Growing Roses for the Novice Gardener

Roses can be easy to grow, as well as provide a good amount of colorful coverage in gardens and patios. This time of year roses can be found in abundance at garden centers in both container and some bare-root varieties. Even though it is almost the end of rose bare-root season, there are still plenty of deals to found. This time of year garden centers discount rose bare-roots to rid their shelves until next year. Other garden centers, pot the bare-roots in disposable containers and sell them potted for a little bit more money.

Bare-root roses are as easy to plant as potted roses are to transplant. It only takes a couple of extra steps. First though, it is important to pick out the right type of rose before planting. Not all roses are the same. It wouldn't do any good to purchase a climbing rose if there is not place for the rose limbs to catch onto as they climbs. There is also a difference between a tea rose and a grandiflora rose. Having a good idea of what each rose is all about before purchasing them is important.

For the most part big chain garden centers like Lowes, Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware sell all three types of roses. They sell fairly good quality rose that is generally fast growing in any soil and offers a small variety in colors. There are literally hundreds of types of roses, but to keep this simple for the causal gardener going with the standard types of roses sold at the big chain stores should do.

The most common rose found is usually the "tea rose" or the "hybrid tea rose". The hybrid tea rose is considered the most popular rose in the world. It is recognizable by the fact that it usually only grows one rose per long stem. It comes in a wide variety of colors and is generally the one that is left over at the end of bare-root season. There are some pitfalls with this particular rose. One is that many times the blossoms don't have a fragrance, although there are some varieties that do. They are also sometimes hard to grow, as they are very susceptible to disease.

The second most popular variety is the grandifloras. Grandifloras also come in a variety of colors. They are fast growing, tall-stemmed roses that are very hearty. They can grow five feet tall or higher and two to four feet wide. They produce large flowers and generally can produce several flowers in each stem, often clustering together.

Another popular rose found at the larger chains are climbing roses. There are really two different types of climbing roses. Those are climbers and ramblers. The only problem is that sometimes it is hard to know which of those you might find at the chain stores. Generally the two are very much the same, except that the ramblers might grow out forward instead of just straight up. For the most part these roses are just how they sound as they grow they climb. Most botanists don't consider climbing roses the same as vines. Some can climbing roses can grow up to 30 feet tall, but to keep the vines healthy that is not always recommended and varies depending on climate and soil conditions.

Aside from these variations of roses available at the chain stores, there are generally two different types of quality roses available. These are usually recognizable by the difference in price between the grades of roses. This is not to say that the inexpensive roses will grow any better then the more expensive roses. Usually the main different at the larger chains is the variety of colors of the roses. The three varieties of roses usually come in a stock of four to six colors. They range from red, white, yellow and pink. Several of the less expensive varieties might also have a couple of mixed colored roses like white rose with red tips or yellow roses with a blush color inside.

Some of the higher priced roses or what the store call patented rose might come in yellow roses with red tips or the popular blue girl rose, which is generally blue, or a light violet color. Generally they are also either floras, teas or climbers.

Once the right type of rose is decided on finding the proper area where to place the rose is important. The climbers, of course need to be planted either along a wall area such as a fence or the side of the house. They also can be placed to wrap around an arbor or gazebo area. All of the rose need to be planted where they can have plenty of sun time. Roses generally need at least six to eight hours of sun a day to grow well. They also need well-drained soil.

One of the nice things about roses is that they can grow in pots and planters and can be placed on patios that have enough light exposed to them. As long as there is enough room in the pot of the root to grow any kind of pot is fine as long as it has a nice size hole in the bottom so that the water can drain well. Terra cotta pots are good because not only can the pots drain from the bottom, but also moisture bleeds through the clay, as well. Most botanists recommend not using metal pots however because they do rust and can cause problems with the chemical balance in the soil.

Another tip when potting roses is to never plant anything in the pot with the roses. Many times gardeners are tempted to plant ivy or alyssum along the edges of the planters to give the plants more color. The problem is that roses generally tend to have shallow roots and the other plants interfere with the root base that grow also the tops of the planters.

Once the location is found, planting is simple. For bare-roots it is a good idea to soak the plants for 12 hours to overnight before planting them in the soil to soften and moisten the roots. For those with pests like gophers and ground squires and are planning to plant the roses in the ground, it might be a good idea to cage around the roots before planting them. Using chicken wire build a doom or cone shape with the chicken wire and plant that into the ground first leaving the center free of dirt. Make sure that the top of the chicken wire stays about an inch or so below the ground. Then place the rose plant inside the cone and add dirt. There are several companies that have pre-made root cages for sale, as well.

Eventually the wire will rust and break, but the hope is that before that happens the roots will be so firmly implanted into the ground that even if the gophers or squirrels take any little nibbles they won't harm the roses. This may not always be the case however if gophers are a serious and continual problems. One solution might be to plant the roses in containers and placing them decoratively where you want them.

Once the roses are ready to plant simple dig a hole big enough for the roots to fit comfortably in the ground. If working with bare-roots make sure to have the ball of the root completely immersed with soil and then cover with dirt.

Remember that although most garden centers try to cut off all the thorns on the bare-roots and some of the roses, it isn't always a given that they won't have any sharp parts sticking out. Make sure to wear heavy gloves when planting. For larger, potted varieties, it might be a good idea to have a partner help with the planting.

Roses need room to breath, so avoid crowding them together. Many times it is hard to tell what the smaller plants are going to look like all grown and gardeners want to have a full garden and decide to plant in clusters. Keep roses at least two or three feet apart, maybe more depending on the variety.

As with all planting, follow all the same rules about fertilizer and mulches when gardening. Soils vary even from one city to the next. A garden center might be in one city and recommend what to do with clay soils not realizing the customer lives in the next city over where the soil is very sandy. Know your soil and always do a little research about what kinds of implements will have to be added to the soil to make roses grow.

Many garden centers have special soils, which say they are specially designed for roses. Those who wish to spend the extra money on those products can, although sometimes just adding a little cow, chicken or steer manure and mulch will do the trick.

Now set up a water system or even go out and water regularly and watch your roses grow. Depending on the variety and the climate, roses can bloom throughout the spring and summer and in some climates clear into the early winter months.