Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most beloved garden plants, roses (Rosa) embody the quintessence of long, warm, summer days and romantic cottage gardens.
Gracefully climbing bare walls and less appealing fences, roses not only imbue your garden with striking colour but also blanket it with an enchanting fragrance that lingers all summer long. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into everything you need to know about growing roses, from choosing the right type to essential care tips.
Requirements for Growing Roses
Prior to planting a rose, it is important to ensure that you have an appropriate location prepared. Different types and varieties may favour slightly different conditions, however, generally, roses thrive in ample sunlight, shelter from strong winds, and ample spacing to promote air circulation. They also prefer nutrient-rich, well-improved soil or compost if growing in containers [1].
Roses, being avid feeders, require soil replete with organic matter. Consequently, make sure to enrich the soil and use a continuous release fertiliser, which is beneficial for all types of soil. For roses to thrive, a neutral pH is essential; hence, if your soil is highly acidic or alkaline, consider growing roses in containers using a compost formulated for them.
When it comes to gardening tools, the essentials include a garden fork, spade, trowel, and secateurs. Equally important is organic matter like well-rotted farmyard manure or border booster, compost for tree and shrub planting, rose food with continuous release, and a watering can or hose. For climbing roses, you will also require a support framework, e.g., twine, trellis, or wires.
Planting Roses
Planting roses varies depending on whether they are bare-root or container-grown.
Planting Bare-root Roses
Optimal time for planting bare-root roses is between October and early March. Prior to planting, soak the plant in a bucket of water for a minimum of one hour. Subsequently, prepare a large hole deep enough to comfortably accommodate the roots. Add organic matter using your garden fork and carefully place the rose inside, filling the gaps around the roots with soil.
Post planting, secure the soil around the plant and add some granular feed around the base, without touching its stems, for an extra nutrient boost. Following this, water the plant and apply mulch, ensuring it does not mount around the stems.
Planting Container-grown Roses
Container-grown roses can be planted any time of the year, providing the best results when done between September to November and March to May. Similar to bare-root roses, water your plant thoroughly before planting. Once planted, water again generously and add feed after the compost levels have been utilized.
Taking Care of Roses
Once established, roses may not require constant watering if properly mulched during spring and autumn. However, those grown in containers will need regular watering, especially during dry periods.
As roses are heavy feeders, feed them a granular rose food in early spring and again mid-summer. Nutrient deficiencies are unlikely, provided the soil is well prepared and roses are adequately fed. If you notice yellowing leaves, your rose might be suffering from iron and/or manganese deficiencies.
You can find out more about taking care of roses here.
Choosing the Right Variety
Choosing the right rose variety can be challenging, given the wide array of choices. Factors like available space, soil type, desired fragrance, and colour preferences can influence your choice. Prepared with this knowledge, you are now ready to enhance your garden with the radiant beauty and fragrance of roses.
