Rose Garden

[LadyHawk108]

I am starting a rose garden because I love roses, not because I have ever been successful with them. If you have any suggestions on the best way to keep them, please let me know. I know they need sun, and have planted them accordingly. Is there anything special I should know or look out for?

[maxparrish]

I live in perfect Rose country, but I'm sure Texas is pretty good too. I don't have any problem, but I'd suggest a few things.

1) Give em room, 36" between plantings.
2) Lots of water the first year, it will pay off in year 2.
3) Prune off flowers during the growing season, at the second set of 5 leaf buds below the bloom. If you don't, you get rose hips that drain the plant, and reduce flowering.
4) Prune back in the late fall, depending on your winter climate. The colder it is, the further back one prunes - here (it never freezes) I only prune to 3 feet.
5) Read about bugs and fungus in your area - powdery mildew, rust, etc. Apply recommended sprays,oils in spring before much growth.
6) Careful about planting near a wall, summer heat in Texas can reflect off a wall and scortch a plant (I've seen them fry in Oklahoma).
7) It won't hurt to have some afternoon shade...(may help in superhot climates), roses only need 6 hrs of light a day.
8) Use a good, organic, slow release fertilizer early in the Spring.

That's about it. I like to add a lot of soil amendment in the initial planting BUT some people say its better to just use native soil. It works either way.

And pick out your favorites...roses are hardy, but some like more light, some dislike humidity, etc.

PS The one thing I have noticed, in Oklahoma, that you'all have a lot of mean insects and fungus. Thrips, for example, killed a rose bush (it looked like it didn't have enought water). I think that bu/fungus is the number 1 problem in your part of the country...make sure you know and apply preventatives.

[LadyHawk108]

Max, thanks for the great advice! I read in some other literature to cut the dead blooms 1/4" above the first outfacing thorn under the dead bloom, have you ever heard of that? Also, in your method, do you cut right above or below the second set of 5 leaf buds below? I know we planted the first ones too close, but did better after that. They are blooming like crazy already but not a high quality bloom. I'm sure next year will be much different! I like the florabundas and grandafloras best, but the tea roses have the most uniques colors it seems. Do you have any recommendations for large bloom roses that are unique?

[Melz]

I planted my first Rosebush on Mother's Day. This is my first spring with a house of my own and a yard to do with what I wish! I love roses but have heard many stories about failed rosebushes. I figured them to be high maintenance and from what Max posted, they seem to come with a lot of rules. I don't have a lot of sunlight in my actual flowerbed, and the plants which say "shade" are not perking up in said shade. The perky ones are in the sun! Luckily my rosebush is in a place which is almost completely sun, except in evenings. Oh and I was also told (after I planted the rosebush) to plant the roots in sand because Ohio clay will drown the plant's roots in rain. Good thing that this has been the most rainless spring I can remember, as I got that info too late. I will pray for it to grow a rose or two. Was told that my blooms may be late due to it being a new plant without the roots grabbing hold earlier.

I will continue reading the great advice from those who know what they are doing :)

[maxparrish]

Max, thanks for the great advice! I read in some other literature to cut the dead blooms 1/4" above the first outfacing thorn under the dead bloom, have you ever heard of that? Also, in your method, do you cut right above or below the second set of 5 leaf buds below? I know we planted the first ones too close, but did better after that. They are blooming like crazy already but not a high quality bloom. I'm sure next year will be much different! I like the florabundas and grandafloras best, but the tea roses have the most uniques colors it seems. Do you have any recommendations for large bloom roses that are unique?

Yes, you cut 1/4" above the second (hopefully outfacing) growth bud (not thorn)...that small bump that will shoot out another branch and eventually flower. Some recommend you seal the cut with elmer's white glue. As we don't have problems in California with borers, I don't bother.

My experience is with tea and english roses. One rose I really like is "Taboo" (Jackson and Perkins). It is a tea rose that can grow to six or more feet (at least out here). Its bloom is a very dark red, very rich and silky. However, I like any David Austen English roses because they remind me of old roses (and were bred to look and smell that way)...many times more petals than modern teas, delicate blooms, and very fragrent. What makes them unusual is that unlike old roses, they have been bred to bloom throughout the growing season (just like hybrid teas).

There was an article in Sunset Mag several years ago by two florists/groweres. They gave the best 50 (5 in each catagory)...if I can find it I'll pass along there recommendations for florabundas and grandfloras.

Keep us posted.

[sunsettommy]

Max, thanks for the great advice! I read in some other literature to cut the dead blooms 1/4" above the first outfacing thorn under the dead bloom, have you ever heard of that? Also, in your method, do you cut right above or below the second set of 5 leaf buds below? I know we planted the first ones too close, but did better after that. They are blooming like crazy already but not a high quality bloom. I'm sure next year will be much different! I like the florabundas and grandafloras best, but the tea roses have the most uniques colors it seems. Do you have any recommendations for large bloom roses that are unique?

I never bother with the 1/4" rule for pruning dead blooms.I just cut out ONLY the dead flower by its stems.

As for cutting to a set of (Usually FIRST set of 5 leaves)5 leaves,that depends on what type of Rose it is.If it is HYBRID Tea yes it is the usual way,unless the stem is too thin or very elongated,then go to second set of 5 leaf.Cut about 1/4" ABOVE the outward facing bud.

Floribundas needs periodic pruning to prevent thin upper branches from being overloaded with flowers on thin branching.I like to cut back previously bloomed stems back to a strong bud,one that is facing outward.Then a stronger stem can support the coming heavy bloom load.

If you do live in HOT Sunny place,it is better to get Roses with HIGHER petal counts,they last longer in the heat.

Roses LOOOOVE SULPHUR and lots of it too.I suggest you call around and ask for ELEMENTAL Sulphur,usually 90% 0r 94%.You will be amazed at the Increased size and Color of the blooms and the shrubs get taller and more robust.

I have cared for large Rose Gardens (200 + Plants)and also have rehabilitated them too.

[sunsettommy]

I am starting a rose garden because I love roses, not because I have ever been successful with them. If you have any suggestions on the best way to keep them, please let me know. I know they need sun, and have planted them accordingly. Is there anything special I should know or look out for?

I suggest that you buy a Rose care book that is ENDORSED by the American Rose Society.It the book they have a good listing of Rose Varieties and their Ratings.

Hybrid Teas,Grandiflora,Floribunda,Miniature and Shrub Roses are listed and their RATED quality.There are also descriptions for those that are FRAGRANT.

It is a good idea to chose the HIGHER rated Roses first as they are usually better for beginners to care for.

[LadyHawk108]

Thanks for all the great advice!!!

[maxparrish]

I never bother with the 1/4" rule for pruning dead blooms.I just cut out ONLY the dead flower by its stems.

As for cutting to a set of (Usually FIRST set of 5 leaves)5 leaves,that depends on what type of Rose it is.If it is HYBRID Tea yes it is the usual way,unless the stem is too thin or very elongated,then go to second set of 5 leaf.Cut about 1/4" ABOVE the outward facing bud.

Floribundas needs periodic pruning to prevent thin upper branches from being overloaded with flowers on thin branching.I like to cut back previously bloomed stems back to a strong bud,one that is facing outward.Then a stronger stem can support the coming heavy bloom load.

If you do live in HOT Sunny place,it is better to get Roses with HIGHER petal counts,they last longer in the heat.

Roses LOOOOVE SULPHUR and lots of it too.I suggest you call around and ask for ELEMENTAL Sulphur,usually 90% 0r 94%.You will be amazed at the Increased size and Color of the blooms and the shrubs get taller and more robust.

I have cared for large Rose Gardens (200 + Plants)and also have rehabilitated them too.

WAIT......HOLD IT....STOP

Are you sure about sulphur. You live in Washington State so you probably have very acidic soil (high rainfall) AND sulpher raises the PH (as I recall). In California we have nuetral soil (6.5 to 7.0 PH) and would never use sulpher as it would make it too alkaline.

Texas is likely to be more like California....DONT USE SULPHUR untill you know your soil PH...

As too where to cut, I find that depends on the climate. Roses grow so dang fast in my yard I usually have to cut down to the second 5 leaf set.

[LadyHawk108]

Max...thanks so much for the heads up. I don't think we have an issue with lack of sulpur here. Our summer has set in early this year. We've already had over a week of over 100 degree temps. I can't keep enough water on the roses!! By the time I get home from work everyday they are limp and drooping. We do a deep watering in the evening and they spruce back up. I now know I was not cutting back the dead blooms far enough either. Thanks for all your advice!!

[maxparrish]

The rule is that in high rainfall areas (the NWest) the soil is acidic, in low rainfall (the arid southwest) it tends to alkaline. Sulpher is just a way of making acidic soil tend to alkaline. If you have an alkaline soil, it would be a disaster to add Supher.

[sunsettommy]

The rule is that in high rainfall areas (the NWest) the soil is acidic, in low rainfall (the arid southwest) it tends to alkaline. Sulpher is just a way of making acidic soil tend to alkaline. If you have an alkaline soil, it would be a disaster to add Supher.

I live in LOW rainfall area of Eastern Washington.The soil PH is around 7.3

The addition of Sulfur fertilizer in even alkaline soil is not in itself a problem because the Sulfur is weakly attached to the soil particles and will quickly LEACH out of the root zone.

So using them on the Roses that needs a lot of water is not a concern and actually makes the Nitrogen more usefull to the Roses.

It is only when little or no water is applied in already alkaline soil would there be a problem,using Sulfur.Then your concern is understandable.That is because Sulfur may accumulate in subsurface horizons of soil as precipitated GYPSUM.It might even create caliche layers,then soil drainage goes bad.

Your concern is understandable,but with a lot of water being applied to Roses in Hot weather,the use of Sulfur is fine.They do not accumulate with regular leaching.

It would help greatly if generous additions of Compost is applied once in the spring and again in the fall.Then with increases levels of Organic Matter built up in the ground around the Roses,less Fertilization of Sulfur is needed.This is because the OM slows down the leaching of Sulfur.This way the application of Agricultural Sulfur can undergo MINERALIZATION into SO4,the desired end product for effective uptake into the plant roots.

I suggest using Ammonium Sulfate,if you are not comfortable with Agricultural Sulfur.Then the rate is 24% SO4 to 21% N4

[LadyHawk108]

Max, I have a Jackson and Perkins Tabboo rose also. I ordered 5 rose bushes from Jackson and Perkins that came bare root and I am amazed at how quickly they are progressing! A couple weeks ago Lowe's had Jackson and Perkins roses on sale and True American and I bought about 15 I think, which is where we got the Taboo. I should mention that I took credit for the rose garden, however, it was TA who started it. He said he never promised me a rose garden, but he gave me one anyway. awww
Anyway, I'm going to look for the David Austen roses too.
Sunset, thanks for the advice on the book, I'm going to look for one!

[Naturalized-Texan]

My wife has a climbing rose bush with light pink blooms that she calls her Family Tree Rose Bush because it was grown from a cutting from her mother's rose bush - her mother passed away in 1958.

We also have a Christmas Cactus that was grown from a cutting from my grandmother's Christmas Cactus - my grandmother passed away in 1948. Our son in MD has my grandmother's original Christmas Cactus. They are both healthy and both bloom at or around Christmas. My aunt in PA had my grandmother's original Christmas Cactus and when she passed away at the age of 97, our son was the only one who was able to drive to the funeral, so we packed it in his car so that he could preserve it.