Annuals
Perennials
Bulbs
Lilacs
Roses
Sunflowers

Rose Gardening

 Rose Gardening is not as challenging as many assume it is. With a little effort, growing rose bushes is possible, even in cold climates.

Types of Roses

Climbing roses will grow upward, reaching for light.
They need to be secured to a structure because they do not have tendrils for attaching themselves.

Climbing roses branch out horizontally. It is on these branches that the buds form. The branches can be trained to grow horizontally by tying them to a structure such as a trellis, arbor, or fence.

Many  rose bush varieties are winter hardy, such as Rambling Red (zones 3-9). Other climbers include Blaze and William Baffin (zones 4-9).

For rose gardening with arches and walls, Zephirine Drouhin produces large, fragrant flowers with few thorny stems.

Shrub roses are bushy and compact, producing clusters of flowers.

They can be used as hedges or bedding plants in the landscape.

The different varieties are winter hardy. The Henry Hudson is hardy to zone 2!

Many shrub roses will bloom throughout the season, making them a good choice for rose gardening.

Modern roses include hybrid teas (the best known type of rose bush) and floribundas. Most varieties are hardy to zones 4-9.

There are many species of roses within the above listed types of roses.

How to Grow Roses:

Planting Roses and Rose Care

Most roses will arrive to you bare-root at the appropriate planting time for the zone that you live in.

When they arrive it is best to plant them as soon as possible.

Before planting them, soak the roots in water for a day.

Dig a hole deep enough for the roots to spread without being twisted. Nurseries will provide complete planting instructions.

It is not necessary to do a lot of fussing with roses to produce beautiful results. Provide them a location where they receive lots of sun and well drained soil, and they will be happy.

Fertilizing

At the time of planting, mix a quality fertilizer into the soil. This can be repeated when the roses start to bloom.

Pruning

Pruning your rose garden should be done to remove old or broken canes. This will provide more air around the healthy canes and allow more sun through.

Pruning should be done in the spring while the plants are dormant.

When cutting stems, cut just above the leaflets to encourage new growth. Cut on a slant.

Winter Protection

If you live in a cold climate, you should protect your rose garden during the winter. Mound a heap of soil around the lower branches to protect them during the winter months. Larger rose bushes can be wrapped with burlap.