Rosa 'Bonica'

Plant potted roses anytime during summer. Deadhead spent rose blooms on a daily bases, or twice weekly. During the rose's first year, deadhead the flowers as usual, but don't remove any leaves. Late winter or early spring is the time to do the annual major pruning and shaping. (But not for old once-blooming roses, summer prune after flowering only). In summer, water at least once or twice a week with a good soaking (about 5 gallons per plant, per week). More often if the weather is dry and/or hot. Maintain and replenish mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks, or after flower flushes. When caring for rose bushes during fall, you can spray with an antidessicant to seal in moisture and help minimize the damage that comes from "freeze thaw cycles" that will come.