Growing Roses

The roses we produce are grown from cuttings and are on their own roots. You do not have to concern yourself about the placement of the bud union as you do in budded roses. Plant them in the same manner as any other shrub. Any suckers which appear from the base of your rose in the future will be the same variety you purchased.

You should plant in a site that receives at least one-half day of full sun, and more is better. The soil should drain well and have adequate organic matter. If your soil is low in organic matter be sure to add compost to the soil. When planting mix the compost thoroughly with the existing soil. Roses grow best in a neutral soil. It is advised to have your soil tested, or to purchase a kit that will show you the pH (acidity level) of your soil. If the test shows results below 6, you should add agricultural limestone to raise the level to between 6 and 7. In more acidic soils many of the nutrients such as calcium and magnesium are chemically bound up. Raising the pH will release many of these.

We recommend pruning your new rose back approximately one-third to encourage vigorous shoots. It is not necessary to prune them drastically, as you do many packaged roses. In fact many prefer not to prune our roses at all when planting. Some roses are briar-like plants and will sucker and spread if given cultivated ground.

Young roses should require only the removal of winter-damaged canes in spring. Generally shrub roses are pruned more sparingly than hybrid teas or floribundas. As your plant ages, we recommend pruning out the oldest canes and allowing new suckers to take their place.

If you want to cut back an older shrub rose do it in early spring before the buds expand. Rose hedges should also be pruned at this time. Be sure to keep the base of your hedge wider than the top to allow light to reach the bottom stems.

Although winter protection is generally not necessary with these hardy roses, if you are trying to grow a variety that is tender in your area you can protect it in winter with either an overwintering blanket or by mounding the base with a mulch such as bark chips.

Remember that good flower production demands adequate moisture at all times, good drainage, good fertility and high light levels. If these conditions are met, and weeds kept under control, you should enjoy many beautiful blooms.