Properly Space Roses: How Far Apart Should Rose Bushes be Planted?
When planning your rose garden, or any garden at all, it is important to plan for the amount of space the rose will need, not the amount of space it currently occupies. We all want our roses to grow large and to be abundant in blooms. To do this, roses need the right amount of space to allow for proper airflow and to prevent diseases. It is also important to note that growth habits vary depending on the zone of your garden.
When you’ve chosen the new rose you love and need, determine its classification and refer to the chart below to decide the appropriate spacing your rose needs to best thrive.
Classification: Hybrid Tea & Grandiflora
Description: Elegant blooms on long, straight stems. Ideal for cutting
Amount of Space Needed: 30” – 36” apart
Coverage (per plant): 6 – 10 sq. ft.
Classification: Floribunda
Description: Clusters of blooms on a shorter, bushier plant
Amount of Space Needed: 24" –30” apart
Coverage (per plant): 4 – 6 sq. ft.
Classification: English Roses
Description: Double blooms having a wonderful fragrance and old rose look
Amount of Space Needed: 36” apart
Coverage (per plant): 10 sq. ft.
Classification: Climber
Description: Large 4-6” blooms on stiff canes; use on trellises or arbors
Amount of Space Needed: 4' – 5’ apart
Classification: Hedge
Description: Decorative or practical fencing, can screen too
Amount of Space Needed: 24” apart
Classification: Shrub
Description: A diverse group of plants with a wide range of sizes
Amount of Space Needed (Large Shrub): 30–36”
Amount of Space Needed (Small Shrub): 24–30”
Coverage (per plant) (Large Shrub): 6 – 10 sq. ft.
Coverage (per plant)(Small Shrub): 4-6 sq. ft.
Classification: Miniature
Description: Large 4-6” blooms on stiff canes; use on trellises or arbors
Amount of Space Needed: 12” – 18” apart
Classification: Ramblers
Description: Height can range from 12’ – 50’. Space according to the structure they will be grown on
Amount of Space Needed: Broad range