Friday Flower Feature - Roses
This week’s Friday Flower Feature is the “Queen of Flowers” - the rose. Growing roses is rumoured to be a daunting task, however, as long as they are placed in a sunny location and given the proper care, they can be grown successfully.
Growing and care tips include:
If you are a beginner, you might want to consider planting a potted rose as they are easy to plant and establish themselves quicker. Novice rose growers may purchase a bare root plant and soak the roots overnight before planting.
Roses should receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and thrive in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
The best time to plant your roses is in the spring after the last frost. If planting in fall, your roses should be planted at least six weeks before the first frost to allow the roots enough time to burrow in the soil before the plants go dormant over the winter.
Fertilize and prune regularly. It’s almost impossible to kill a rose bush by over pruning. Remove all dead and damaged canes at the beginning of the season and cut back a third to half of the previous year’s growth until you find healthy white centres in the cane. Prune throughout the season to keep your roses well groomed.
Roses make a beautiful cut flower and last the longest when they are cut immediately after the bud stage, when the petals are starting to open. Prized for the beauty and fragrance, roses are tough and resilient and thrive with little pampering.
What are your tips for growing and caring for roses?
