Nothing is more beautiful than a well established and mature rose bush with an exuberant display of flowers. Roses are one of the most popular and best loved plants to enjoy in a range of garden types and a mature, well cared for rose garden is a legacy on its own and can last for many years, creating beautiful flowers again and again. However, new gardeners shy away from planting these bushes because if you do not know what you are doing it can be difficult to get abundant blooms from your roses. This need not be the case, because with a few handy tips it is easy to not only successfully grow rose plants, but to also make sure that they frequently give you beautiful, big flowers that will be loved any who see them.
Modern Rose Bush Varieties And Colours
Caring for roses is easier than most people think and they are no more problematic than other blush varieties. Modern roses have especially been cultivated in such a way that they are tougher than their ancestors so they can cope better with a range of different growing environments and weather conditions. They also flower more frequently and come in a phenomenal range of colours that range from white, to deep red, to orange and purple, as well as many more delightful shades. This means that no matter your rose growing experience or what colour palete you wish to express in your garden, you are likely to not only find the perfect rose, but with some advice be able to enjoy all the modern rose bush has to offer.
Choosing the Right Rose for You
Roses come in a range of different varieties and you can choose from standard old-fashion roses, to creepers, climbers, miniature roses and varieties that bloom only in certain seasons. It can feel a little overwhelming to choose and very tempting to buy a large assortment, but regardless of which variety you decided on it is important to not go overboard as you must always spare some thought on to how they will look in your garden.
If you are planning to plant your bushes together than less is more, as it is better to select two or three roses that will complement each other in both look and colour, and to plant them with plenty of room between them and other plants. This is so that you can more easily care for them, prevent entanglement between the rose bushes and it will create a much more appealing look. The same care should be taken if you plan to spread your roses throughout your garden by always choose bloom colours that will enhance the garden space and colour palette. You should take care that smaller roses will not be overwhelmed by larger plants, and be especially careful with creeper varieties so that they have room to grow and will not entangle or damage more delicate plants with their clinging stems and thorns.
Buying A Rose Bush
If you are a beginner rose gardener then it would probably be best to buy already well established plants as they are stronger, their roots are already well established in potting soil and they both settle quicker and grown sooner then buying bare root roses. If you are also unsure about where you would like to grow your roses, you can buy potted ones which can be moved around the garden until you have made up your mind.
Buying bare-root plants are often favoured by the more establish gardeners as they offer the opportunity to get a larger selection of roses and are easier to transport and store until they will be planted. The disadvantage of this type of plant is that they will require more know-how and gentle care to ensure that they reanimate and are planted without damaging the exposed roots which will be required to be soaked overnight before planting. With bare-root roses the soil needs to be kept moist for the first few months after planting.
The Right Time and Place
Before you plant you need to find the right spot and consider the season. In order for your rose bush to create numerous, large and colourful flowers, the plant will need to be placed in an area where it will receive no less than six to eight hours of sun a day. However, scorching of the plant in the hottest hours of the day during summer months needs to be prevented. In colder climate, it would be best to choose a spot that offers some protection from abrasive cold winds and frost in winter.
Roses do not like to sit in water, so they require well drained soil and regular, but minimal watering. It is important to choose the right bed to suit your rose bush to produce healthy roots which will ensure an established plant. If your soil is very clay based then you will need to break it up with organic matter to improve drainage, however overly sandy, dry soil will need compost to make sure that it does not dry out too quickly after watering. Also always dig your planting holes nice and deep as well as wide to ensure good drainage and so that the roots have plenty of space for easy growth before they hit compacted dirt. This is important as good roots allow for a healthy, strong flowering plant. Never plant rose bush closer than three feet apart so that they are not in direct competition for light and food while they are establishing themselves in their new home.
The best time to plant roses is during the spring months when you are sure that their will no longer be any cold snaps. Or you can plant your rose bush in early autumn, well before the first frost arrives. This is important as too cold weather can damage the roots if they have not yet established, and even if the plant survives, it might cause it to produce pure blooms for a number of years. Keep in mind that bare-root roses should only be planted in spring, and roses that are placed in pots can be planted at any time of the year, provided that the plant is not put under shock by especially cold weather. Roses should never be planted on hot days as this too can cause unnecessary stress to the plant and can taint its ability to thrive and grow, prolonging the time it needs before it can produce flowers.
Keeping Your Rose Bush Healthy
A healthy, well cared for rose bush is essential to get numerous, large, brightly coloured flowers again and again. Once you have planted your roses, ensure to protect them from too much heat exposure or frost by laying generous amounts of peat moss or green compost around their base. Do not use harsh chemicals or overnutrition to encourage the plants to grow as this can chemically burn them and have the opposite effect, rather use a slow release fertiliser and replace the peat moss or green compost as often as needed to ensure a continual good layer. These organic components will ensure the ideal pH balance of the soil and a constant slow feeding of the plant with nutrients that will give it the strength it needs to produce flowers.
Roses like regular spares watering and the biggest mistake new gardeners make is too over water their plants. The amount of moisture you will need to use will depend on your soil and climate and must be adjusted accordingly and should be given frequently over the plants growing season. If you are unsure how much water you need to give, then it is best to consult a gardening centre for expert advice. What is also important is to not wet the physical plant, but to only water the base to prevent mildew and rot forming on the leaves. To help prevent this, water roses in the morning rather than in the late evening as rot can set in overnight.
Prune More Often Than Not
Another essential element to getting beautiful blooms from your rose bushes is to prune them often. Roses love attention and a basic prune every spring is essential. Cut the plant back to about a third of its hight and it will reward you with new shoots and taller, faster growth. Throughout the year no hard pruning is needed, but make sure to trim off dead or dying limbs and dried leaves. Deadheading will also help to encourage more blooms. If you want your beautiful flowers for display, then cut them off just as they are opening. A well established and healthy rose bush will then continue to give you roses thought its growing season and if you have planted it properly and feed it regularly with nutrients, it will continue to grow, thrive and bloom beautifully for many, many years.
