Growing Roses

Roses should be watered regularly through the summer every few days if there have been no heavy rains. They should be watered at ground level and not by overhead sprinklers. Avoid wetting the leaves as this promotes disease. Early morning is the best time to water. Late evening watering also promotes disease.

Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Austin and Grandifloras should be mounded up with soil (20-30 cm) above ground level just before freeze-up. It is important that the mounding not be done until just a few days before the ground freezes solid. The mounds must also be packed all around with the heel of the shoe. Loose soil offers little protection. The addition of leaves or straw and evergreen boughs on top of the soil mound after the ground is frozen is also beneficial. Climbers may be taken down and covered with evergreen boughs or left on the wall and shielded with burlap. Rose ‘standards’ must receive special winter protection. Loosen the roots from the soil and lay the entire standard down parallel with the ground, and cover with soil. If it is impossible to bury the standard where it is growing, it will be necessary to dig and move it to a more open location in the garden where the standard may be buried without interfering with other plants. In either case, great care must be taken to avoid damage to any part of the stem. Rose standards can also be grown in large planters provided they can be stored in a cool room or garage through the winter where the temperature stays just above freezing.