How to Grow Better Roses

Many people consider roses as high-maintenance plants. True, some roses are very hard to grow, but others can be grown with minimal of care. All roses will need plenty of sun and water, a little fertilizer, and several inches of mulch to grow. Amazingly, you can have spectacular looking roses with a little bit more effort. So, if you want your roses to become the envy of your neighborhood and provide you with a season full of beautiful flowers, here are some general tips on how to care for them.

Choose the Right Roses

There are thousands of species of roses. Many have been carefully bred for different climates and conditions. Take Buck roses, for example, which are named for Dr. Griffith Buck, a former horticulture professor at Iowa State University. Dr. Buck combined species of roses and then planted them outside in a field for the winter. Only the roses that survived the below zero winters and the hot humid summers of Iowa were introduced. As a result, Buck roses tend to winter well and are very disease resistant.

However if you live in the South, you might want a species that is more resistant to black spot. Black spot is a fungus that can be even more problematic for roses in hot, humid climates. Queen Elizabeth, Carefree Wonder, Carefree Sunshine, Nearly Wild, and The Fairy are just a few examples of varieties that are known to be disease resistant, but there are dozens more. Since different strains of diseases can be more found in different areas, it is important to ask around and find a species that will do the best in your area.

If you don't enjoy gardening or don't have that green of thumb, you will want to find a species that is hardier and will require little maintenance. Types vary depending on your climate, so check with your local gardener.

Location

Location should also be considered when choosing a type of rose. Some roses can grow several feet wide, while others will stay much smaller. Climbing roses are good for that are excellent for ground cover or for covering trellises.

Plant them away from trees and large shrubs because their roots will compete with the roses for moisture and nutrients. Make sure your plants have enough space as indicated on the plant label. Most roses need at least two feet of space between them, but some might require even more space. Protect your rose from strong winds, but not to the point where there is poor air circulation. In cramped conditions, roses can develop powdery mildew and other diseases.

Sun

Roses like lots of sun. Although they can survive with only four hours of sunlight, they need at least six hours to thrive and bloom. Morning sun is preferable to afternoon sun. Early morning sun will help the plant dry off and prevent diseases. Consider planting them on the east side of your home or in a location that is shaded from the sun in the afternoon.

Soil

Start with good, loose soil that has been amended by the addition of sand and compost. The soil should have a pH between 6.5 to 6.8. Roses also require a soil that drains well. Any soil that does not drain well can be aided simply by adding peat moss to the soil.

Fertilizer

Roses are big feeders and will thrive on biweekly applications of water-soluble rose food or any kind of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Roses also benefit from periodic applications of organics such as bone meal, blood meal, alfalfa meal, or one of the commercial products that combine those products. This is especially important for roses that continually bloom. Always water your roses well when fertilizing to keep from burning the plant. In the early spring and late fall, you may want to feed it some Epsom salts, which will provide your roses with magnesium sulfate. Do not fertilize your roses during the winter.

Water

As mentioned earlier, roses need to be grown in a well-drained area. However, they also need frequent watering. Roses like the water to pass over their roots, but then drain away from the plant. Plan to provide your roses with at least one to two inches of water each week. It is better to give them one inch of water twice a week than to give them one-half an inch of water four times a week. Roses in pots will require more water than roses in the ground. Water them when the top one-half inch of soil is dry. Again, water deeply to ensure that the roots stay moist. Don't water late in the evening because this can encourage powdery mildew.

Disease

Many of the newer varieties are disease resistant. If yours is not, you will need to provide them with some protection. Black spot, a fungus, is one of the biggest problems. It can be controlled by regularly applying a fungicide during the growing season. Remove any leaves affected by black spot as soon as they appear. If you notice a white powder on the leaves of your roses, they have developed powdery mildew. Spray them with a mixture of two tablespoons horticulture oil in one gallon of water every ten days. It is advisable to rotate the chemicals you use to make sure there is no build-up.

Pests

Aphids, spittlebugs, and rose slugs are three of the most common pests that will attack roses. Aphids and spittlebugs can usually be knocked off the rose with water sprayed from a hose. All three can be killed by using an insecticidal soap that contains pyrethrums. Do not forget to treat the undersides as well as the tops of all the leaves.

Mulch

Mulching provides your roses with protection from heat, dehydration, winter cold, and weeds. Use generously around your roses. Adding at least two to four inches of mulch will reduce soil evaporation and your roses' need for water.

Pruning

Roses should be pruned once they finish blooming. Hybrid tea roses and floribundas should be pruned hard in January, which encourages more flowering and helps prevent disease. Climbers and arching shrub roses should be pruned easier in order to protect their shape. When pruning, it is important to remove any dead or weak wood and thin the plant out to ensure air and sunlight is allowed to reach the entire plant. If your plant has suffered any disease, you may want to complete defoliate it. This will help remove any diseased tissue.