February and March are the best months to plant roses, so it’s a great time to think about roses. (Normally, new nurseries start in January and February.)
If planted early, the rose bush will grow roots into the soil of the bed, and the roots will be firmly established when the flowers bloom.
However, many gardeners wait until later in April or May, when the roses are in bloom, to purchase and plant them.
When the rose is in full bloom, it becomes difficult for the rose to get used to and adapt to new conditions. In addition, when roses are planted in April and May, scorching summer heat is just around the corner.
However, if you plant them in February or March, they will take root when the weather is mild, and by May they will be ready to handle the summer heat.
The downside to planting roses before they bloom is that you can’t see the flowers when you pick them.
Hybrid tea roses are good for gardeners who want long-stemmed cut flowers.
Better yet, make a list of the varieties you’re thinking of planting and look them up on the internet to see what kind and color of flowers they produce, as well as pictures of how the bushes grow. .
rose selection
First, decide how you want to use your roses in your landscape and why you intend to grow them.
Landscape shrubs: The trend is to incorporate roses into landscape plantings just like other shrubs.
This is especially true of old garden roses (Southern Louisiana’s best categories are China Rose, Noisette Rose, Tea Rose, and Bourbon Rose), Landscape Roses (Knockout, Drift, Belinda’s Dream, etc.), Polyanthus (The Fairy, etc.), and Floribunda (like summer snow).
Knockout roses are one of the types that can be combined with other landscape plantings.
long stem: For long-stemmed roses that are best suited for cut flowers, you might choose hybrid teas or grandiflora (although other groups of roses also make excellent cut flowers).
Due to their rather tall and clumsy shape, which cannot be easily combined with other plants, and their strict cultural requirements, these roses are often grown in separate beds. , requires regular spraying.
Older garden roses are suitable for growing on a trellis or other type of support.
On the trellis: If you want to grow roses on your trellis, arbor or fence, we recommend choosing old garden rose varieties that produce long, vigorous canes such as climbing roses, rambler and noisette roses.
where to plant them
An important consideration when deciding where to plant roses in your landscape is choosing a site that has the necessary growing conditions for a successful rose.
Do not plant roses in partially shaded or shaded areas. To be able to live up to expectations, it should get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The shade they receive should ideally come in the afternoon.
Morning sun helps dry the leaves early in the day, which helps reduce disease. Roses also need good drainage, so avoid low areas that stay wet.
getting ready for bed
Whether you’re planting roses in a dedicated rose bed or including roses in an existing bed with other types of plants, carefully prepare your rose planting site.
step 1: First, remove unwanted vegetation (weeds, turfgrass, etc.) from the surrounding area. Use the herbicide glyphosate to kill unwanted plants if they are growing green (wait two weeks before planting roses) or physically remove them (to remove roots, bulbs, or rhizomes). be sure to dig in).
Step 2: Get the soil at least 8 to 10 inches deep.
Step 3: Next, spread the improver over the improved soil. Add at least 4 inches of organic matter such as compost, rotten manure, or composted finely ground pine bark.
Step 4: Apply all-purpose fertilizer as directed on the label and mix well with the soil. To find out what other modifications need to be added to the soil, have him tested at his LSU AgCenter Extension office in your local parish.
Step 5: Finally, thoroughly mix the improver into the existing soil (a garden tiller is great for this) and scoop it up smoothly.
plant a rose
When planting rose bushes, take your time and be careful and do it properly.
Bare-root roses: Remove the roots from the wrapper and place the roots in a bucket of water. Dig a hole as deep and wide as the root system in a well-prepared bed.
Place a cone of soil in the hole, place the plant on top of the cone and spread the roots over it. Hold the plant in place so that the grafting piece (the large knob at the bottom of the plant) is about 2 inches above the soil in the bed.
Use your other hand to push soil into the hole and cover the roots. When finished, make sure the graft union is above soil level.
From February onwards, avoid buying bare-root roses as they have already begun to sprout.
Container roses: Dig a hole in the bed about the same size as the container’s root ball. Slide the plant out of the container.
Don’t worry if the soil falls off the root system. Roses may not be potted long enough for the roots to fill the container and hold the soil together. Follow the rest of the steps for bare-root roses.
Otherwise, put the root ball in the hole so that it is level with the soil in the bed. Fill around the root ball and firm the soil.
Water the plants well, settle the soil, and mulch.
Garden columnist Dan Gill answers readers’ questions each week. To submit questions, email her Gill at gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu.
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