Topsail Island, NC - (NAPSA)-Everyone agrees that roses are beautiful, but many also believe that roses are hard to grow. Today, nothing could be farther from the truth. New varieties give homeowners exactly what they want-brilliant roses that are a breeze to grow. Plus, roses are the only plant that will bloom repeatedly throughout the season: a sweet reward for very little effort.

With hybridizing advances, roses are more vigorous, fragrant and will bloom more frequently than ever before. If you have sunlight and water, you have what it takes to raise the perfect rose.
Sadly, the rose remains shrouded in misconception. Here are four myth busters that prove you don't need a green thumb to successfully grow roses.

Myth 1: Amateurs need not apply. Think that only expert gardeners can grow roses, and the rest of us should throw in the trowel? Wrong! The truth is that roses are very easy to grow. The key is to start with the best varieties from your local garden center. Look for roses that have won the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) seal of approval. Only the very best new roses are named AARS winners. These are sure to flower to your heart's content with minimal effort.

Myth 2: Roses are labor intensive. Roses have an undeserved reputation for being high maintenance and fussy. If you think growing roses means constantly spraying, grooming, feeding and pruning, think again. Experts agree that success can be as easy as choosing an award-winning rose plant and giving it regular water and six hours of sun a day.

Myth 3: All roses are disease prone. In reality, the number of disease-resistant roses has been steadily increasing, which means that it's now possible to find gorgeous, worry-free roses that will flourish with little effort.

Myth 4: Only old roses are proven performers. Many people are sentimental and tend to stick with roses they know from their childhood memories. In truth, new varieties are more vigorous, have more blooms and are easier to care for. Not many people covet the old Edsels these days, so in the same vein, now is a good time to introduce a modern rose plant to your garden.

What's the easiest way to conquer these myths? Look for the All-America Rose Selections' "seal of approval," which means you'll be getting the best roses for your garden. Only AARS winners have passed two years of testing in 23 gardens across the U.S., representing all climate zones. These roses have proven themselves in the AARS gardens, so they're sure to thrive in yours. For more tips and information, visit www.rose.org.