Roses - Tips from Dirty Hands Garden Center

A few simple “rules” for growing roses are:

Success with roses begins with successful selection. Choose only #1 grade roses with at least three vigorous canes. A “bargain” rose may be no bargain!
Site selection is extremely important, when growing roses. Choose a location that is well-drained, with at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Early morning shade allows leaves to remain moist which encourages many leaf diseases.
Roses grow best with a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5, which is easy to do in our area.
An even supply of moisture is important, but good drainage is imperative. Roses do appreciate wet “feet”!
Roses are heavy feeders. Choose an organic or slow-release fertilizer with a high level of phosphate (the middle number in fertilizers).
Mulching around roses will help to retain moisture and control weeds, but do not pack the mulch material deeply around the crown (base) of the plant!
Spent blossoms should be removed regularly to promote further bloom, and to prevent fungal problems.
Hybrid tea roses should be pruned in early spring to remove dead, weak, and diseased wood. The goal is to achieve an opening in the center, or “vase”, in order to allow for good air circulation.

When selecting roses, it is important to consider your space and requirements, as well as personal preferences. There are several rose classifications:

Shrub roses - Resemble flowering shrubs with flowers that are small to medium, usually open in appearance. These are very hardy and disease resistant, and may bloom several times during a season. This is a good choice for those with little time to spend cultivating, or first-time rosearians.

Climbing roses - Bear long arching canes that can reach six feet or more in length. This group is subdivided into a) large flowering climbers that bear large blossoms on and off during the summer and b) rambling climbers with thinner more flexible canes bearing several small blossoms, once in the summer. Remember that roses have no tendrils or air roots by which to hold onto trellises, arbors, or other structures. They must be fastened loosely to what they are growing on.

Hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora - Grandifloras are taller (up to six feet) and are excellent for the back of the border. The hybrid teas are smaller (3 to 5 feet) and are well suited for the middle of the border. They also have many-petaled blossoms borne on long, straight stems. Floribundas are usually the shortest and bloom in large clusters.

Miniature roses – Smaller versions (6 to 18 inches) of other types of roses. They are useful as edging, in container, window boxes, and planters, and bloom throughout the season, into fall.

Groundcover roses - A combination of several traits, these are also useful in containers, but work best as spreaders to control erosion, or to cover an unsightly embankment.

Most problems with roses are the result of culture habits (this is where the human factor plays an important role). If plants are leggy and fail to flower, they are probably not getting the necessary sunlight. Move these to a new location. If the blossoms do not open fully and thrips are not the culprit, it may be due to “balling”. This occurs when the blossoms open halfway and then stop. Usually, this is due to cool nights or dark, damp days. Good growth will begin if you the blooms are cut off and weather conditions improve. The dieback of new foliage can be due to excessive fertilization, and may be remedied by watering well for 2-3 days. Again, organic or slow-release fertilizers work best. Companion planting roses with marigolds, garlic, and lavender can help reduce damage due to many pests and diseases.

There are so many fabulous roses available to us, the choices are endless. Do not become so focused on one particular variety that you overlook the attributes of another. Visit your local garden center to see the roses firsthand, in order to make a proper assessment. Do not rely solely on photos and descriptions in catalogs, magazines, and newspapers. Roses are not only beautiful to behold, their hips (the little, red bulbous growth left after each blossom) provide a marvelous source of vitamin C! With a little planning and a small amount of effort, you too, can boast a bed or vase of bodacious blossoms, and say, “this bud’s for you”!

Plant well, live happy!