A guide for growing roses.

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Although roses seem to be a demanding flower to grow, they arent impossible. It has a lot to do with the kind of roses you choose to begin with. For one thing, when you buy your roses, be sure that you will want to take the time required to care for them.

If you dont want to protect the roses in the winter, you can buy a type that will weather well but you will also be limiting yourself to the choices you will have.

Depending on what you will be doing with the roses you plant: IE: will you be using them for floral arrangements? If so you will need to plant the hybrid tea roses.

If you want a lot of color in your yard, plant the floribunda type roses.

Planting the rose bush: First of all, this depends on the climate. If you live where the winters are mild, you can plant "bare root" rose bushes all winter long. If the temperature in your area is 0 degrees or above you can plant them in the late fall or early spring.

Potted roses can be planted anytime. As long as you can dig the hole, these will be good to go.

Before planting "bare root" roses, soak them in water for several hours before planting. Dig the hole twice the size as the roots, then for a "mound" in the bottom of the hole to set the plant on, prune away any dead or broken roots before planting. Then set the plant so the roots spread over the "mound" of dirt.

Begin adding soil around the roots, only gently firm up the soil with our hands. Water the new plant thoroughly to settle the soil and to water the root area well.

When planting roses, make sure they dont have to "compete" with any trees or other plants. Make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunshine every day.

Be sure there is proper drainage so that root rot does not occur. Water the rose from the bottom with a soaker hose, rather from the top with the sprinkler type hose.

Fertilize regularly with a specialized rose fertilizer as these plants require regular fertilization.

Use a regular " dusting" program to prevent black spot, powdery mildew and other diseases that can really harm your roses.

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I don't know what it is about roses but I am really good at growing them. I know people who cannot get a rose bush to grow to save their souls and I have several and have never had a problem. I would think it is the soil I have here at my home but I have been lucky at other places I have lived as well. I never do anything special, I just dig a hole, drop it in, cover the roots and water. Thats it. They always grow so nice and have beautiful fragrant roses.