Roses are esteemed by a great number of people for being the true jewels os the garden; and as such, the growing of roses is the goal of many a gardener. By the same token, however, many assume that because these plants are so beautiful and majestic they must be difficult to cultivate. In actuality, roses are no more troublesome than any other garden flower, and they can flourish if the proper steps are taken and they are given a measure of gentle care.
The most popular and well-known roses are the hybrid teas, with their long stems and spiral center to the flower. Some gardeners attest that floribundas produce a richer and stronger perfume, however. These kinds of roses bloom from June until the onset of a hard frost. Shrub roses are probably the most hardy variety: they can endure cold winters, and are very resistant to disease. Mini roses are truly a marvel. They exhibit many of the characteristics of other roses but on a much smaller scale. All and all, there are hundreds of varieties of roses available at any given time. Only a handful of these, however, will be ideally suited for the particular climate your experience and the type of soil you have. For this reason, it’s a good idea to research of inquire at a nursery about the most suitable roses for your area before you begin trying to grow them.
Your first consideration in choosing your planting site should be the available sunlight. Roses require anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of sunlight daily, though some shrubs and climbers are able to thrive in more shaded areas. You will also want to plant your roses in well-drained soil. Though they need to be well watered, constant moisture can cause root rot or even drown them. If you can’t find a good natural area of your landscape, you might consider planting in a raised bed or mix some small stones into your planting holes to help with drainage.
