How to Grow Shrub Roses
There are a variety of roses known as shrub roses or landscape roses. Some are heirloom roses and some are newer cultivars. They are known for being disease- and insect-resistant. They, like other roses, love sunshine and need 6 to 8 hours of it daily to perform well, and soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Shrub roses have become very popular in the homeowner's garden because of their easy care and prolific blooming. Some varieties are available in local garden centers and many more are available by mail order. Follow these basic steps to grow beautiful shrub roses. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Shrub rose
- Water
- Shovel
- Composted manure or commercial rose soil
- Large container or wheelbarrow
- Mulch
- Pruning shears
- Fertilizer
Instructions
-
Planting Potted Roses
-
1
Water the rose in the pot.
-
2
Select a sunny location. Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and deep. Leave a plateau or cone in the center of the hole for the plant to rest on, digging out all around the center.
-
-
3
Mix composted manure or commercial rose soil with the soil removed from the hole. (A wheelbarrow or large bucket makes a good mixing place.)
-
4
Remove the rose from the pot. Carefully loosen any encircling roots with your fingers.
-
5
Place the rose on the cone in the center of the hole, spreading the roots over the edge of the cone. The rose should be at the same depth as it was in the pot. If not, adjust by adding soil to the plateau/cone.
-
6
Backfill the hole with the mixed soil you made. Tamp the soil around the plant.
-
7
Mulch with fine wood or pine needles and water thoroughly.
Planting Bareroot Roses
-
8
Soak roots of bareroot roses in water for 8 hours after receiving them.
-
9
Dig a hole in a sunny location that has well-drained soil. Make the hole about 2 feet wide and deep. The roots should fit into the hole without bending. If not, you may prune the roots several inches or dig a deeper hole. Mix composted manure or commercial rose soil with dirt from the hole.
-
10
Bury the roots 1 to 2 inches below the bud union. (The bud union is the place where the plant is grafted onto the root stock. There will be a bulge at this joining.) Backfill the hole with the soil mixture you made.
-
11
Make a small moat with the soil, and water thoroughly. Mulch.
-
12
Prune branches to about 9 inches from the ground. Do not fertilize the first year. Do no severe pruning for the first 3 years, according to Spring Valley Roses.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
After the shrub roses are established, prune in winter while the plant is dormant as long as temperatures are above freezing. Winter pruning will promote vigor, blooming and good health to your shrub roses.
Once plant is established, fertilize with a 5-5-5 fertilizer in the spring and throughout the growing season.
Give your shrub roses room to grow. They will get 4 to 6 feet wide and high, respectively.
