There is nothing as beautiful and diabolical as the simple rose. Rose bushes have been the mainstay of a lovely garden from time immemorial, but there is a reason why only seasoned gardeners often approach them with confidence. Difficult to prune and sometimes difficult to grow, roses require some patience and understanding. Here is what you need to know about selecting, growing and caring for your roses.
Choosing Your Roses
Heady blooms, deep green leaves and thorns, thorns, thorns. There are a lot of characteristics shared among many rose varieties. Of course, there are also thornless roses, for those who want their gardening to involve a little less danger. When choosing rose bushes, there are a few major factors to consider: the appearance of the blossoms, the colour of the flowers, the hardiness of the plant, and its general growth.
Here are some of the most popular rose varieties:
- Bonica. Are you tired of your roses dying? Consider the Bonica. Bonica is one of the "indestructible" breeds of rose, and it is still quite pleasant to look at with its heavy, extravagant petals. Bonica can be planted in full sun or partial shade.
- Honey Perfume. If you want to wake up and smell the roses, you want Honey Perfume. A highly fragrant rose, the Honey Perfume does not grow very tall, but it throws a lot of scent. It has clusters of dense flowers that are extremely showy.
- Orchid Romance. So named for its pale pink, orchid-like colour, Orchid Romance is a relatively low-maintenance rose species. It has beautiful blossoms with small, complex flowers and a scent that recalls citrus. This double rose will have large, noticeable blossoms that make great additions to a vase.
- Knock Out. Red, pink and yellow flowers are available in the Knock Out variety. Knock Out is one of the lowest-maintenance varieties of rose, though it does not throw a lot of scent. If you love the beauty of roses but have allergies, the Knock Out might be best.
- Madame Isaac Pereire. Choose the Madame if you want a heavy, romantic French rose. The Madame is a true rose that thrives in bright sun and provides excellent fragrance throughout.
- Mister Lincoln. Small, deep red flowers make this tea rose hybrid a great choice for those who want to assemble their own homemade bouquets. This deep red rose has excellent colour and scent.
- Mother of Pearl. A classic shrub rose, the Mother of Pearl produces large, white flowers that are quintessential "roses." It lives up to its name with its beautiful peach interior that turns into a deep, lovely cream.
- New Dawn. A climbing rose, New Dawn comes with delicate-looking, full blooms. It is one of the hardiest climbing roses available and can grow in many environments.
- Rainbow's End. A miniature, sun-loving rose that grows only 30 to 60 centimetres tall, Rainbow's End is a beautiful choice for container gardens. Its flowers are a warm golden inside with bright red edging.
- Zephirine Drouhin. A thornless variety with delicate blossoms, the Zephirine is perfect for painless gardening. These roses will grow in full sun or partial shade and are a fairly resilient climbing variety, though they are not suited to a hedge.
Depending on where you live in Australia, you may see vastly different varieties at your local nursery. Ask questions about the hardiness of the varieties and any differences in their care before you buy.
Planting Your Roses
Planting roses is much like planting any other bush or shrub. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and a few centimetres deeper. Place the root ball into the hole, spread the roots and then backfill with high-quality soil and a small amount of quality rose fertiliser. Water frequently while the plant is establishing itself. A quality soil amendment worked into the backfill will improve drainage and give young roots a strong start.
You may also need to install garden stakes to keep your roses standing upright, especially standard roses. Drive one to three wooden stakes approximately the same height as the plant into the ground, then use a webbing plant tie to support the plant. This is especially important in windy areas.
Pruning Your Roses
Roses tend to have a bad reputation because many varieties require near-constant pruning to remain healthy. Luckily, modern roses do not actually need as much pruning as older varieties, though they still do need some.
It can be quite intimidating pruning roses for the first time, but fear not. It is much easier than you might think. Roses are usually very forgiving, and if you make a few mistakes they will grow back 90% of the time. With this guide and a little practice, you will become a pro in no time at all.
When to Prune Roses
When you prune your roses depends on your location. Typically, you would prune from 1 June to 10 July, but it really depends on when you expect the last frost of the season. In a warmer climate you can prune as early as June, but in a colder climate it is safer to wait until early July. Take into account the actual position of the rose plant too, as it may be susceptible to early morning frost depending on where it sits in the garden. Your local nursery can advise on the ideal pruning time for your area, but it is generally when you would expect your last frost to occur.
If you have a variety such as a Banksia rose, do not prune in June or July. These varieties should be pruned once flowering has stopped, which is typically late spring or early summer.
Deadheading Roses
During summer, dead flowers can be cut back to promote new flowers during the growing season. This technique is called deadheading.
To deadhead your rose, identify a dead flower on the bush. From the top of the dead flower, travel down the stem until you find a five-leaf junction. Make a 45-degree cut on the stem just above the first five-leaf junction, angling the cut away from the junction as you would when cutting above an outward-facing bud. Leave the remaining leaves on the stem. This will promote new growth from the junction and new flowers will form.
Deadheading your roses leads to a healthier shrub and a more attractive appearance. During autumn, the roses can be gently cut back if required.
How to Prune Roses, Step by Step
Pruning is the process of removing dead or damaged parts from the plant and preparing it to grow again. When you prune, you are controlling the way the plant will grow. With roses, this is particularly important. Pruning is an art, and it really depends on how you want your plant to grow.
Step 1: Remove One Third to Two Thirds of the Growth from the Top
To start, remove the top portion of the plant so you can begin the actual pruning. This allows easy access to remove unwanted canes, crossing branches and deadwood.
Step 2: Identify the Large Healthy Canes You Would Like to Keep
The reason we prune roses is not only to promote healthy new growth but also to maintain a strong structure to support the weight of the roses when in full bloom. It also stops the plant from getting out of control. If the canes were left to keep growing unchecked, they would eventually snap, which invites disease and pests into the plant.
During this phase, identify three to five strong canes (also known as framework branches) coming from the base of the plant. These canes should be healthy, green and thicker than a pencil. Try to choose canes that are evenly spaced around the base of the plant, as this minimises crossing branches and promotes good weight distribution throughout the growing season.
By choosing your main canes now and identifying the canes you would like to remove, you will save a lot of time and avoid accidentally over-pruning branches you intended to keep.
Once you have identified which canes to keep, take a pair of sharp loppers or secateurs and cut the unwanted canes at the base of the plant. Once you have removed those canes, remove any dead or dying wood and crossing branches. This assists in minimising damage and the spread of disease. Remove any suckers at the base of the rose plant as well.
Step 3: Prune Your Main Canes
Now that you have removed the bulk of the plant, you can focus on pruning the main canes. Approximately 20 cm from the base of the main canes, find an outward-facing bud node. This is where the new growth will come from. The reason for finding an outward-facing bud is to focus new growth outwards, away from the centre of the plant. This helps with air circulation and minimises crossing branches during the growing season.
Before making the final cuts on your main canes, take into consideration any gaps that may need to be filled to maximise future main canes or to assist with weight distribution.
Now make the final cuts. Approximately 2 to 5 cm above your outward-facing bud, make a 45-degree cut away from the bud. The reason for this angle is so water does not sit on top of the cut, which can lead to cane rot. It also directs any water away from the bud. Remove any remaining deadwood or leaves from the rose plant as you go.
To remove the remaining leaves, pinch the leaves where they meet the cane and slowly pull away and down from the cane. Apply more pressure away from the cane than downward pressure. This ensures you do not peel the outer layer of the cane away when you pull down, which can damage the cane.
Step 4: Fertilise and Mulch Your Roses
Once all pruning is complete and the waste has been removed, apply an organic rose fertiliser to the base of your plant. Finish off by applying mulch. Create a small well or bowl around the base of the plant, ensuring not to mound the mulch up against the cane. Placing mulch too close to the base can cause cane rot. You can use an organic mulch or a sugar cane mulch. A quality soil amendment can also be dug in around the base at this stage to improve the growing environment for next season.
And that is it. You have pruned your roses.
Caring for Your Roses
Roses need pruning, frequent watering and fertiliser. You should fertilise your roses every two to three weeks during their growing season, and stop fertilising about two months before you usually get a frost. Proper fertilisation is important for fast-growing, healthy roses and thick, beautiful blossoms.
Roses should be watered every two or three days when they have first been planted, and once a week after that. When roses are in bloom, notice whether the flowers are wilting. If they begin to wilt, it is time to water again. Roses can be overwatered, so pay attention to the amount of moisture in the soil.
Common Issues With Roses
Black Spot
Black spots on your leaves mean a fungus has likely started to grow across your rose plant. Remove any affected areas of the bush and treat the rest with a fungicide. Black spot is a critical issue and can spread quickly.
Rosy Rosette Disease
This is an untreatable disease in roses, typified by red growth, thicker stems and more thorns. When this disease takes hold, affected plants need to be removed. Wild plants often carry this disease, so remove any wild-growing plants close to your roses.
Rose Mosaic Disease
Yellow, wavy lines on rose leaves may indicate Rose Mosaic disease. This disease often causes infected plants to weaken, and affected plants need to be disposed of.
Rose Rust
Orange spots on leaves are due to rust. Like black spot, this is a fungal disease. There are fungus-resistant varieties of rose, but once rust has struck, your only recourse is to manually remove each affected leaf. Improve air circulation around the plant if fungus continues to grow.
Stem Canker
Stem canker appears as brown spots that spread across the stems of your roses and eventually cause them to die back. Canker occurs when the plant is generally unhealthy, so manage black spot and other ailments promptly.
There is a reason roses are such a mainstay of any garden. They are attractive and fragrant, and they do not have to be difficult to care for. They may be a little more demanding than many other shrubs and plants, but they can also be low maintenance if you choose the right variety. Consider which rose you get carefully and you will be able to find the right one for you.
Ready to give your roses the support they need? Browse our plant support and protection range for stakes, ties and everything else to keep your roses growing beautifully.
