Essential Tools for Rose Gardeners

Rose gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can be challenging since roses require specialized care. In addition to basic garden tools, such as a shovel and water hose, rose gardeners need an arsenal of specialty tools.

Try these tools to simplify gardening chores and grow beautiful flowers.

Watering Wand

Roses can develop diseases if the foliage remains wet. The long handle of a watering wand makes it easy to direct water to the base of the plant without touching any prickly stems. It is also useful for reaching into garden beds and showering hanging plants. The Dramm Rain Wand comes in a variety of colors and features a lifetime guarantee.

Gloves

Shaping, maintaining and clipping roses requires a good pair of gloves. Although leather work gloves offer some protection from thorns, blisters and calluses, they leave the forearms unprotected. Upgrade the protection level with an affordable pair of arm protectors, such as the Little's Good Gloves arm protectors.

Gauntlet gloves offer an all-in-one solution to protect the hands and lower arms.

Watering Can

A watering can is an attractive and useful addition to the garden. Use one to mix a batch of liquid fertilizer for regular feedings. It can double as a vase for the patio table or simple decoration nestled in the garden.

The OXO Good Grips Outdoor Pour & Store holds 2.1 gallons of water and features measurements along the side.

Kneeler

Durable kneeling pads provide a soft cushion to protect knees during gardening chores. The thick, portable pads are inexpensive and widely available at discount and hardware stores. Some models, such as the Step2 Garden Kneeler & Seat, double as seats and feature long handles on the kneeling board.

Bypass Pruner

Hand pruners are essential for shaping unruly rose canes and clipping fresh flowers. The blades of bypass pruners close like scissors and cut through live plants without causing damage.

Affordable bypass pruners, such as Fiskars basic pruners, cost less than $15 and work well for small areas. Some models also include a stem stripper to remove thorns. If tending a large garden, consider buying more expensive ergonomic hand pruners to prevent fatigue.

Hand Loppers

A pair of hand loppers is essentially a long-handled pruner that cuts through stronger or larger plants with little effort. Try bypass loppers on older plants with thick, woody canes. Consider the intended uses when deciding how much to pay for hand loppers. Felco loppers come in a variety of sizes that will work for many different garden chores.

Spray Bottles

Homemade brews and remedies can keep roses free of disease and pests. Keep a couple of spray bottles handy to apply solutions as necessary. Shop for spray bottles with comfortable handles and measurements printed along the sides, such as Zep sprayers.