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Introduction To Roses
Welcome to the world of roses. These “Queen of the Flowers” pack the sentimental feelings, exquisite beauty, and lofty scent into one sweet bloom. They can become an obsession. We should know.
But before you jump headfirst into creating your own rose garden, it’s a good idea to learn a bit about the plant first. How much you want to learn is up to you! We’re just here to guide you through the planning and care of your Heirloom Roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roses are very forgiving and hardy plants, perfect for any new gardener and cherished by master gardeners alike.
Roses have just a few simple needs:
- Full sun, at least 6 hrs/day for most
- Average garden soil
- Annual rainfall, supplemented in summer with about 1 in/water per week
- Good drainage
- Fertilizer during the growing season
That’s it. If you have sun, space, and a watering hose ... you can do this!
Yes! Roses love the company of other garden companions. Lavender, pansies, foxglove, delphiniums, catmint, and poppies are just a few that can be grown with roses. Try to avoid bulbs that have to be removed or replanted each year.
Yes! Roses love to eat. Our Founder's Fish Fertilizer is one of our top recommended products for beginner-experienced gardeners alike due to it's rich mineral content and ability to supercharge a rose's health.
If you plant your rose in the fall, wait until spring to begin fertilizing. If you plant in the spring or summer, begin fertilizing about one month after planting and continue every 4-6 weeks. Make sure your last fertilizer application is 6-8 weeks before the first fall frost so that the roses may harden off for winter in preparation for dormancy. In the second year, you may continue to use a liquid fish fertilizer at full strength or begin to use a granular fertilizer like Heirloom Boost and Bloom per instructions. In the third year, you can use granular fertilizer and use all fertilizers at full strength.
Yes! This is a great solution for gardening in a small space, on a patio or balcony, or for gardeners with mobility issues. Most roses, except for large Climbers and Ramblers, can be grown successfully in containers. We suggest using a 10- to 15-gallon pot which will provide a nice home for any rose. Make sure your pot has holes in the bottom for drainage then place an inch or so of gravel in the bottom of the pot. You want to plant in 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 peat moss or other organic materials, and 1/3 Perlite. Start fertilizing roses once a month with a water-soluble type of fertilizer the first season. Water regularly and deeply, as containers will dry out faster than roses planted in the ground. Do not use a black pot as it attracts heat and will be too hot for the roots.
How Do I Plant a Rose Bush?
Click here to download and print your copy of Heirloom Roses Planting Instructions.
PICK THE LOCATION
- Find a spot with at least 6 hours of sun per day and good drainage.
- Be sure your location is at least 3-4 feet away from other plants. Large shrubs or ramblers need about 6-8 feet of space.
PLANT
- Remove rose from container. Use soil mix from step 2 to plant rose in the center of the hole about 1” deeper that the soil line in the pot. DO NOT use granular fertilizer the first year as it may burn the roots and kill the rose
- If planting in a pot, be sure your selected rose is suitable for it first.
PREPARE
- Dig a hole that is at least 24” wide and 24” deep.
- Remove the soil from the hole and mix with organic potting soil that DOES NOT contain granular fertilizer. Amend with peat moss, Heirloom Roses Aged Cow Manure and bone meal per package instructions.
PROVIDE
- Roses love water, but hate wet feet. Give them at least 1”-2” or the depth of a tuna can of water per week throughout the growing season.
- Newly planted roses should be watered 2-3 times per week until established. Water at the base, not overhead to discourage potential disease.
