A beautiful rose garden is the dream of many homeowners. The gorgeous, robust flowers against a luscious green bush is certainly a dreamy image. However, roses are one of the most fickle varieties to grow. They are delicate and need a good amount of attention from you to be able to grow healthy. Thankfully, proper preparation and planning will help you to realize this dream. For the best landscapers tips on growing roses, read on below.
Look for the Perfect Spot
Roses thrive in certain conditions. They need full sun exposure, at least 6 hours of direct sun every day. The best sunlight for roses are unfiltered, early morning sun. Aside from positioning, the composition and characteristic of your soil are also important. You need soil with good draining properties and rich in organic matter or soil enhanced by compost. Your soil bed must also be deep and loose, at least 24 inches wide and 18 inches deep per rose plant. Roses also prefer a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Do a pH test on your soil. Add limestone to neutralize acidic soil, and treat the soil with ground sulfur if it is too alkaline or sweet.
Pick the Right Rose Variety
As with all other flower plants, roses come in several varieties. Choosing the right one that matches your garden environment could be the key to a vivid and lively rose bushes. Garden environment means the typical climate of your area. There are three major types of rose bushes: heirloom roses, modern hybrid roses, and wild roses. If you live in colder climates, choose the extra-hardy shrubs such as the modern hybrid roses variety. Typically, rose bushes grow much larger in hot and humid weather.
Watering Technique
After getting the sunlight, soil, and variety right, now it is the time to water your rose bushes. Roses need an inch of water each week divided into a couple of sessions. Soak the roots at least twice a week, especially in dry, hot climate. If you only water the leaves, the water won’t reach the roots and even may promote fungus growth.
Use a soaker hose instead of sprinklers. Sprinklers not only consume more water but they also spray the water into the air, which most likely will only wet the leaves and not the roots. Moreover, the hot sun can cause some of the water to evaporate before reaching the ground.
Use Mulch
Mulch is a type of organic material spread or laid over the soil surface. It can be chopped or shredded leaves, rotted manure, grass clippings, or bark. Mulching can help you conserve water and maintain your roses’ health. It helps the soil stay cool and moist, as well as prevent weed growth. Due to their organic nature, mulch will naturally break down in the end and act as nutrition to boost your soil quality. Spread a layer of mulch around the base of your roses with 2-4 inches thickness. Give an inch or two of space between the mulch and rose stems.
Pruning
Rose pruning typically is done every spring. There is a technique called deadheading, which is cutting flowers after they fade. Don’t hesitate to do this method as it allows your rose plants to focus their energy to blooming instead of seeding. It will also make your bushes look better and more well-rounded. Use sharp pruning shears to minimize trauma to the stems and let it heal faster. To protect your body, use thick, elbow-length gloves and safety goggles.
Roses can be the most beautiful addition to your garden if maintained correctly. To figure out the best placement and variety of rose for your garden, consult with a trusted landscaping company.
Sources
Roses, Almanac.com
Basic Rose Care, BHG.com
