How to Fertilize a Sally Holmes Rose Bush

Use a garden fork to scratch the fertilizer lightly into the soil.

Sally Holmes is a rose cultivar known for its large clusters of white, fragrant flowers that are reminiscent of white hydrangeas. It is a compact bush that, at mature height, can reach 6 to 12 feet tall. It also can be trained to climb a trellis or wall. If properly cared for -- which includes adopting a good fertilizing schedule -- a Sally Holmes rose bush blooms reliably from spring until fall. Fertilize the rose bushes after the last frost in the spring.

Things You'll Need

• Rose fertilizer or 12-12-12 fertilizer
• Rake, garden fork or three-prong weeding tool
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the directed amount of rose fertilizer, found on the label, around the base of each rose bush and evenly spread it out under the entire canopy. You can also use 1/4 cup of balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, per plant. Then, use a rake, garden fork or three-prong weeding tool to lightly scratch the fertilizer into the soil without disturbing the roots.

2. Water the rose bushes with approximately 1 inch of water near the base of the plants rather from overhead; overhead watering promotes foliar diseases. Water helps settle the fertilizer into the soil.

3. Fertilize repeat blooming roses, such as Sally Holmes, every four to six weeks until early August, recommends University of Kentucky.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not get fertilizer on the foliage or flowers; doing so can cause burns.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Sally Holmes
• Great Plant Picks: Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’
• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: Roses