Rose Guidelines
- Select a planting location with good drainage, where plants will receive at least 8 hours of sunlight.
- Morning sun is especially helpful in reducing common fungal diseases.
- For sun-loving roses, more sun equates to more flower production, which means at least 6 hours of sunlight.
- For gardens with more shade, select roses designated as "Shade Tolerant". This means less than 6 hours.
- Always choose rose cultivars with a hardiness rating for your zone. If you are unsure, please ask us.
- Soil should be fertile and loose with plenty of organic matter; however, limit the use of animal manures and avoid adding any fertilizers at planting time, especially those high in nitrogen.
NOTE: Nitrogen fertilizers at planting can cause root burning and severely limit future potential flower production. A phosphorus fertilizer like bone meal or rock/superphosphate can be used safely at planting when applied according to product label instructions.
Roses Spacing Guidelines
Spacing is important for proper plant development and to help reduce potential disease infections.
General rose spacing guidelines:
- Hybrid Tea - 3 to 4 feet apart.
- Grandiflora - 3 to 5 feet apart.
- Floribunda - 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Shrub Roses - 2 to 5 feet apart.
- Climbers - 4 to 6 feet apart.
- Mini Roses - 1 to 2 feet apart.
- Groundcover types - 5 to 6 feet apart.
Container Sizes
Container sizes should fit the potential root zone capacity.
For Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda, Shrub Roses, Groundcover types, and Tree Roses a container 2 feet x 2 feet is best.
Smaller climbing roses can use this sized container too, but larger growing climbers will perform best with more root space in a larger pot.
Mini Roses will perform best in pots that are 12-15 inches high and wide.
NOTE: Any containers should have adequate drainage holes.
Know your rose!
- Use common sense about where to plant, by choosing an appropriate-sized rose for your space.
- If a rose is described as being a vigorous grower, leave the maximum amount of space between plants.
- Roses should be planted at least 2 feet away from a solid surface like fences, walls, or structures to prevent damage from reflected heat and to maintain proper air circulation.
- Maintain proper distances from other competing plants as well.
- Remove all competitive weeds and turf grasses from rose planting beds.
