6 Tips for Growing Gorgeous Roses

1. Pick a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Roses are sun-worshippers and do best in organically rich soil that does isn’t soggy. 6 or more hours of direct sun daily helps keep the blooms coming, the foliage lush and the plants healthy.
2. Pick “own root” roses if you haven’t had the best luck with roses in the past. Own root roses are grown on their own root, not attached or “grafted” to roots of a different variety. They’re more winter hardy than grafted roses and do not require special planting. Look for “OR” at the end of rose descriptions. All of our rugosa and shrub roses are on their own root!
3. Plant grafted roses deeper. Many large-flowered, cutting-type roses (hybrid tea, grandiflora) are grafted and require deeper planting to ensure winter hardiness. See our planting guide for more info.
4. Mulch roses. Roses like a cool, moist root zone. Use fine-textured mulch such as shredded pine or leaf mulch. Not only does mulch look great, but it also adds valuable nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.
5. Water the roots, not the leaves. Roses like even moisture. To minimize the chance of fungal problems, it’s best to water roses in the morning and at the base only. Sprinklers are a no-no.
6. Feed roses. Roses expend a lot of energy producing flowers. Keep them fortified with a rose food formula applied 3 times a season starting in April and ending by August 1st.