Roses can be used in many ways to enhance your property, such as a border along a fence or walkway. Roses gracefully repay a gardener's devotion with their elegant beauty---and is the most rewarding flower to grow.
Give roses a good start by taking the time to prepare the soil, because a rose is no better than the soil it is planted in. The soil should be mixed with organic matter, such as peat moss, leaf mold or compost.
Usually, the best soil for roses is deep and rich loam. An exception is the hybrid rose, which will grow in well-drained, sandy, gravelly soil.
To promote fast, healthy root growth, remove the rose from the container before planting. Be careful not to damage tender roots.
Pruning is necessary to control the size and shape of a plant. Pruning also helps to keep roses healthy and producing more blooms. Use curved-edged pruning shears for the best results.
Water and Fertilizer
One inch of water per week is ideal for roses to grow and thrive. During a drought, water twice a week.
For the fertilizer, surround the ground around the rose bush with banana peels. If you don't have enough to go all the way around the rose bush, then just add a couple of handfuls of Epsom salt, coffee grounds or tea bags.
Heavy clay soil can be loosened by adding gypsum.
To improve soil drainage, add perlite or sand.
- How to Grow Beautiful Roses
- How to Grow Climbing Roses
- Roses-Getting Started on the Growing Season
- Pruning Old Fashion Roses
- Knock Out Roses
roses, rose growth, rose maintanence
About this Author
Living in a small town in Georgia all of her life, Sherry Shinholster has been writing health-related and gardening articles for various websites since 2009. She has more than 20 years of gardening experience and has completed a medical transcription course.