Learning to Grow Roses

Learning to grow roses is not as complicated as it seems. With a few basic considerations and advance planning you will be gardening like a pro. No magic required!

Let's start with a little planning before you buy any plants. Think about where you want to plant the roses; is there a specific place for the rose, or a color that will work best with existing plants? Think about what kind of plant; a climbing rose needs something to climb on. Also remember, roses need a good amount of sunlight and the proper soil conditions.



Additional planning for the garden should include the basic types of roses, how much space they need, and your preferences of color, scent, or size. Remember - not all roses are equally scented.
If you want a climbing rose, there are a couple of varieties to choose from. Your garden will need to have a fence, wall, lattice, or similar structure to climb. A more sedate, structured rose is the climbing rose with its large, single rose feature. The rambling rose does just that, it rambles with roses in small clusters. It will bloom once each year.

The tea rose - the most popular - is the one preferred by most florists. This plant has one flower per long stem. It is lovely, but not very resistant to diseases. For a showier flower, the grandiflora is nice. The grandiflora has large flowers in clusters on a stem. It will grow to about 5 feet, so plan accordingly. The grandiflora, unlike the tea rose, is resistant to most diseases. A rose gardener can extend bloom life by planting varied roses with different growing schedules. For a hardy rose plant which will provide blooms all summer, consider the shrub rose. It is a hardy plant and frequently used for landscaping.

Roses can be planted in pots as well as in beds. The miniature roses are perfect for container growing and can be placed in pots around the patio or even in a smaller yard. This smaller variety grows to about two feet in height.
Now, you've done the planning and have an idea of what to buy. It's time to go out and purchase your roses. There are numerous places to make your purchase; you can buy mail order seeds or plants from catalogues or on the internet. If there is a garden supply shop nearby, go visit them. Their staff can offer expert advice and will know local climate and soil conditions.

Think about these things as you look at what to purchase:

? Confirm the rose's color, either by the tag, or blooms if possible.
? Look at the condition of the leaves - are they green and firm, or dry and wilted? Brown edges mean it hasn't been watered well. Does the plant have black spots or other signs of mildew?
? Look at the plant tag for sunlight and water conditions. Make sure it's a good match for your garden site.
? Think about whether you want a potted rose, or a bare root packaging. They have different planting requirements.

The next step is to prepare your garden for the new plants. The plant needs a hole dug, wider and deeper than the actual plant. A basic rule of thumb is to space plants 2-3 feet apart; check the tag for specifics. Some roses, like the shrub rose, may need more growing space. After digging the hole, mix in manure or a good organic fertilizer with the soil at the base of the hole.

Once the rose has been planted, be sure to water it well. Keep leaves from getting wet as it leads to mildew. Water at the base of the plant and give it a good thick mulching, about two inches. The first couple of weeks are crucial, so watch the plant carefully and water as needed.

You'll want to water newly planted roses every other day to promote root growth. Decrease watering gradually as the rose gets established; roses like a well- drained environment. When planted in containers, they tend to dry out more quickly and need more attention.
Once everything is planted, you're ready to enjoy the fruits of your labors. For a successful, flowering garden give your plants some attention. Schedule feedings during the growing season, water as needed, and deadhead plants after they bloom. And be sure to reward yourself for a job well done.