The basics of rose care are simply:
1. Keep the plants moist at all times, but never allow the roots to sit in water.
2. Feed generously and frequently.
3. Keep pests to a minimum (this is usually not a problem if you start with a strong variety and fertilise and water).
4. Prune back once a year, keep the area weed free and ensure 4-6 hours of sun per day.
When your rose arrives:
1. Submerge the roots in lukewarm water for 12-24 hours. If you can’t plant on arrival, leave the plants in the shade and lightly sprinkle the roots every 2-3 days. Never let the roots dry out.
2. If you can’t plant in the final location immediately, temporarily plant into containers and keep moist.
Spacing Traditional roses can be spaced 75-90cm apart. Climbing roses should be spaced 120-150cm apart.
Climates have an affect on rose planting, e.g. in warmer climates allow more space and in cooler climates, you could plant a little closer together.
- Soil
- Loamy soils are ideal. Roses will grow in heavy top soils (if well drained) and sandy soils (if kept watered and fed more frequently). For roses to thrive, good drainage is critical.
Planting your roses:
Choose a site that has a minimum of 4-6 hours of sun per day and a well drained soil.
1. Dig a hole large enough to easily fit the roots of the plant and deep enough so that the base of the plant will be just above the soil level.
2. Mix some rose food into the soil prior to back filling the hole (follow the packet’s recommended dosage).
3. Trim off any broken roots or stems then hold the plant in place and back fill the hole. Tread the soil reasonably firmly and leave a basin at the base of the plant to help with watering.
4. Soak the soil with at least one or two buckets of water. You can add some seaweed tonic to help the rose settle in.
Climbing Roses:
You can train them onto anything that they can be tied to, for example pergolas, lattice, fencing wire or frames. They won’t need pruning for the first few years (unless it is dead or unwanted growth), as they flower best on two year old canes. On a flat surface such as a wall, the stems should be trained horizontally. On uprights such as a pergola or archway, plant one either side, then train them to spiral up the supports. Use loose twine to train your canes. The main canes should go horizontally while still soft and pliable. The side shoots will flower strongly and can then be easily pruned as required.
Watering Roses are generally very hardy and although they will survive drought, they will not thrive. For best results, keep the soil moist at all times. Ideally, water by slowly soaking the bed quite thoroughly to 10-15cm. Mulch well to help increase water retention.
Fertilising Roses are heavy feeders and require 2 or 3 applications of fertiliser during the season. Apply the first in spring, before the leaves are fully open and then again in December and January, following the packets recommendation of dosage. Do not feed in March because the plants should be hardening off for winter at that time, rather than producing soft new growth which is cold sensitive.
After roses are in full leaf, apply a balanced fertiliser to each plant following the manufacturer’s directions.
Pruning
- Why we prune roses
- The main aim of pruning is to remove the old wood (that will no longer flower well) and encourage the development of young, vigorous and healthy stems.
- When to prune
- June to July whilst the plants are dormant.
How hard should you prune? • Hard pruning: cut stems to only 3 or 4 buds. Hard pruning is recommended for newly planted roses or to rejuvenate neglected roses. It results in larger, but fewer blooms.
• Moderate pruning: Stems are cut back to half their length, recommended for all established roses.
• Light pruning: Stems are cut back to 2/3 their length, so that the main stems are merely tipped. Good method for vigorous varieties. Light pruning generally results in a profusion of flowers.
Step by step pruning 1. Remove all dead, old or diseased stems.
2. Remove any old branches, cut the stem off at the bud union.
3. Cut out thin stems (less than pencil thickness) and branches that cross over each other or are crowding the centre of the plant.
4. Remove any shoots that are growing from behind the bud union (i.e. suckers).
5. Only healthy branches now remain. Prune these to the length required. Make cuts on a 45 degree angle about 1cm above an outward facing bud.
Mulching Roses love mulch. A 5-7 cm layer of mulch stops weeds, evaporation of water and helps keep the roots cool.
