One of the most instantly recognisable plants – roses are a classic addition to any garden or outdoor space. Bringing an element of elegance, and often fragrance, in various shades of red, pink, orange, yellow & more! From watering, growing and pruning, read on for our complete guide to roses.
When to plant roses?
Bare root roses are best planted from October to April (this is bare root season) as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. This gives the rose plant enough time to establish itself and come slowly into bloom during late spring or summer.
Containerised roses are best planted during the autumn months but can essentially be planted all year round so long as proper care is taken.
When do roses bloom?
As a general rule of thumb, roses tend to bloom from late spring to early autumn. Some bloom only once and others continuously bloom throughout the season.
How to grow roses
There are a few options when it comes to planting and growing your roses depending on how your roses arrive and the type of rose you have.
Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid tea roses are a cross of a hybrid perpetual and tea rose, these roses exhibit a hardiness with a propensity to repeat flower in the right conditions. Available in a huge range of colours and fragrances, these roses are particularly good for flower arranging.
Floribunda Roses
Floribunda roses are one of the best roses for adding vibrancy to your garden, growing continuously throughout summer and autumn. These rose plants are less fussy than hybrid teas although have smaller flowers but in more abundance.
Climbing/Rambling Roses
Climbing roses are perfect for gardens with a small amount of space, growing vertically up walls, trellises or over arches. Often producing a single burst of stunning colour in the summer but can be more susceptible to mildew than other types of rose.
Where to Plant Roses
Some roses will have different requirements, however, for the most part it is important to ensure the location you end up planting your roses in gets plenty of sunlight and in a spot without too much competition from other plants. As a guide, most roses need an average of 6-8 hours of sunlight.
It’s also a good idea to ensure your rose plants are in an area that is unaffected by easily waterlogged soil and harsh winds as the blooms can be delicate.
Growing Roses in Pots
It is possible to grow roses in pots or containers, however it is important to select a large enough, sturdy pot fit for the purpose as roses can be vigorous growers. Patio & miniature rose cultivars are often best for being grown and kept in containers.
Generally, roses will be happy being grown in most soil, but the best is often a loam based compost. Manure is also said to be beneficial for rose plants.
How to Look After Roses
Caring for roses is a lot easier than most think, so as long as you have planted them in a good spot, you’ll have stunning blooms returning year after year.
Watering
The best practice for watering your roses is to give about 2-4 gallons of water once per week, preferably in the morning. Each type of rose will have different watering requirements and may need to be watered more than once a week in warmer weather. Keep an eye out for any wilting and tell-tale signs of the plant drying out.
Feeding
Most roses will benefit from a regular feeding with fertiliser during their growing season, this is usually every 2 to 4 weeks. This will ensure successful and healthy blooms.
It’s also beneficial to mulch your roses (with mulch such as Strulch) as this can aid with reducing weeds, minimising the amount of water you need for them and insulating them during the colder months.
Deadheading
Deadheading roses can be useful to direct energy into new rosebud growth as opposed to wasting energy on producing rosehip after a bloom has finished flowering. The best way to do this is to cut (using secateurs or a similar tool) or pinch off where the base of the flower joins the main stem. Ensure you protect your hands with gloves to avoid injury from sharp thorns.
Overwintering/Pruning
Roses are a hardy plant and will go into hibernation once winter comes around. There are a few things you can do to help maximise their growth and health come the growing season.
A few weeks before the first frosts of winter hit, it’s best to stop fertilising and deadheading your roses to give them the best chance of survival. You can, however, prune your rose plant in January and February by cutting off any dead/dying or diseased stems while you shape the plant as you go.
When to Lift Roses
Roses don’t need to be lifted as such, but if you are intending on moving a rose plant, whether containerised or not, it’s best to wait until winter when the rose is hibernating. This means that the plant will be less stressed due to being dormant.