Roses are considered the most beautiful flowers in the world and are used as a universal symbol of love. Roses are revered and reviled for their exquisite beauty and piercing thorns. Their beauty and fragrance makes them a great addition to any garden. Unfortunately, roses’ high maintenance reputation causes them to be often underused in gardens. However, with a little research, properly planted and selected roses can be relatively low maintenance and are a great addition to any garden.
Maintenance
Roses require several basic needs to succeed in a garden. Roses must have at least 6 hours of direct sun preferably in an open area, to allow for good air circulation, with beds that are rich in organic matter and are well drained. When transplanting a rose loosen the root ball and soak in water or Howard Garrett Juice before transplanting. Once the rose is established, soak the rose thoroughly every 7-14 days depending on the season. Roses can tolerate moderately dry soils once established. Overwatering, too much shade, little air circulation, and poorly drained soils are often sources of disease.
Careful selection of rose cultivars will also help to minimize maintenance. Antique and Earth Kind roses are disease resistant, but not completely disease free. Fungus diseases do not debilitate them. They simply shed the infected leaves and continue to grow and bloom in good health. They may occasionally need help, but in general they are healthy and can overcome any health issues.
Pests
Another common problem for roses are pests. Aphids, thrips, and other insect pests rarely affect a healthy rosebush severely, but they can damage and disfigure the tender new growth, buds, and flowers. To help the rose overcome the problem, spray with organic insecticide (like neem oil) and/or attract or release beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
Pruning
Pruning is probably the most time intensive and intimidating aspect of rose care. However, pruning is relatively simple and is needed to maintain optimum rose health and increase blooms. Modern roses require a “hard cut-back”. Typically, modern roses are cut-back to approximately 1/3 of their grown during late January. A hard cut back is visually startling and makes the rose resemble a collection of sticks! Although its appearance is alarming, rest assured, the rose will bounce back and produce an amazing plethora of blooms.
Old roses don’t require the stringent and careful pruning that is needed by many modern roses. In fact, they can sulk and refuse to bloom if pruned too hard. Just a light touch of sharp pruning shears is all that is needed. A good rule of thumb is to remove all dead canes and clip back no more than 1/3 of the remaining bush. Avoid mid-summer or late fall pruning to avoid frost or heat burn.
Repeat bloomers can be lightly trimmed several times a year, since they flower on new growth. Once a year bloomers are best pruned after their first and only bloom. Since, they bloom on wood that has hardened over winter, early spring pruning will reduce their display and is not advised.
After pruning or hard cut-backs, roses should be fertilized for maximum benefit. Feed with organic fertilizer and water generously. Water dissolves the fertilizer into a form the rose can use and it cleans any residue off the bush. One feeding in early spring and another in early fall is sufficient. If the rose is a heavy bloomer it might help to feed it one more time in late spring.
As with modern roses, remove dead, diseased, crossing, and small growth. Antique roses less than three years old should not be pruned. Deadhead (the act of snapping off dead rose heads) throughout the blooming season to increase blooms.
