Roses are considered on the world’s favorite flowering plants. The rose is an ancient species of plant which, through centuries of hybridization, has become the marvelously diverse and interesting plant we enjoy today.
Common types
Climbing Roses – Climbers are often of the large-flowering varieties which bloom in loose clusters of 5-15 blooms. Most are disease-resistant and will survive without winter protection.
Floribunda Roses – Floribundas, characterized by their larger clustered flowers, can be very fragrant; most will re-bloom throughout the season. They form compact and well-shaped bushes.
Hybrid Tea Roses – Hybrid tea roses are one of the most commonly grown roses. With their long stems, wonderful color range and long, abundant blooming period, these roses are vigorous but also high-maintenance.
Shrub Roses – Shrub roses come in a wide variety of flowers and sizes. They are hardy, requiring little care, but do need winter protection.
Miniature Roses – Miniature roses range between 1’ and 3’ in height and produce small but perfectly-formed blooms. They are standard roses in every respect except for their miniature flowers and foliage. Their size makes them an ideal choice for limited space gardens. They are typically very hardy plants; most can survive bleak winter conditions without shelter.
Flower Carpet Roses – Flower carpet roses are spreading, shrub roses with white, pink, amber, coral, yellow or red flowers. They are attractive, hard-working, low-maintenance, disease-resistant roses that work well in a multitude of landscape situations.
Knockout-The Knock Out® Family of Roses are easy to grow shrub roses and do not require special care. They are the most disease resistant rose on the market. They have stunning flowers that range in color from hot pink/red, deep pink, light pink, yellow and white. Flowers can be either single or double and will continue to bloom until the first hard frost in, New England sometimes into November. All of the Knock Out® Roses are self-cleaning so there is no need to deadhead.
Care Instructions
Sunlight
Full sun (6–8 hours or more) for best blooming.
Water
Water regularly in the first season to establish deep root system. Keep well-watered during dry periods. Avoid overhead watering systems, roses can be prone to fungal diseases when the foliage gets wet, always water at the base of the plant.
Soil
Well-drained with plenty of organic matter.
Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer when new growth is approximately 6 inches long. Newly planted roses should not be fertilized until they have been given 3-4 weeks to establish themselves. Use a rose fertilizer such as Ortho Rosepride, Espoma Rose Tone or Miracle Gro Rose.
Fertilize a second time after the first flush of flowers is spent. A third application of fertilizer may be applied but not after August 1st.
Deadheading
Cut at a downward angle just above a five-leaflet set which is outward-facing. Some roses bloom only once. If they are the types being grown for hips, blooms are left on.
Pruning
Prune twice each year; first in early winter to cut back long canes and then in late winter/early spring in preparation for the new growing season.
Most shrub roses benefit from early spring pruning; taking in the lateral branches and shaping what is needed for looks. Some older varieties of roses bloom on old wood so they should only be pruned for shape, however miniatures, floribundas and hybrid teas bloom on new wood and need to be pruned back each year.
Winter Protection
Provide winter protection for hybrid tea, shrub and floribunda roses. Mound the soil up 10 inches and add another 10 inches of dry leaves or evergreen boughs. Gradually remove the leaves in early April or at the first sign of new growth. Remove the soil when it thaws.
To overwinter tree roses, dig a trench to one side of the rose. Dig up one side of the roots and lay the rose down into the trench. Hold the trunk in place by crossing two stakes over the top of the trunk, then cover the rose with soil or mulch. Not all roses need to be protected as heavily; most hardy shrub roses will overwinter without much protection. Hybrid tea roses and any rose with a grafted root system should be protected.
Diseases and Pests
Roses are subject to attack from a variety of diseases, pest and insects including black spot, powdery mildew, aphids, spider mites, rose borers, etc. Good clean-up practices are critical to disease prevention. Make sure fallen leaves and petals are collected and discarded at the start of the season and at least weekly thereafter.
Control using a systemic fertilizer such as Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Insect Killer or Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care. General insecticides or fungicides may also be used. Organic fertilizers and soil amendments are another option for maintaining healthy fungi and bacteria in your soil.
