Rose Care

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Take Care of Roses

The care of roses and the secret to sucess with growing roses for beginners is the same as that for the experienced rose growers. To sucessfully take care of roses means getting the basics right first time around. As with most things involved with growing roses a little pre-planning goes a long way and yet can yield remarkable results.

I will again try to sort what is involved in caring for the different rose types in some kind of logical order from choosing and preparing the site for growing roses all the way through to outlining the different little tasks that need to be performed every year.

1.Choosing and preparing a site for growing roses.

Choose a site that will have a good flow of air but is yet not exposed to gusting winds close up. Roses prefer a sunny site and need a lot of sunlight to perform really well. Watering roses is not a massive issue after the first year as they are deep rooted and quite drought tolerant. Below are some ideas as to where you can plant the different rose types.

Miniatures roses-tubs and window boxes as well as ground cover.
Shrub roses- Used in borders and several types of shrub roses are very suitable for use as hedges e.g. Rugosas and some of the Gallica rose types.
Climbers and Ramblers can be grown up walls, trees,pergolas,screens and arches. Ramblers are best avoided for growing on walls as the reduced air circulation sees them suffering from mildew.
Hybrid teas and in particular the Floribunda rose type are ideal for beds. They are far more effective when planted as a large grouping of the one color rather than a mix of colors. The Floribunda and Hybrid Tea rose type are also suitable for use in borders.

Rose care-Buying roses

Choose a rose bush that has a nice uniform shape and that has 3 or 4 good stems. Try to avoid roses that have been “pot bound” i.e. in the pot for several years. very often you can tell by the roots growing out through the bottom of the pot and by moss like growth around the base of the plant. it’s not the end of the world but if you can avoid it then do. Regarding price bare-root roses are usually the cheapest and can be planted anytime from November to March. Usually bought through mail order make sure that you buy these types of roses from a reputable supplier so as to be sure of what you are getting.

2. The care of roses-Improving the soil

Roses,irrespective of the different rose types, prefer good drainage. They will do fine on most soils but if you want to get the very best out them you should do the following;

Dig the soil upto a size of at least twice the size of the roots, double dig if you have the energy.

Mix in plenty of good rich compost and a good rose fertilizer. Your roses are going to be living there for a long time so take care of roses and make it as comfortable as you can. The ideal situation would be all that I have mentioned so far plus growing roses in groung that has never previously grown roses. The addition of organic matter is even more important if you are growing roses in chalky soil.

Another article on which type of roses best suits your needs

How to plant your roses

General rose bush care and maintenance.

How to take care of roses regarding pests and disease.

Growing rose cuttings

Rose care calender

Rose growing zones

Essential rose care tools