Our gardening friend Brooke (@whatbrookegrows) just completed her first year growing roses in Austin, Texas (Zone 9). A little over a year ago, she reached out to our customer care team for help recreating her grandfather’s rose garden from a few old photos. One year later, she’s planted over 20 varieties.
5 Lessons from a New Rose Grower
We asked Brooke to share her top five lessons from her first year growing roses. Here are her tips for success:
1. Worry less. Roses are way more sturdy than people think; my roses thrived last year when I was very pregnant and didn't have the time or energy to fuss over any of my plants. They actually did great with that level of neglect.
2. Watch the area you want to plant in. Pay attention to the sun, water drainage, wind, all of it. Once you understand the conditions, picking the right rose is as easy as using the filters on the website. Even with different conditions, there are still a ton of options. Setting yourself up for success by observing your space first helps more than people expect.
3. Trust the process. The saying “first year they sleep” is SO accurate. In a world of instant gratification, the first year can feel slow, but years two and three make it so worth it. I’m in the “second year they creep” stage now, and I can’t believe how much new growth I’m seeing. Next comes “third year they leap,” and I’m so excited.
4. Good, better, best. Don't let the best stop you from the good. I’ve planted roses “perfectly,” following all the best practices, and I’ve also just dug a hole and put them in the ground. That second group may need more attention later, but with a busy life, sometimes you just need to get the rose planted and figure out the rest later. Roses have thrived for centuries in all kinds of conditions. It will be okay.
5. Talk to the locals. There’s no better advice than from fellow gardeners in your area, not just your zone, but your specific location. I love chatting with employees and customers at my local garden center, and at garden events, to learn from their experience. For example, here in Central Texas, there’s a plant called Society Garlic that helps repel thrips when planted around roses. I’m adding that into my pest management this year, along with beneficial insects and organic sprays if needed.
Brooke’s Rose Garden
From classic, cupped blooms to multi-colored stripes, Brooke grows over 20 varieties of roses. These are a few of her favorites:
Shop Brooke's entire own-root rose selection here.