Roses – Care and Garden Planning
Spring Preparation for current Rose Bushes:
Clean around the base of rose shrubs. Remove fallen leaves and old mulch that may be harboring overwintered pests, then apply a 1-inch layer of compost followed by 1-2 inches of fresh mulch.
Choosing to add new Rose Bushes:
When choosing roses, consider where they’ll be planted, the look you want to achieve and those adapted to your growing region. By choosing naturally vigorous roses that will grow well in your area, you’ll dramatically decrease the amount of care they require. Most varieties are hardy in Zones 4–9; however, check the plant tag.
Types of Roses:
Hybrid Tea: These tall long-stemmed roses are ideal for cutting. They’re usually the kind you send from the florist. In the garden they’re often featured as single specimens.
They are typically repeat bloomers throughout the growing season. When planting in the South, place the bud union (visible knob at the base of the plant) 1–2 inches above soil level. In the North, bury the bud union 1–2 inches below ground. Depending on conditions, plants can grow between 3–6 feet tall and are available in almost every color imaginable. Be careful though as they can be difficult to grow in the home garden due to a lack of disease resistance and susceptibility to cold temperatures.
Floribundas: Developed during the last century, these are shorter and bloom more freely, setting clusters of blossoms rather than a single bloom on a stem. They’re versatile and will be equally pleasing as a border or mass planting.
The large shapely blooms and hybrid-tea-like growth habit make these roses unique. They are available in a range of colors. As growth begins, feed with a rose fertilizer. For vigorous healthy growth, prune 3–4 buds from the base.
Landscape Rose: Available in many sizes and shapes, these roses work well as a ground cover because they tend to spread. They can be treated like a hedge and bloom from spring through fall. They should be spaced 18 inches apart in cool climates and 24–36 inches apart in warmer zones.
These varieties have changed the way many people view roses. Landscape roses, especially when compared with traditional types, are impressive for many reasons: they are naturally resistant to disease; grow well in a variety of climates with minimum attention; require very little pruning thanks to their compact growth habit; and their flowers are beautiful and long lasting.
Climbing Roses: Climbing roses can form dramatic cascades over an arched trellis or trained over a fence, pillar or post. They’re sometimes used to create a privacy wall.
As a rule, climbers should be lightly pruned. The best blooms are produced by 1-year-old growths and should be cut out after flowers have finished blooming in order to encourage fresh growth.
Miniature: These grow 12–24 inches high, bloom all season long and are well suited to growing in containers in small spaces. They’re hardy but require outdoor growing conditions, including sun and an annual period of cold dormancy, to truly flourish.
Rose Trivia – What are Rose Hips?
Rose hips are occasionally made into jam, jelly, and marmalade, or are brewed for tea, primarily for their high Vitamin C content. They are also pressed and filtered to make rose hip syrup. Rose hips are also used to produce Rose hip seed oil, which is used in skin products and some makeup products.
