July 4, 1776, is the date the Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. Declaration of Independence which cut ties with Great Britain. July 19, 1776, Congress ordered the Declaration of Independence to be handwritten on parchment paper. Timothy Matlock, assistant to Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, was charged with writing this historic document.
Once the Declaration of Independence was written, it was signed by all delegates attending the Second Continental Congress on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (later renamed Independence Hall). John Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress and was first to sign the Declaration of Independence. The other fifty-six delegates attending the event signed, beginning with northern states and ending with southern states.
On America’s 250th birthday this year, our garden club members honor America with red, white and blue flowering plants in containers or in their gardens. Some garden clubs are planting red, white and blue flowering plants around their Blue or Gold Star Memorial markers.
Several roses have patriotic names which make them ideal to plant in honor of our country’s special birthday. “Fourth of July” is a climbing rose with red and white striped, single blooms. It reaches a height of 8-10 feet if grown on a trellis or arbor. It can also be trained to grow along a fence or wall and be pruned to any size you wish. A sweet apple fragrance and glossy, green leaves make this an ideal rose to add to your garden.
“Stars ‘n’ Stripes Forever” was originally hybridized to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. This is a low-growing shrub rose that can be grown in a container or in your garden. Its clusters of two-inch red and white striped, semi-double blooms make it a pretty container plant to display near your front door or on your porch or patio. Multiple plants can be grown to form a hedge.
“Let Freedom Ring” is a beautiful hybrid tea rose with dark-red blooms. It was hybridized by WWII veteran, Ernest Earman, and is the perfect red rose to honor America.
Why not celebrate our country’s 250th birthday this year by planting a patriotic rose or two. Plant them at the proper time for your growing zone, and you will have beautiful roses to enjoy year after year. Happy Fourth of July! Let Freedom Ring!
Karen Bowen, Blog Manager
Oakleaf hydrangea in bloom – 1
