Introduction

Roses are the queen of flowers, but they don’t come without some special care. Follow these steps to get the best out of your roses:

All roses will benefit from a well-prepared soil, best achieved by digging in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure at least two weeks before planting.

To ensure your roses are happy and healthy, there are a few basic things that you can do. Firstly, the soil should be well drained. This means it doesn’t hold too much water and is low in organic matter as this will cause root rot. The pH value of the soil should be neutral (between 5 and 7 on the pH scale). It’s also important to make sure it’s moist but not soggy; roses don’t like wet feet!

The best way to achieve this is by using raised beds filled with good quality compost or manure at least two weeks before planting out your roses.

Plant roses so that the bud union is a couple of centimetres below soil level.

Rose buds are formed on the bud union, which is where the rootstock meets the stem. This is a very important part of the rose, as it will determine how well your plant grows and flowers. If you don’t bury this area just below soil level (it should be visible), then it can rot and die before producing any blooms at all.

If you’re planting a bare-root rose, then spread out the roots and shorten any of the longer ones by half.

If you’re planting a bare-root rose, then spread out the roots and shorten any of the longer ones by half. If you have a containerized rose, then snip off any long branches that are poking up at odd angles, or sticking out of the pot.

In both cases, this will help encourage your new plant to establish a healthy root system and begin growing quickly.

A healthy, mature rose should have at least five stems, of varying ages – one is too old and more than seven may be too young.

A healthy, mature rose should have at least five stems, of varying ages – one is too old and more than seven may be too young. The stems should be of different lengths so you can choose which to prune as they grow. The oldest stem will have long thorns at the base, while the youngest will still have soft prickles on it.

Space grafted roses 50cm apart; rootstock varieties can go as close as 30cm.

Roses are available in a number of different rootstocks and sizes. Grafted roses are more vigorous than rootstock roses, so they need to be spaced by 60-70cm apart in the garden, or at least 30cm apart for small-growing varieties.

Rootstock varieties can go as close as 15cm apart, but most recommend planting them at least 20cm away from each other; if you have a small garden then this may not be a problem! A sunny spot is always recommended for your new additions – they love full sun so make sure they get it!

Rootstock roses are usually shorter growing than grafted types (excepting some climbing roses), so make sure you’ve got room before planting them in permanent positions around your house or garden.

Roses do best on free-draining soil in full sun; mulch around their roots each spring to deter weeds, conserve moisture and keep the roots cool.

Roses need a rich, organic soil in full sun. Mulching around their roots every spring will help deter weeds, conserve moisture and keep the roots cool.

Mulch is also important for container-grown roses, because it helps prevent water from evaporating too quickly and keeps the soil at a consistent temperature.

Prune grafted roses when they are dormant in winter; remove any crossing or damaged branches and shorten stems by a third to an outward-facing bud.

You should prune grafted roses in winter, when the plant is dormant. The best time to prune your roses is just before they start to grow again in spring. To do this, you need to identify some of the main characteristics of a mature rose bush:

• Crossing branches will be growing vertically from horizontal stems. If you have any, trim them back by about 15 centimetres (6 inches).
• Damaged or dead branches must be removed completely and can be burned if possible; otherwise, remove them carefully with secateurs so that you don’t damage other parts of the bush.

Feed with rose fertiliser, apply top dressing and cover with fresh mulch in spring to boost buds for summer flowering.

In spring, feed roses with rose fertiliser. Apply top dressing in the same season. Cover with fresh mulch in spring to boost buds for summer flowering.

Roses need rich organic soil, plenty of sun and regular feeding for flowers throughout summer

Roses need rich organic soil, plenty of sun and regular feeding for flowers throughout summer.

• Soil: A good garden soil with plenty of organic matter will promote good root growth and help to protect from the harshness of winter weather.
• Drainage: Make sure that the soil drains well so that your rose doesn’t sit in waterlogged ground.
• Aeration: There should be a good supply of air around each plant so ensure it is not growing in heavy clay or compacted soils (this can be done by adding in some sandy loam). If you notice your plants struggling through summer then this may be an issue – amend accordingly!
• Fertiliser: Feeding is essential to keep roses healthy and produce an abundance of blooms throughout summer months. It’s best to give them a general fertiliser such as Growmore™ lawn food once a month during spring/summer months – although adding some bone meal or other high nitrogen products into the potting mix at planting time will also help them establish faster after being planted out (you can always add more later if required). If there isn’t any natural compost available then try mixing 1kg vermiculite with 1kg garden lime per cubic metre before adding 400g Growmore™ lawn food per square metre (or similar) – this should provide enough nutrients for most roses until flowering begins again next year!

Conclusion

Roses are high-maintenance plants, but the results are well worth it. You’ll have beautiful flowers all summer long, and that’s a good reason to grow roses in your garden!

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