Basics of Planting Roses

Roses are often considered the grandest bloom in the garden’s panoply of flowers. A full-blown rose is a universe of beauty within itself, exquisite, delicate, and so very fragrant. Unfortunately, roses also have a reputation for being temperamental, fragile, and easy to kill. That reputation is unfair! Even beginning gardeners will have wonderful success with growing roses if they adhere to some basic planting techniques. Be sure to also see our guide on Pruning Roses and Flowering Bushes for help in caring for your bushes.

The first step is to till your flower bed to a depth of at least 18 inches, and 24 inches wide. If you use a motorized rotary tiller, and the blades do not reach down that deep, remove eight to twelve inches of soil with a shovel, and then till the soil beneath. If doing the job by hand, dig out the bed to the desired depth, and then back fill it half-way with dirt that has been turned, separated, and loosened. This deep-till method loosens soil to a greater depth, allowing for the rapid growth of rose roots, which is the first step to magnificent blooms. It also opens passages for oxygen and water to get to the roots, which will contribute to radiant, colorful flowers.

On top of the layer of soil that half-fills the trench, add a layer of barnyard manure or rich compost. For developing your own compost, see our Guide “Understanding the Basics of Composting.” Then add soil until the trench is filled.

The next step is to prepare a hole in which to place your rose plant. As with most shrubs and trees, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. As for depth, it should be one inch deeper than the height of the root ball. The purpose is to give the roots rooms to spread out laterally without planting the ball so deep the stalks, or canes, of the rose plants might be put in jeopardy of rotting in wet soil.

Now, remove the rose plant from any container or cloth that surrounds it. Gently loosen the roots, being careful not to pull hard on them. Damaging roots at this stage will stunt growth and blossom production. Soak the root ball in a pail of water for 15-30 minutes to allow it to absorb a healthy drink before entering the ground.

Place the plant in the hole and hold it steady with one hand. With the other hand, backfill the hole gently, using your other hand or a hand trowel. Gently pack soil around the roots. Never compress it by stepping on it. Soak the planted rose bush with water, and then fill in any gaps in the soil created by settling. The best time to plant roses is between October and April when the ground is not frozen. Potted roses purchased from a nursery may be planted into May, but require more watering and oversight to make sure they are thriving and not drying out. Growing beautiful roses is not beyond the reach of any gardener. Careful attention to these basic principles will get your newly planted roses off to a great start!

How to Prune Roses and Flowering Shrubs

Roses are perhaps the most popular kind of flower for gardeners with moderate to master-level skills. For beginning gardeners they can be an intimidating plant to work with. They are rumored to be hard to grow and very temperamental. While that is true with some older, traditional varieties, many of the roses available today are easy to grow and maintain, so don’t be afraid to give them a try.

One of the most essential aspects of maintaining healthy rose plants is to prune them properly. To become proficient at it takes some time, but even beginners will help their bushes grow larger quantity and better quality blooms with pruning. Here’s why:

• Pruning removes dead wood that will never produce blooms, but will soak up nutrients.

• Pruning encourages new, healthy growth.

• Pruning improves the aeration of the plant. Allowing for oxygen reception is a critical part of aiding healthy new growth in your rose plants.

• Pruning will help you shape the rose bush just the way you want it to look.

Just a few tools are needed to get the job done:

• A thick, long pair of gloves – remember, roses have thorns!

• A pair of long-handled loppers for hard to reach blooms.

• A pair of by-pass pruners for blooms close at hand.

To prune your roses and other flowering bushes, learn to employ these simple practices. First, use tools that are sharp, to avoid tearing the plant material. Clean cuts foster the healthiest new growth.

Secondly, open up the center of the plant with the most aggressive pruning. This allows better air flow and sunlight reaching all of the rose’s stems, which will produce a more robust growth pattern throughout the plant.

Thirdly, makes your cuts at a 45 degree angle, and select a spot about ¼ inches above a bud that is facing toward the outside of the plant.

Fourthly, cut the stems at varying lengths, from 12 to 24 inches, to produce a fuller plant, and one in which multiple blooms are not opening at the same height, competing for the life-giving rays of the sun.

The fifth step is to remove all dead or dying material from the plant. If it was healthy material, add it to your compost pile. If any signs of disease or insect infestation were present, bag it and dispose of it, or burn it if that is an acceptable practice in your area.

The last step is to remove all but the hardiest of stalks. Thin, twiggy, weak canes should be removed to keep them from drawing up nutrients that will only result in poor blooms at best. Sucker growth should be removed for the same reason.

The best time to prune your roses and flowering bushes is in the spring, as soon as the first signs of growth begin to appear on the rose bush. Some seasoned gardeners like to have a forsythia bush in their landscape, and use it’s blooming as a signal to start pruning. That practice is centuries old, so has a proven track record. If forsythia is not present, look for the leaf buds to begin to swell. When the bumps on the cane take on a reddish hue and begin to expand, the time is right for some growth-inspiring pruning of your dearly loved roses and flowering bushes!