How to Grow Giant Roses

Long-stemmed roses that are between 4 and 6 feet are marketed as giant roses.

Roses that are advertised as giant roses have stems up to 6 feet in height. Giant roses have been featured in the Rose Parade. These roses grow naturally in rich organic soil at high altitudes in countries such as Ecuador. But you don't need to move to a foreign country to grow tall roses with long canes. Some rose varieties, including hybrid roses, shrubs and climbing roses may grow as tall as 6 feet in height.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Hand cultivating fork
• Compost
• Pruning shears
• Granulated fertilizer (7-8-5)

Instructions

1. Buy roses that are known to grow 6 feet in height or more. Shrub roses grow best in northern climates, while shrub, tea, hybrid or climbing roses will grow well in southern climates.

2. Plant roses in early spring in northern climates or in early spring or late fall, late winter or early spring in southern climates.

3. Find a planting location that is in well drained soil and receives between four and six hours of sunlight daily. Open a planting hole for the roses that is twice as deep and wide as the plant. Scratch compost into the walls of the planting hole.

4. Mound up soil in a cone in the center of the planting hole. Place the rose canes so that the original soil line is level with the ground in southern climates or slightly deeper in northern climates. Spread the roots over the cone of soil and cover the roots with soil. Water the soil so that it is as damp as a wrung-out sponge until the roses become established. Roses should be watered deeply with 1 inch every seven to 10 days. Deep watering promotes a deeper root system.

5. Prune roses yearly in early spring. Remove all weak growth thinner than a pencil, branches that grow below the rose graft union scar at the base of the plant, or canes that grow inward through the center of the plant. Remove the weaker cane of any two canes that rub against each other. Cut back any canes that appear diseased or damaged to the nearest outward-facing bud on healthy wood.

6. Scratch a granulated fertilizer into the drip line around the perimeter of the roots in early spring after the second year.

Tips & Warnings

• Examples of roses with a 6-foot growth habit include hybrid tea roses, hybrid musk roses, climbing roses and rambling roses.

• Most roses have sharp thorns. Always wear heavy leather gloves when handling roses.

References

• Clemson University Extension: Growing Roses
• Pleasant Morning Buzz: Giant Roses in the Rose Parade
• University of Minnesota Extension: Culture of Garden Roses

Resources

• Planet Care: Choosing a Rose Fertilizer