How Does Your Garden Grow?

Selection and Planting Roses

by Barb Lindholm, DeKalb County Master Gardener

Roses are an ancient flower form that has been appreciated for hundreds of years. Most flower beds can be greatly enhanced by the presence of roses. However, growing roses in northern Illinois is often difficult and frustating. With proper care and nurturing, roses can be successfully grown and enjoyed in our climate.

The first steps to rose growing are selection and preparation of the site followed by correct planting procedures. Select an area that will give the roses at least six hours of sun. Your plants will do best in fertile, well drained soil. Add compost to your soil before planting. You will be paying good money for your roses. So, at this point, take the time to carefully do the all important job of properly preparing the area for your new plantings. Be sure to correctly dig the hole for the roses. Dig a hole 2' x 2' for most roses and 1' x 1' for miniatures.

You will find both bare-root roses and container-grown roses in the nurseries. Container roses can be planted at any time during the growing season in the hole described above. However, bare-root roses should be planted in the spring before leaves appear. Bare-root roses will need to be soaked in water for 8-12 hours before planting. Make a cone-shaped mound of soil in the center of the planting hole to support the bare-root plant. For both types of plants, carefully place the new rose in the hole and fill with a mixture of soil and water. Continue to add soil as the water drains until the original soil level is achieved. At this point, due to settling, the bud union of the bush should be 1-2 inches below the soil level. Additional protection can be achieved by mounding 8-10 inches of soil around the base of the plant. This will help your new plant maintain moisture. Carefully remove this temporary mound after 2-3 weeks.

Now the fun begins! It is time to choose your roses. Roses are graded #1, #1 1/2 or #2 indicating their size and quality. Try to purchase #1 roses as their cane and root structure are more developed and should produce a healthier plant. There is a wide variety of colors and types of roses available. Your choice of plants will be controlled by the conditions that exist in your own yard. Some experimentation may be necessary to determine which roses can be successfully grown in your garden environment.

There are many options just in the area of hardy roses which are well suited to our northern climate. Especially successful in this area is a collection of roses from Canada called the Northern Explorer Rose Series. Developed in Canada by crossing hardy roses with rugosa roses, they have managed to achieve winter hardiness, disease resistance, repeat bloom and easy maintenance. You will find these roses for sale in both shrub and climbing varieties. Another series of hardy roses are the Griffith Buck Roses hybridized in Iowa for survival in cold temperatures. These roses have received world-wide recognition for their hardiness, appearance, disease resistance and low maintenance characteristics. The Buck Rose Series has nearly one hundred varieties . Both the Northern Explorer Rose Series and the Buck Rose Series can be viewed on the internet by typing in those names. Here you will be able to view plant variety lists, photos and culture information to help you with your selection process. Local nurseries should be able to direct you to these and other hardy roses. Rose catalogs are another good source of pictures and culture information.

Roses, like people and animals, need food and water to survive. Consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season is necessary. Roses need 1" of water per week. Fertilize roses with a general-purpose fertilizer such as 10-10-10 in the spring, in mid June and mid July. No fertilizer should be applied after August 15th. Each rose should receive 1/2 cup to 1 cup per plant applied at least 6" from the base of the plant.

Roses are without a doubt one of the most beautiful flowers that we can grow in our gardens. With careful planting, selection and nurturing, anyone can successfully grow this much loved plant and enjoy it for years to come.

If you have questions or comments about this article, home gardening or about the Master Gardener program, please call the Master Gardeners c/o University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County office at 815-758-8194 or email prescott@uiuc.edu .