Roses are one of the most recognizable flowers among gardeners and non-gardeners alike. There are so many varieties out there in many colors, with a variety of growing habits and wonderful fragrances. Some need more care and attention than others, but all roses add beauty and texture to your garden.
No matter the variety, roses need to be planted in a sunny spot. When planting your roses, it is recommended to add a scoop of mushroom compost to the hole you’ve dug to fertilize the roses. Once established, you can also fertilize using a rose-specific fertilizer like Bayer’s or Bonide’s products.
There are several types of roses. Hybrid tea roses are best for cutting flowers as they have longer stems and are used by florists. Floribundas are shorter plants that have clusters of blooms. There are shrub roses that are kept more like a bush or hedge. These bloom from spring through fall and include varieties like Knock-Out roses. Tree roses are beautiful and often used in pots to frame entryways. Unlike other roses, these need special care to over-winter in our area. Carpet roses are used as groundcover because they are low-growing plants that spread well. Finally, there are climbing roses that are grown on trellises and fences.
When choosing what type of rose you want to plant, you’ll need to consider a few things. The first is where you’ll be planting the rose and the habit you want. This will help you choose which type of rose you want, from the list above. Another thing to consider is how much work you want to dedicate to your plant. Certain varieties need more pruning and care, while the newer shrub varieties like Knock-Outs are much lower maintenance.
When selecting your roses, also consider the disease resistance. Roses often contract fungal diseases like black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. The best way to help your roses fight disease is to keep them healthy and strong. Give them ideal growing conditions and ample moisture and nutrients. Also, be sure to remove any dead foliage from your plants as this can spread disease. Another problem with roses is Japanese Beetles. There’s no real way to prevent these, but they can be sprayed once you see them, or simply picked off the plants and killed with your hands.
Overall, roses need regular watering to keep flower production up. Fertilizing should be done at least twice each growing season. The first should not be applied until you see new growth starting. Then fertilize them midseason to keep them healthy and thriving.
Have rose questions of your own? Stop by our first class, Roses 101, in our Summer School Series this Saturday at 10 a.m. Happy Planting!
