Promise Yourself A Rose Garden

It's Easy And It's Fun

From Your Home & Garden Showplace

Here's a romantic gift for you or your special someone that keeps on giving and shows supreme effort on your part. Plant these versatile and carefree beauties now and enjoy them year after year.

Choose from many varieties of hardy shrub roses we carry, each of which is uniquely spectacular. You can consider starting with sure-fire varieties such as Morden Belle (pink), Morden Sunrise (yellow/peach bicolour) or Morden Blush (ivory) from the Parkland series, Alexander McKenzie (red) or Henry Hudson (white) from the Explorer series, and Emily Carr (red) or Felix Leclerc (hot pink) from the new Canadian Artists series of roses.

1. Select a planting site.

Roses need their own space without competition from trees, shrubs or other permanent plants. Choose a well-drained location (either level or sloping) that gets 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. A southern exposure is ideal. The site should also have good air circulation and provide some winter protection. Allow enough room between plants; generally 3-5 feet is adequate.

(Landscape tip - When planting in groups or large masses, use an odd number of plants such as 3, 5 or 7. If planting in rows, stagger the bushes to give a softer effect.)

2. Prepare the soil.

Consult your Schriemer's expert if you need some advice. Roses prefer a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. To prepare the site for planting, remove soil from an area 18 to 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Add ample organic matter to the soil you've removed, and mix in some bonemeal to get the roots off to a healthy start.

3. Plant the roses.

Roses are available as container-grown or bare root plants. Although most are properly pruned and ready for planting, you may need to prune their tops, leaving 8 to 12 inches. Also, remove any dead or damaged wood. (If necessary, clip root tips back about 1/2 to 1 inch to promote rapid growth.) Container-grown plants should be planted at the same level as they were growing in the pot; no shallower and no deeper. After planting, build a protective mound of earth or mulch around stems to prevent damage from cold and wind.

4. Fertilize your new roses.

After planting, water fertilizer in well with a root stimulator. Make another application in two weeks. This will increase root hairs and reduce any transplant shock, particularly on bare root transplants. Once growth begins, remove the protective mound from around plants and feed them monthly with either an organic fertilizer such as composted manure or a general-purpose rose food.

5. Mulch your new planting.

After the first feeding, apply a 3 to 6-inch layer of mulch around the base of the roses. This will help retain moisture, moderate the soil temperature in both summer and winter, prevent weeds and add organic matter to the soil over time. As winter approaches, add more mulch, mounding some around the base of the plant to further protect the crown.

6. Water regularly.

Newly planted roses must be watered frequently during their first 3 to 4 weeks, whenever the soil is dry in the top 2 inches. Once established, soak the planting area every 7 to 10 days during dry spells. Keep water off the leaves by using a bubbler or soaker system, and always water in the morning. Watering at night creates moist conditions that promote the spread of disease.

Now that you know how to grow them, you'll want to decide which ones to grow. Click here to find the roses that are perfect for your garden!