Every Garden Needs a Rose

^{Strawberry Hill Climbing English Rose}

But you're too afraid to grow them since the last rose that you planted, well, didn't even reach it's first birthday.

I have good news.

Here are some simple, but effective, tips to help ensure that your roses get off to a good start.

• When to plant Roses

  Bare root roses should be planted when the daytime temperatures are between 40-60 Fahrenheit. Aside from periods of extreme weather, potted roses can be planted at any time. Do not plant when the ground is frozen, water-logged or during a drought.

• Care of your Roses

  Roses are hardier than expected and can be planted in a variety of garden locations. When selecting a site, consider the following recommendations:

  1. Ensure plenty of sunlight

  Roses thrive in direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours is recommended

  2. Avoid competition from other plants

  For best results, plant your rose 3 feet away from other plants and 2 feet from other roses to lessen moisture and sunlight competition and increase air flow.

  3. Avoid very exposed and windy sites

  Strong winds can cause the base of the rose to loosen in the soil, which in extreme cases will kill your plant. 

  4. When to water

  The need for watering varies greatly throughout the year and is directly related to weather conditions and age of rose

  Fall - Winter

  Water as needed if the ground is completely dry until the rose goes dormant (loses all of it's leaves and appears to stop growing).

  Spring

  Watch out for particularly prolonged dry spells.

  Newly planted roses – water every two or three days.

  Established roses – water once or twice a week as needed to keep the soil moist.

  Summer

  Established roses – water as needed to keep the soil moist around your roses. As your rose starts blooming, take note if your flowers are wilting. This will happen in extreme heat but is a reliable sign that your roses need more water.

  Newly planted roses – water every other day.

  5. How to water

  Water as close to the base of the rose as you can. It can be helpful to form a small dish away from the stem to prevent water runoff and encourage water to soak directly into the roots.

  Don’t get water on the flowers or foliage. Watering foliage can encourage disease problems, particularly if leaves remain moist overnight. Overhead watering is one of the main reasons that roses become diseased and/or do not flourish.

  Always use a soft spray hose end to avoid extreme splashing  

  6. When to fertilize

  Early Spring, at the beginning of the growing season.

  After the first bloom cycle has finished to promote stronger repeat blooming.

  Always use organic granular fertilizers and liquid seaweed drenches and apply according to directions.

  7. When to mulch

  Early Spring application of an organic or composted mulch at 2 to 3 inches deep will build soil, repress weeds, and hold moisture especially during the hot summer months

  8. Controlling rose diseases

  The main fungal challenges for roses are rust, black spot and powdery                    mildew.

  An organic non-toxic spray from a local nursery or home improvement                  store is recommended. Follow directions carefully.

  Always follow directions carefully.

• Dead-heading Roses

          Why deadhead?

• To encourage repeat blooms and keep your rose tidy and shapely.

     WHEN TO DEAD HEAD

• This should be done as soon as possible after flowering, up until the Fall.

     HOW TO DEAD HEAD

• Each flowering stem can be cut back as far as three sets of leaves. The amount you cut back determines the shape and size of your plant.

I have had great success growing David Austin Roses over the past several years and my customers are very happy with their reliability and beauty.

Most of the rose care information came from their website and if you'd like to learn more, or check out their lovely offerings, you can click here https://www.davidaustinroses.com/us/.

Hope you're inspired and as excited as me for the Spring because.....

It's time to get growing some Roses!