Rose garden FAQ

How do I grow a rose bush?
After purchasing your rose bush, dig an appropriate sized hole and put the rose bush in. Refill the hole with a mix of soil and compost and/or fertilizer. Water it regularly during the first two months and use rose fertilizer as called for.

Can I make a rose bed?
Of course; rose gardening can easily be applied to a flower bed. Sunlight will be important so they should be planted in an area where they will receive at least six full hours of direct sun each day. You'll want to situate your roses so that the tallest bushes are in the middle and fanning out with the smallest ones on the outside of the rose bed. Planting your rose garden in this fashion will give the best appearance while also making it easier to avoid thorns when caring for your bushes.

Can roses be grown in containers?
Rose bushes can also be grown in containers but the size of the containers is an important factor. Full-size rose bushes will need a container at least 18 inches deep and miniature rose bushes will require a container at least 12 inches deep. The container will also need to be raised to allow for adequate drainage and compost and fertilizer will need to be used to provide the required nutrients.

What are the best types of fertilizer for rose gardening?
Roses require a lot of nutrients and will demand an appropriate fertilizer if it's meant to thrive. Fertilizer should be applied when leaves start to form and again after the first batch of flowers disappears. Special rose fertilizers are made and can be purchased online or in many nurseries. A fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus will make the rose bush more winter-hardy while avoiding any fertilizer with nitrogen before the first frost will encourage growth at the proper time.

What is the best way to protect my rose bushes during the winter?
Caring for your rose bush during the winter varies from climate to climate but there are a few general rules to follow as guidelines. The bud union needs to be protected from cold winds and major changes in freezing and thawing. This is done in rose gardening by mounding up the soil after the first frost to about one foot in height. This will protect the bud union from the extreme cold temperatures of winter. Rose bushes that are in containers can simply be moved inside to an unheated space and watered infrequently to prevent the roots from drying out.

Can rose gardening be done organically?
It can but it is a little more difficult. Typically, rose gardeners will need to be fairly experienced or knowledgeable to avoid using chemical sprays or chemical-based fertilizers. Many different types of roses are resistant to diseases, as well as being very hardy, and these would be the best species for use with organic rose gardening. Bone meal will help the rose bushes thrive and baking soda mixed with water has been shown to help deter the formation of mildew.

What are the most common rose pests?
Aphids can be a nuisance in rose gardening and will often need to be controlled. They are often brown, green, or reddish in color and will feed on the sap of new growth as it is produced and when it is the tenderest. Spraying water on aphids will usually knock them off and they can also be removed with your hands. Ladybugs are also natural predators to aphids and rose bushes often thrive in areas where ladybugs are present.