I love roses, and I know I'm not alone. Rose bushes are by far the most popular flowering shrubs in Canada. In fact, they are so popular that most people don't think of them as flowering shrubs at all.
To successfully grow roses depends on two things:
| 1. The rose variety you select. |
| 2. Soil preparation. |
Buy roses from a reputable nursery which deals in first quality stock. Then you are assured your purchase is premium quality, guaranteed to bloom the first year and well maintained. Most importantly, nurseries can identify the rose stock and provide information about hardiness and special growing requirements.
There are several major classes of roses sold by commercial Ontario suppliers: Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Grandifloras, Climbers, Shrubs, Polyanthas, Rugosas and Antique or Rare Old Garden roses. If this list seems daunting or confusing, relax. There are certain truths that apply to all types of roses. Cultivate accordingly and you will have a bounty of blooms.
Light conditions are critical. Roses need a site where they receive full sun. Six hours of direct exposure should be considered minimum. Anything less and your plant may grow tall and produce glossy green foliage, but it won't bloom – at least not abundantly or anywhere near its potential.
Soil preparation is important. Prepare the planting hole by removing heavy soil or "tired" soil that has been planted in before. Dig a hole at least 60 cm. deep and 30 cm. wide. Now backfill with a combination of 1/3 sandy loam, 1/3 composted cattle manure and 1/3 pre-moistened peatmoss. I recommend that you plant roses deeply. The bud union should be buried at least 3 cm. below soil level to prevent it from the cold. Spread out the roots gently so they don't become gnarled and strangle. Trim any that seem excessively long. Firm the new soil around the root structure of the rose bush using your foot and full weight of your body.
After planting, water in a 5-15-5 transplanter solution to encourage new roots and keep reasonably well-watered throughout the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out only 2 cm. deep between watering. Continue to fertilize monthly through spring with Rose Food until early August when you should stop applying fertilizer and let mother nature harden your rose bushes off naturally, in preparation for winter.
While roses like to be planted in well-drained soil, they also like water. Keep them moist before, during and after planting. However, bear in mind that roses are sometimes prone to black spot fungus, a disease associated with wet foliage. Always try to water the soil, not the foliage. Leaves do not absorb water anyway.
Planting distance varies depending on type. Space Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras and Floribundas at least 60 cm. apart. Climbers should do well 2 meters apart, while Shrubs need to be placed 90 cm. apart to create a screen or informal hedge effect. All roses take on a hedge effect very quickly when placed close together. That's fine if you intend to create a wall of foliage and blooms. But be prepared to do some thinning out sooner or later. Over-crowding will stunt the natural shape and spread of the bush, and may promote disease. Proper spacing promotes better air circulation and reduces the potential for development of molds and viruses.
As your roses mature, most will need annual pruning. Recurrent blooming roses – Rugosas, Shrubs, Climbers and Old Garden types – need little or no pruning. However, Floribundas, Grandifloras, Hybrid Teas and Miniatures require severe pruning annually in spring.
Follow my advice and I promise you one thing – if you attempt to grow roses in a sunny spot in your yard this season, you will discover why roses are the most popular flowering "shrub" in the country.
