Roses are one of the most popular and widely planted of all ornamental plants. There is an absolutely massive variety of types and colours with new ones being offered each and every year. Rose species and cultivars are easy to grow if properly planted and cared for.
Preparing The Plants
Bare Root Roses should be soaked in tepid water for 12-24 hours before planting. Prune away any dead or damaged roots. Potted Roses should be removed from their pot.. If pot bound, the roots can be lightly cut and spread apart to encourage new root development. Ensure the bud union, the thickest part of the stem is above the soil level.
Exposure / Light
Roses require full sun. 6-8 hours of bright direct sunlight should be considered the minimum for these plants. Air circulation is also critical. Give each rose some space to breath. Avoid under-planting or planting other plants too close.
Soil / Moisture
Roses require moist, but well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Neutral to acidic soils are recommended. Bonemeal and / or Liquid transplant fertilizer is also beneficial to help a new plant get started. Water roses immediately after planting. Roses are often grown in raised beds thereby ensuring good drainage.
Roses need to be watered regularly. An inch or two of water each week is typical for average soils and moderate climates. Water more often during the warm season. Avoid overhead watering if possible. Water sitting on leaves can create pest and disease issues. A drip or soaker hose is an excellent solution.
Fertilizing Roses
Roses are heavy feeders and required plenty of food. Use Arts Garden Pro Rose Food as directed before flowering and repeatedly thereafter depending on the fertilizer instructions. Avoid fertilizing after August.
Pruning Roses
The golden rule is to prune your Roses in early spring when the Forsythia are blooming. This is typically February and Early March in the Pacific Northwest. Pruning at this time avoids damage from late frosts. We recommend pruning so that no wood thinner than a pencil is left on the plant. In other words, cut back leaving only the thickest, strongest branches. Remove any twiggy, weak or dead wood, as well as branches that cross, rub or generally grow in the wrong direction. Roses bloom on new wood, not last years canes so pruning hard will not affect your flower count. You can also cut away old blooms during the season to encourage more growth.
Pruning tree roses and climbers is a different process. Call us for more details.
Dealing With Black Spot
Black Spot is common occurence on Rose Bushes. The only real cure is to remove any leaves that are afflicted. Destroy these leaves, do not compost or recycle them. There are fungicides that mitigate the spread of Black Spot, but they do not heal afflicted leaves. Consider these sprays to be a control, rather than a solution.
Winter Care
Roses benefit from winter protection in cool climates. A good application of mulch covering the root system can go a long way to keeping your rose bushes happy and healthy. A spray of dormant oil and lime sulphur in the early spring before growth begins is also a great way to disposes of over wintering pests and insects.
For More Information
For more information about growing roses, visit Arts Nursery or call us at 604.882.1201. We carry a large and diverse selection of roses including floribundas, grandifloras, hybrid teas as well as David Austin, shrub and landscape roses.