Roses are among the most popular and beautiful flowering shrubs, but planting a rose garden can seem daunting to many people. However, growing rose bushes doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. With the right planting and care, almost anyone can become a successful rose gardener. If you’ve been reluctant to start a rose garden, know that roses are no more difficult to care for than other flowering shrubs. Today, we’re going to give you some practical tips on caring for roses. Learn more about how to properly plant, fertilize and prune roses here.
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Roses – worldwide popular plant
Roses from the Rosa genus in the rose family (Rosaceae) are woody plants that bloom on thorny, spiny stems. There are numerous varieties and species of roses. These plants can grow as hedges, shrubs, individual perennials or climbers. They are sun-loving and need fertile, well-drained soil. Rose bushes are often at their best in June, but many varieties bloom from late May through early fall.
While it may be tempting to plant a wide assortment in your rose garden, you run the risk of getting a disorganized look and combining too many plants for the space you have. A few well-chosen varieties will give you more pleasure than dozens of inappropriate plants that do not harmonize with each other. There are also roses that are suitable for a low-maintenance garden.
Tips for caring for roses – find the right location
Plant roses in a place where they get at least 6 hours of sun per day. Morning sun is especially important because it dries the leaves and prevents disease. Roses that receive only partial sun will not die immediately, but they will gradually weaken, bloom worse, and overwinter poorly. Note, however, that in very hot climates, these plants need to be protected from the hottest hours of the day.
In cooler climates, roses have the best chance of surviving frost if they are placed against a west or south facing wall or structure. Walkways or small front yards are also a good location, provided they have full sun. If you want to plant several roses, make sure they are not too close together. Good air circulation will help prevent fungal diseases such as powdery and downy mildew.
As for watering, be sure to water your roses diligently. Water the entire root zone at least twice a week during dry summer weather. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which doesn’t reach the deeper roots and can encourage fungal growth. Reduce the amount of water in the fall, but don’t let roses dry out completely.
The perfect soil for your roses
Roses need soil that drains well but retains moisture long enough for the roots to absorb it. These plants like loose, loamy soil that tends to be sandy. Too much clay, however, can cause waterlogging at the roots. If you don’t start with a loose, loamy soil, you’ll need to do some amendments. If you are planting roses in heavy clay soil, mixing in compost, peat moss and other organic matter will help with drainage. Once the plants are grown in sandy soil , be sure to add compost , so that the roots of the plant can retain as much moisture as possible.
These shrubs prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. A pH of 6.5 is just right for most gardens. Acidic soils are counteracted with finely ground limestone and alkaline soils are treated with ground sulfur.
How to fertilize roses
Rose bushes need to be fertilized regularly to develop optimally. Artificial liquid fertilizers usually promote soft and tender plant growth that can attract aphids and other pests. Instead, use compost and natural fertilizers to nourish your plants before and during the blooming season. Organic methods such as monthly applications of composted manure, compost or natural fertilizers work well. Slow-release fertilizers give roses the perfect balance of nutrients they need for optimal growth. Keep in mind that slow-release fertilizers have a higher nutrient content than organic fertilizers, so a single application in the spring and another in the fall should be sufficient.
Covering your rose bushes with mulch will help retain moisture and also provide some winter protection.
One of the best rose care tips is to add bananas. Banana peels are a good source of calcium, sulfur, magnesium and phosphates – all things roses like. Here are three ways you can “serve” this fruit to your bushes:
1. place a strip of peel at the base of each shrub.
2. bury a black, squishy banana next to each shrub.
3. crush the peels, let them sit in a sealed jar of water for two weeks, and pour the mixture under each plant.
Rose care tips – prune plants properly.
The beauty of roses is that it’s hard to over-prune them. However, there are some tips and tricks for pruning these plants that will result in a professional looking plant. Pruning also keeps the plants healthy and encourages them to grow. Roses should be pruned in early spring or late winter.
How to:
* Noble and bedding roses: remove all dead, damaged or brown branches, leaf debris and weak, thin growth. Then cut back the remaining branches about 1 inch above an eye (to about 20 inches above the ground). An eye is a small bump where a leaf would grow on a stem.
* Rose bushes: when caring for rose bushes, you do not need to pay attention to the leaf buds. Pruning will depend on your preference. However, it is best to cut back all branched or unhealthy branches and the healthy ones by one-third in height.