1. Every Journey Begins with a Dream

You’ve fallen in love with roses—their romance, perfume, and timeless beauty. But starting your first rose garden can sometimes feel overwhelming: Which variety? What care do they need? You want a garden you’ll be proud of, without second-guessing every decision.

2. We Understand Your Challenge

At Heirloom Roses, we’ve guided thousands of beginners just like you. We know your concerns:

• Sunlight questions: “Will my yard get enough light?”
  
  

• Soil worries: “Is my soil good enough—or do I need a soil test?”
  
  

• Plant selection: “Which rose will give me beautiful, fragrant flowers and will thrive in  my climate?”
  
  

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

3. Here’s Our Simple 3-Step Plan

Step 1: Get the Basics Right

What roses need

1. The Right Hardiness Zone: This is the gardening zone assigned to your geographical area. Don’t know it? Don’t worry. Click here to find your hardiness zone. This information will help you choose the right rose.

2. Sun: Roses need at least 6 hours of direct light daily. Any shade tolerant varieties can handle a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight.
   
   

3. Water: Just 1″ per week (your rainfall counts too!) In dry months, water a bit more if the soil feels dry).
   
   

4. Nutrition: A balanced fertilizer during warm months. Use liquid fertilizer on young roses and granular fertilizer on older roses.
   
   

With sun, soil, and water in place, you’ve already won half the battle.

Step 2: Choose Your Perfect Rose

Your garden, your vision—your rose should reflect what matters most to you. With over 900 varieties at your fingertips, start by thinking about:

• Color & Style: A soft pink shrub for romantic beds or a vibrant yellow climber for vertical impact?
  
  

• Fragrance: Do you crave heady old rose perfume or a lighter, citrus scent? Maybe something spicy?
  
  

• Bloom Habit: Repeat-flowering for constant color or a spectacular once-blooming flush?
  
  

• Growth Form: Compact and container-friendly, something to line a pathway,  or trained upward on a trellis?
  
  

Need a shortcut?
Take our quick “Find Your Perfect Rose” quiz 👉 here and we’ll match you with roses just for you—no guesswork required.

Once you’ve got your results, explore each recommended rose’s profile to see photos, fragrance notes, and care tips—then add your favorites to your cart and watch your dream garden unfold.

Step 3: Planting & Care

1. Planting: Dig a hole 2 feet deep, mix in compost, and set your rose at soil level.
   
   

2. Watering & Feeding: Water deeply at the base; apply fertilizer every 4–6 weeks.
   
   

3. Pruning & Deadheading: Cut spent blooms to encourage new flowers. In late winter, prune for shape and air circulation.
   
   

Every action you take brings you closer to blooms you’ll admire all season. 

4. Quick-Start Guide to Rose Types

Whether you’ve decided on a climber or a compact shrub, here’s a fast look at some of our most-loved rose families—so you can spot the perfect fit for your garden at a glance:

• David Austin Roses
  • English-style blooms with rich fragrance and repeat-flowering habit
  • Ideal for mixed borders or as centerpiece shrubs
  
  

• Floribundas
  • Compact, bushy plants that deliver clusters of color all summer
  • Great for edging beds, containers, or mass plantings
  
  

• Hybrid Teas
  • Tall, elegant canes topped with classic long-stemmed flowers
  • Perfect choice if you love to cut fresh bouquets
  
  

• Grandifloras
  • The best of both Hybrid Teas and Floribundas: tall, prolific, and showy
  • Suited for back-of-border planting or dedicated rose beds
  
  

• Shrub Roses
  • Tough, low-maintenance varieties bred for disease resistance
  • Versatile spacers in mixed gardens or foundation plantings
  
  

• Rugosa Roses
  • Exceptionally hardy, with fragrant blooms and bright hips for wildlife
  • Superb in coastal sites or cold-climate gardens
  
  

Still unsure which type will thrive in your space?
If you haven’t already, take our “Find Your Perfect Rose” quiz 👉 here to get a personalized shortlist of varieties tailored to your light, space, and style.

You’ve Got This—We’re Here to Help

Every rose gardener started with one rose. Take that first step today, and let Heirloom Roses guide you to a garden overflowing with beauty, scent, and satisfaction.

Ready to choose your first rose? Visit our "All Roses" collection and filter by your top needs—then watch your dream garden come to life.