Where to find it: Bailey Nurseries. Go to www.baileynurseries.com/ and search by ZIP code for a garden center near you.

What it is:  An everblooming tree rose, grown on its own root, developed specifically for Northern gardeners (Rosa ‘BAIore’, Zones 4 to 7)

What I thought: I have always loved the look of a rose standard, so I was thrilled to plant a Polar Joy tree rose in my raised-bed perennial garden, surrounding it with four lavender plants. Polar Joy made a striking vertical accent in my Zone 4 garden, and produced lovely soft pink blossoms all summer long. But when the temperature dropped, I wondered how my tree rose was going to survive the winter. I called the folks at Bailey Nurseries and asked them how I should protect my beloved tree rose from the long, harsh Minnesota winter. I was told to do nothing. Not a thing. Just let it be. So I took their advice, and I left my tree rose alone. I was skeptical that I would see its pink blossoms again. Polar Joy not only came back that first winter, but also survived two more Minnesota winters. The tree rose has also improved my social life. I’ve met more of my neighbors because everyone stops to admire this striking beauty.

—Gail Johnson, managing editor, Gardening How-To