that they too can experience no-hassle plants.
It all started at Texas A&M back in the early 1990’s where research started to see what types of roses would be able to withstand the heat, drought conditions of a summer in the deep south, be disease and pest tolerant, and most of all bloom repeatedly. Hundreds of different varieties of roses are planted and studied for up to five years by Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension. the best of the best granted the highly esteemed Earth-Kind™ Certification. There are currently 21 different roses that have this certification.
The Helena Beautification Board has partnered with Texas A&M to conduct a 3 year confirmational trial to determine the next generation of roses that will be bestowed the Earth-Kind™ Certification. The list that started out as hundreds is now down to 24 cultivars that Texas A & M feels might have Earth-Kind potential. Our research will consist of planting each plant three different times and then observe the growth of each plant. The best scores will win!
Still think roses are too hard to grow? Think again. Earth-Kind™ roses do not require any pesticides, chemicals, or watering and during this trial, these roses won’t receive any either. Yes, you read that correctly, no watering other than what falls from the sky. No need to be a mad scientist either; trying to figure out what needs to be mixed and applied to the plant. These plants are sustainable on their own.
It is so simple even I can do it. The end result is a rose that anyone who knows how to dig a hole can enjoy in their own landscape. So, as the trial progresses, we invite you to stop by and check out how our Earth-Kind garden grows and discover for yourself just how easy it is to grow beautiful roses.
Find out more about our trial and the roses being planted at www.helenabeautiful.com/ekhome.html
So, what exactly does Earth-Kind™ mean? It is the result of research, as a means to determine sustainability. It’s a certification that ultimately brings beautiful no hassle roses and plants into the forefront of home gardeners minds so that they too can experience no-hassle plants.
It all started at Texas A&M back in the early 1990’s where research started to see what types of roses would be able to withstand the heat, drought conditions of a summer in the deep south, be disease and pest tolerant, and most of all bloom repeatedly. Hundreds of different varieties of roses are planted and studied for up to five years by Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension. the best of the best granted the highly esteemed Earth-Kind™ Certification. There are currently 21 different roses that have this certification.
The Helena Beautification Board has partnered with Texas A&M to conduct a 3 year confirmational trial to determine the next generation of roses that will be bestowed the Earth-Kind™ Certification. The list that started out as hundreds is now down to 24 cultivars that Texas A & M feels might have Earth-Kind potential. Our research will consist of planting each plant three different times and then observe the growth of each plant. The best scores will win!
Still think roses are too hard to grow? Think again. Earth-Kind™ roses do not require any pesticides, chemicals, or watering and during this trial, these roses won’t receive any either. Yes, you read that correctly, no watering other than what falls from the sky. No need to be a mad scientist either; trying to figure out what needs to be mixed and applied to the plant. These plants are sustainable on their own.
It is so simple even I can do it. The end result is a rose that anyone who knows how to dig a hole can enjoy in their own landscape. So, as the trial progresses, we invite you to stop by and check out how our Earth-Kind garden grows and discover for yourself just how easy it is to grow beautiful roses.
Find out more about our trial and the roses being planted at www.helenabeautiful.com/ekhome.html
Current Earth-Kind™ Roses
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* Marie Daly – Dwarf Shrub
* Souvenir de St. Anne’s – Dwarf Shrub * The Fairy – Dwarf Shrub * Caldwell Pink – Small Shrub * Cecile Brunner – Small Shrub * Perle d’Or – Small Shrub * Belinda’s Dream – Medium Shrub * Carefree Beauty – Medium Shrub * Ducher – Medium Shrub * Duchesse de Brabant – Medium Shrub * Else Poulsen – Medium Shrub |
* Georgetown Tea – Medium Shrub
* Knock Out – Medium Shrub * La Marne – Medium Shrub * Madame Antoine Mari – Medium Shrub * Mutabilis – Medium Shrub * Spice – Medium Shrub * Climbing Pinkie – Climber * Sea Foam – Climber * New Dawn – Vigorous Climber * Reve d’Or – Vigorous Climber |
About the Author
A twelve-year resident of Helena, Brian is actively involved in civic and faith based initiatives and is currently serving as Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Helena Beautification Board and a second term on the Riverchase Business Association Board of Directors, where his eye for design has help lead the Riverchase ARC. Brian has an MBA and works at Regions Bank. Mr. Puckett is married with two daughters. With a knack for design, Brian makes ideas come to life. His eye for detail bodes well from small planter flower selections to grandiose projects. A skilled woodcrafter, he recently showcased his skills in the various holiday displays throughout Old Town.