Growing roses can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many different varieties to choose from, ranging from shrub roses to hybrid tea roses and climbing roses.
Roses grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Adding mulch will help to distribute moisture around your rose plants.
Sunlight
Whether you are growing roses from bare roots or in containers, they require 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. The amount of sun that a rose receives has a direct impact on its health, growth vigor and blooming.
In shaded areas, roses grow tall and spindly and do not bloom as frequently. They are also more likely to suffer from fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew.
The good news is that some varieties do well in partial shade. These include woodland-dwelling roses, such as albas and hybrid musk roses, as well as climbing roses, shrub roses and old-fashioned roses.
If you have to plant a rose in a spot that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, mulch with about an inch of pine straw, leaves or other bark material to help keep soil moist and reduce weeds. Water in the morning or afternoon and don’t allow water to sit on the leaves for too long.
Soil
The soil you plant your roses in is a very important aspect of their success. It needs to be rich in organic matter to encourage healthy roots and growth.
The best soil for growing roses is a loam medium, which contains relatively equal amounts of sand, silt and clay. This type of soil can be amended with organic material such as compost, aged manure, peat moss or kelp meal.
It should have a pH between 6 and 6.5 to promote healthy growth. If the soil is too acidic, add lime.
Water the soil evenly and thoroughly throughout the growing season. The amount of water you use depends on the soil type and the climate in which you live.
Water
Roses need lots of water to thrive. They will wilt, drop leaves, grow smaller, or stop blooming when they don’t receive enough water.
It’s important to water deeply so that it penetrates the roots. This promotes a deep root system that helps the plant survive droughts and winter freezes.
Aside from this, watering should be done regularly to maintain the proper pH of soil. The ideal range for roses is 5.5 to 6.5, though if the soil needs to be raised, ground limestone can help increase the plant’s ability to absorb calcium.
Before planting, dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the rose’s root system. Fill the hole half way with a mixture of garden compost or peat moss (about 1 cup for every 2 inches of soil removed from the planting hole) and Miracle-Gro(r) Garden Soil for Roses or Miracle-Gro(r) Flowering Mix.
Fertilization
Roses need a balanced fertilizer with the right amount of the essential elements (N, P and K) they require for healthy growth. They also need a combination of micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron and manganese.
Fertilize your roses regularly throughout the growing season to maintain a healthy root system and strong flowering. Stop feeding about 6-8 weeks before your average first frost date to prevent new growth from being damaged by a hard freeze.
Apply 4-8 oz (110-230 g) of granular fertilizer in a band around the base of your rose bush in early spring and mid-summer. You can also use a liquid chemical fertilizer.
Pruning
Roses need pruning to maintain their health, vitality and appearance. They need different types of pruning depending on the variety and their growing conditions.
Generally, the best time to prune most roses is late winter or early spring before buds break dormancy and new growth starts to grow. However, it’s important to avoid overpruning as too much will stimulate growth and may damage tender new leaves.
When pruning, use clean and sharp hand or loppers pruners for thin canes and a saw for thicker canes. Cut stems back to an outward-facing bud (pictured above) that will help water drain off the surface, reducing the risk of rot.