Due to their fragrance and beauty, roses are the most popular flower choice for gardening, gift giving and events’ decoration. A well maintained rose garden is welcoming and exciting to look at. They are easy to grow and add that much needed elegant look to your garden. However, to have a perfect rose garden, you must follow a few tips and tricks that are discussed below.
Tips and tricks for growing great roses
Right gardening area
Just like all other plants, you must select the right garden area to grow roses. Most rose types thrive well when under full sun exposure. Others do well with less than nominal light exposure. If you do not have a part of your garden that enjoys full sun exposure to spare, go for types that do thrive under a little shade like Zephirine drouhin. If your area is hot, protect the roses from the intense afternoon sun.
Soils
To do well, roses need moisture retaining soil that is rich in nutrients. The pH balance should be between 6.5 and 7. If you garden soil is extremely wet and heavy, consider planting the roses in raised beds where you use the right soil. Ensure the raised beds have good drainage and create loose texture by adding highly organic compost.
Water
Roses require more water to thrive than most home garden plants and flowers especially during their first year when their roots are getting established. Therefore, the best and economical way to water roses is drip irrigation. Drip irrigation concentrates water at the root area where it is most needed. Add organic mulch to reduce weeds and boost healthy root growth by preserving moisture. Moreover, as the mulch breaks down, it adds beneficial organic matter to the soil.
Fertilizer
When roses are getting established, they benefit from a steady supply of organic fertilizer that should be added once or twice a month depending on your soil nutrients level. Additionally, adding compost seaweed extracts, rotten manure and fish emulsion provides the growing plants with beneficial nutrients. Apart from stimulating soil life, such organic additions balance the soils’ pH.
Pests and diseases
Prevention is better than cure. Thus, consider planting disease resistant rose types, keep the well watered, fertilized and maintained. If you experience persistent pests, use botanical insecticides like neem, pyrethrins and sabadilla. They are organic, broad and eliminate many insect types. However, they should be used sparingly.
Regular pruning
Dead or weak stems can lead to diseases that can be prevented through pruning. Pruning increases air circulation in your rose garden, stimulates growth and offers space to shape the garden as you please. To maintain order and make clean cuts, use a scissor action pruner. Remove spent flowers during the growth season to boost blooming.
Roses offer a pleasant and welcoming view. However, you must select the right type for your area and invest in the right rose planting habits as described above. There are thousands of great roses that can be grown. But, you must consider your areas’ climate, soil type and your garden location.
