Roses. It seems gardeners either love them or hate them. There is often no in between. The people who hate them have typically tried to grow them, but have become frustrated because they didn’t perform up to their expectations. Ensuring roses live up to expectations involves choosing wisely what rose to plant and knowing how and when to care for the roses that have been planted. In recognition of June being National Rose Month, this column delves into the different categories of roses, suggested plant installation techniques and best practices when it comes to rose care.
We are all familiar with the old adage “Starting off on the right foot.” It implies that a strong beginning will more likely lead to a favorable outcome. Choosing a rose it is bit like that saying. You want to make sure that you choose one that has the best chance of success in your yard. Make sure to choose a rose that is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 5b. Each rose will have a hardiness zone range associated with it. Roses that are labeled ‘Hardiness Zone 6-11’, for example, will most likely not survive the winter when planted in Northern Illinois. Roses that are labeled ‘Hardiness Zone 5-8’ may survive most winters, but certainly not all. Roses that are labeled “Hardiness Zone 3-8,” when planted in May, should still be alive the following May. This is also true for all types of flowers, shrubs and trees.
Be sure to carefully consider the mature height and width, growth habit, care requirements, flower color and fragrance when choosing roses for your yard. Disease and insect resistance are two important characteristics as well.
There are numerous types of roses. With each type comes different advantages and in some cases disadvantages. Shrub roses are becoming more and more popular due to several desirable qualities. Shrub roses are usually disease resistant and continue to bloom throughout the summer. Examples of shrub roses include those in the following rose families: Drift, Easy Elegance, Flowercarpet, and Knockout.
Species roses are those roses that are native to this area. They usually bloom in June and can reach heights of 4’ or larger. Most native roses have pink flowers. Hansa Rose, Purple Pavement Rose, Carolina Rose and Prairie Rose are examples of species roses. The Illinois Rose is grown in savannahs and woodlands all across our state.
Old Garden Roses are those varieties that were developed prior to the mid 1800s. These heirloom varieties are characteristically incredibly fragrant. Damask Rose, White York and Gallica are examples of Old Garden Roses that have been grown for centuries.
Climbing Roses have canes regularly grow between 6-15’ tall. They usually bloom profusely in the early summer and then sporadically throughout the rest of the summer and early fall. Climbing roses require a sturdy structure on which to grow. Clarence House, May Queen and Dublin Bay are specific climbing rose cultivars.
Hybrid tea, floribunda, and grandiflora roses are all part of the category of Modern Roses. Their flowers have the typical look of a florist rose, can be very fragrant and make excellent cut flowers. The branching structure of a modern rose is usually grafted to the root structure of a different type of rose. Unfortunately, these types of roses are not always winter hardy and can be susceptible to diseases. Queen Elizabeth, Dick Clark and Peace are examples of Modern Roses.
The cultural requirements of roses are an important consideration. Roses require lots of sunlight-6 hours or more each day. They also do best in soil that drains well.
When planting roses be sure to dig the hole as deep as the root system that is currently in the container. Make the hole a few inches wider than the existing root system. Peat moss and mushroom compost, when incorporated into the soil at the time of planting, will add necessary nutrients.
Providing roses room to reach their mature height and width insures good air circulation around each plant. This air circulation will reduce the possibility for fungal diseases.
Deep, thorough watering is best as this promotes the development of a strong root system. Watering should be done thoroughly, but less frequently. When possible, be sure to apply the water at ground level. Remember to water the roots of the plant, not the leaves. Excess water on the leaves can promote disease growth.
Most roses, when purchased, have a slow-release fertilizer that has been mixed into the soil that is already in the container. Fertilizing the first year is usually not necessary. When needed, fertilizing should be done in the spring and summer. A combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers can be used. An inorganic 10-10-10 granular fertilizer is appropriate and can be combined with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion or bone meal. As with most shrubs, roses should not be fertilized in the fall.
As roses can be susceptible to insects such as aphids and diseases such as black spot, a combination insecticide and fungicide may be used proactively or reactively. BioAdvanced Rose and Flower Care and Bonide RoseRX Systemic Drench are two very effective products.
Spreading mulch near roses will help to retain soil moisture, minimize weeds and regulate soil temperature. A bit of extra mulch in the late fall will also help to insulate the plants during the winter. Make sure to rake away any excess mulch by late March.
Roses should be pruned when necessary. Any bare or dead branches may be removed in late spring. Deadheading, the act of removing spent blooms, can be done throughout the growing season. When deadheading, cut back the stem until the first set of five leaves.
Growing roses successfully is a very rewarding gardening task. It is estimated that they have been cultivated for over 5000 years. They are gaining in popularity again because rose breeders have recognized that gardeners want roses that are lower maintenance and yet offer an abundance of blooms. Shrub, also called landscape, roses, offers traits that fit into our busy lifestyle and are relatively easy to grow.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc.,a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
