| Rose Planting Instructions Proper planting of Old Garden Roses (or any rose, for that matter,) depends upon a few simple factors: a suitable location, soil preparation, adequate spacing, a generous planting hole, and "watering in". With a few exceptions, Old Garden Roses require at least six hours of direct sunlight in order to remain healthy and bloom well. Adequate drainage is also essential - do not try to grow roses in boggy ground or areas where water pools during wet weather. Only a very few specially adapted species, including Rosa palustris will tolerate such conditions. When planning your garden, be sure to allow adequate space for each shrub rose. Conventional spacing is determined by adding the eventual girth of adjacent plants, then dividing by two. However, some of the lankier or narrow-growing Old Roses often look best when planted in dense clumps of three or more of a single variety (space permitting). Spacing within each clump can be as close as 18 in., since the objective in this case is to create the illusion of a single shrub. Space between such clumps should be slightly greater than if single plants were used. Once a sunny, well-drained site has been selected, you will want to prepare the soil to receive your rose plants. There are no doubt gardeners somewhere in this world who are blessed with rich, loose, friable, loamy soils of great depth and a neutral or slightly acid pH, but the rest of us will need to invest a few rounds of hard labor with a spade. Dig over the entire area to be planted in roses to a depth of two spades, removing all large stones and roots and breaking up any clods of soil. Do not perform this work when the soil is wet or mucky, or you will wind up compacting it and ruining its texture. To help improve the texture of heavy or poor, sandy soils lay down a 3 or 4 in. layer of humus or compost and work this thoroughly into the soil. Planting holes for roses should be at least twice as wide as the plant's root mass or container and approximately 24 in. deep. Before planting, mix a spadeful of humus or compost and a heaping handful of bonemeal, mix into soil at bottom of hole. Once the rose is set in the planting hole sift soil carefully about the roots so as not to leave any large air pockets as you plant. When the hole is halfway refilled, pour in enough water to fill it to the brim. Allow the water to drain in completely before you finish filling the hole. Once the hole is filled, water once more. This "watering in" procedure ensures that the rose's roots are in firm contact with the soil alowing no "air pockets". Once the second application of water has soaked in, you may gently tamp the soil around the rose. Do NOT over tamp(stepping on soil to firm down)- you do not want to entomb your plants in compacted, airless earth Planting "Own Root Roses: Planting own root roses require that you plant them about the same depth that they are in their pots or if purchased bareroot; completely cover the roots and up the crown about 2" In all cases, it is worth the time and expense to lay down a 2 - 3 in. deep top-dressing of composted (aged)manure once the rose is planted. An organic mulch of this sort, replenished once or twice a year, will help conserve soil moisture and gradually improve the soil texture. Adding wood chips, sawdust or bark mulch that is not really aged atleast three years, etc.) rob soil of nitrogen as they decompose, and you will need to add nitrogen-rich fertilizer like bloodmeal or alfalfa meal in order to counteract their impact upon your plants' nutrition. Watering: Newly planted roses will appreciate deep,(long & slow)watering throughout their first season. They will be particularly susceptible to summer drought until they have had a chance to develop deep roots to seek water themselves deep below the soil surface. Remember to water newly planted roses frequently. But also take care not to drown them. If you are a novice rose grower take a minute & dig down (aprox 6") into the soil and if it's soggy wet leave it alone for another few days then water. We get this quite frequently with new rose gardeners overwatering them so please take care. But be sure to check regularily to see if the roses needs water!! NOTE: BUDDED/GRAFTED ROSES - most important part of all! Planting budded roses in Canadian Climates, (Zones 3, 4 or 5), requires us to plant your rose plants with the bud union 3"-4". below the surface of the soil. This will not only afford an extra degree of winter protection for the vital bud union, but encourage the formation of roots above the union as well, making the plant, in effect, an "own-root" rose. |
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