So, you want to Grow Roses? Follow a few basic practices and start out with the right rose in the right spot and a healthy rose bush should last 25 to 30 years. Seeking advice from a master rosarian* is the best way to learn. See the American Rose Society www.ars.org.

1. 1.Select the Correct Rose. Choose roses that will thrive in your climate and suit the level of care you can give it. Buy your plants from a superior rose grower.
   

2. 2.Prepare Soil. Soil should be friable, well drained and rich in organic materials. Test the soil pH. Roses thrive with pH 6.0 to 6.8, slightly acidic. Amend the soil with lime 3 months prior to planting if necessary.
   

3. 3.Plant it Correctly. In New England this means that the bud union on a grafted rose must be 3 -4 inches below ground. The planting hole should be twice as deep and wide as the pot. Place a small amount of triple super phosphate in planting hole.

   

   
   

4. 4.Proper Placement. Roses need at least 5 hours of sun a day. Space bushes 24-27 inches apart. Consider growth habit, bloom cycle, color and height when planning garden.
   

5. 5.Water. Roses need 1-2 inches of water per week during growing season. Water early morning (7-8 am), avoiding getting foliage wet as much as possible.
   

6. 6.Fertilize. Use a balanced general purpose dry fertilizer, 10-10-10, 1/2 cup per bush, once a month during growing season. Epsom Salts applied at the rate of 1/2 cup per bush three times during the growing season stimulates the formation of new canes. Additional bloom boosting can be achieved with application of liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer once a month, in between the dry fertilizer applications.
   

7. 7.Pruning and Dead Heading. A major pruning occurs in the spring, just as the bushes are coming back to life. This involves the four D’s of pruning. Dead, Damaged, Diseased and Design. All dead damaged and diseased canes are removed as well as crossing canes or others causing congestion. Remaining canes are cut down to a height of about 12” with an eye towards shaping a well ventilated, strong, vase-shaped bush. In contrast, through out the growing season pruning occurs as part of the process of removing dead blooms. Deadheading and continued pruning stimulates new blooms and controls the direction of new growth.

   

   
   

8. 8. Mulch. Control weeds and maintain moisture by mulching beds with at least 3 inches of organic matter mulch, such as bark mulch (not chips, it needs to be more finally chopped.
   

9. 9. Winterizing. Cut off the top 1/3 of the canes. If possible gently tie canes together. Mound 18” of compost on top of the crown of the bush.
   

10. 10. Pest and Disease Control. Remedies vary based on particulars of condition and the stage of the disease or infestation. The most important point is prevention. A healthy, well ventilated, dry leaved plant is able to withstand assaults and will not be affected. Simple preventative sprays done on a regular basis are far more effective than waiting until dire circumstances cause a massive counter attack and fight to the death.
    

* The Friends of the Minot Rose Garden wish to express our gratitude to Master Rosarian David Cannistraro of Stow, MA for his many hours of instruction and continuing support and advice.

Additional Resources:

Books:

Sunset Roses, by Hazel White and the Editors of Sunset Books, Menlo Park, CA

Roses, The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening by James Underwood Crockett

David Austin’s English Roses by David Austin, Little Brown

Websites:

http://www.ars.org  The American Rose Society, Archive of articles, selection handbook, list of consulting rosarians, etc.

http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest University of Massachusetts Soil Testing

http://www.rose.org The All American Rose Selections website.

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose Devoted to selecting, buying, caring for and exhibiting roses.

http://www.brooklineroses.blogspot.com A compendium of photos and information about Old Brookline Roses. Contribute photos, find out if others have the same old rose that you do.