Roses require a good amount of attention in the garden, whether it be from the gardener or from rose-loving admirers. In order to plant roses, a lot of care and planning should be taken into consideration to allow the roses the best chance of taking to their new environment. Here’s a guide on when to plant roses, where to put them and proper rose planting techniques.
Where to Plant Roses
Roses require a minimum of four hours of direct sun, and more if possible. Do not intend on planting your roses in a shaded area, they will suffer and die. Sunshine is vital to healthy, gorgeous looking roses.
Soil is also important. Ideal soil should be moist, however not too moist nor too dry. You can perform your own soil tests at home in order to determine whether or not to add compost to help add some moisture and nutrients to dry soil, or to mix in a small portion of sand to help relieve some of the excess moisture.
Roses are a picky plant when it comes to their growing conditions. Be sure to give your rose the best in order to maximize the overall health and wellness of the plant.
When to Plant Roses
The time to you choose to plant your roses is important but can vary from region to region. If you’re unsure of when to plant your roses, most professional landscapers and gardeners will tell you that mid-spring is an ideal time to plant roses. Growing roses takes time, patience and lots of effort so you should give them a season to firmly plant their roots in the soil. Planting them later in the season may not allow the sufficient time to settle and they could wither and die once colder fall weather hits.
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, plant your roses between January and April. If you reside in the Southwest or along the Pacific coast, plant your roses between December and January. South Central regions should plant their roses between December and February while North Central residents should plant from April to June. Lastly, if you live in the Northeast or along the Eastern coast, plant your roses between March and June.
How to Plant Roses
If you are planting a bare-root rose plant, you will need to soak the roots in a bucket of water for prior to planting. Container roses should be watered throughly before planting.
While your roses are soaking up water, dig a hole in your sunny area that is at least six inches deeper than you intend on planting your roses. I recommend adding some nutrients that are specialized for roses, or adding compost to the bottom six inches of the hole. This will help feed the plant during the first year and give it the best chance of surviving the transplant.
Growing roses may be difficult, but physically planting the rose itself is simple. Roses should be placed into the soil with care, just as you would with other plants.
Roses can be a beautiful addition to any garden but be sure to give them their recommended space (which can vary from plant to plant,) so be sure to check for your specific species of rose. Properly planting the rose can reduce the amount of fuss often associated with growing roses.
Sources:
Personal Experience (with container roses.)
The Helpful Gardener
