If you search the Internet for roses and their care, you’ll notice a great deal of conflicting advice. Some will advise that growing roses is easy, while others claim the contrary.
So who do you believe - well, me of course!
Seriously, both groups of commentators are right, as far as they go. Growing roses successfully is not difficult if, (and this is a big if) the conditions are suitable for roses - it’s as simple as that.
If we attempt to grow roses in a soil that’s not suited to growing roses, and we don’t take the necessary steps to improve the soil, then of course we’re courting disappointment. If we understand what the optimum environment is for our roses, then the closer we can keep to those conditions, the more success we’ll have with them. People will go to their local garden center and spend their hard earned money on plants, including roses, and yet they don’t really understand what conditions their new purchases require.
If we firstly consider what roses like. Roses prefer:
· A soil that is leaning towards being heavy, they like clay, but not so heavy you can use it for modelling.
· To have their roots in a soil that is rich in humus and well-rotted manure (cow manure is best).
· A moisture retentive soil that also drains freely. They don’t like going thirsty but they won’t tolerate standing water.
· A pH balanced soil of between 6.0 and 6.9
· At least 6 hours sunlight, but really the more the better, as long as it isn’t so intense that it makes them flag.
· A gentle breeze to keep the air circulating through their leaves, but they don’t like a wind strong enough to tear their leaves.
Knowing this, we can now set about supplying these ideal conditions.
The soil.
If the soil poor it will need to be enriched with well rotted manure and lots of it.
If the soil is mostly chalk or sand it will need plenty of well rotted manure, garden compost and loam to bulk it up.
If the soil has too much clay, again it will need plenty of well rotted manure, garden compost and some fine pea gravel to break it up.
If the soil is a good quality loam already then it will still need plenty of well rotted manure because roses are greedy feeders.
If the soil retains too much water and stays soggy, ideally find another location.
Soil acidity.
Your local garden center will stock an inexpensive soil testing kit. This will enable you to figure the acidity of your local soil. Ideally it wants to be between 6.0 and 6.9. Once you’ve established the acidity or otherwise of your soil then you can start to stabilize it for your roses.
To increase the pH by one point, you can dig in hydrated lime at 8oz to 12 oz per square yard. To lower the pH by one point, you can dig in ground-rock-sulphur at between 1.2oz and 3.5 oz per square yard.
Location.
Roses enjoy direct sunshine, but not so much it blisters you with its intensity. They need a minimum of six hours a day but they’ll be happier with ten, as long as it isn’t too intense. If your location can’t supply at least six hours a day you could try some of the older roses or perhaps the rugosa rose, but again you’re getting away from the ideal, so don’t be too surprised if the flowers aren’t so prolific.
If your roses are in a part of your garden where the air is stagnant because of surrounding buildings or vegetation, then they will likely be prone to mildew. If this is likely to be the case, have a word with your local roses grower, and ask his advice as to what varieties of rose are less prone to powdery mildew.
If on the other hand your site’s atop a hill that’s hit by storms off the ocean, then again, your roses won’t thrive. Roses need air to circulate through their branches, to keep them healthy and free of mildew, but they resent a sharp wind strong enough to desiccate their leaves. Establish from which directions the prevailing winds are coming and do your roses a favor and provide them with some shelter.
The bottom line is, the closer the conditions are to the optimum for a rose the more success you’ll both enjoy. If you want to be successful with roses, supply them with the conditions they like, be prepared for some hard work if your soil isn’t the best, and realize that most soils can be improved. Unless you’re unfortunate to live in a climate of extremes then most conditions can be managed to favor the rose.
Keith Berwick is a rose growing enthusiast who has been growing roses both professionally and for pleasure for over 40 years and enjoys helping others to get started in this rewarding hobby. For more great information on the caring for roses, visit www.rosecaretoptips.com
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