There are many different types of roses. Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, climbing, running, shrub roses, such as Knock Out Roses, are among a few types. Regardless of what type rose you are planting, there are basic planting techniques that, when followed, will greatly enhance your ability to grow healthy roses.
Where to plant roses?
Before planting your rose, you'll want to choose a good location. A sunny area of the garden that gets at least 4 to 5 hours of sun is best. Morning sun is a must as it will dry dew from the leaves that might otherwise lead to the onset of damaging fungus and other diseases. If you are planting several roses in a group, avoid crowding them too close together. Provide enough space between the roses so that when they are of mature size you can easily walk between them. This will also allow them plenty of room to breathe.
How To Plant Roses
Planting Container Grown Roses In The Garden
STEP 1 - To plant a container grown rose, dig a hole at least 24" deep, and 12" wider than the container the rose is in. This will give the roots plenty of room to start growing through amended soil.
STEP 2 - After you dig the planting hole, fill it half way with water and let the water soak in. The water should empty the hole within an hour, and if not, dig the hole a few inches deeper. You want to insure there will be adequate drainage because roses will not tolerate wet feet. Consistently wet soil cause decline of the plant and eventually lead to root rot and death.
STEP 3 - After digging the hole for your rose, mix in the following to the soil removed from the planting hole:
- One shovel full of peat moss
- One shovel full of composted cow manure
- One shovel full of compost such as mushroom compost (or some other for of compost)
- One cup of cottonseed meal
- One cup of bone meal
- One tablespoon of Epsom salts
Mix these ingredients together with the native soil dug from the hole.
STEP 4 - Before placing the rose in the hole, backfill hole with soil mixture to a level where the top of the rootball (or the bud union for bare root roses) will be slightly above the ground level. Place root ball in planting hole and continue to make necessary adjustments to make sure the level is right.
STEP 5 - When you have the level right, hold the rose steady and straight and begin to backfill with amended soil mixture, tamping lightly as you go to remove air pockets. Stop backfilling at a point 3/4 from the top of the hole. Add water to settle and remove any air pockets. Then add some fish emulsion for an extra boost. Follow instructions on the product label. Finish backfilling making sure not to put any mix on top of the rootball.
STEP 6 - Build a 2" high catch basin to help retain water during the first season by mounding a ring of soil in a circle around the perimeter of the hole.
