As mentioned on Page 1, pruning is one of the trickier operations for gardeners new to rose bush growing. About's Gardening Guide provides excellent information on pruning rose bushes. The proper tool for pruning rose bushes is a set of bypass pruners, not anvil pruners (the latter can crush the rose bush's stem). Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of proper rose bush pruning is clarified by the American Rose Society as follows:
"Since rose bushes like to send out a strong lateral cane at the node just below a pruning cut, try to make pruning cuts about 1/4 inch above an "outward" facing leaf bud. By doing this and removing plant material from the center of the bush you will create a more open vase-shaped plant less susceptible to disease."
The principle behind deadheading roses is the same as it is for any other plant. Removing spent blooms from rose bushes is a way of channeling plant energy into areas where it is needed more.
Plant Information for Selecting Rose Bushes
The American Rose Society has an evolving classification system for rose bushes, but David Austin's schema Roses for Specific Purposes/Positions is more useful for the beginner. Consult Austin's schema to decide which type of rose bush best suits your needs.
Hybrid tea rose bushes are the most popular, because they put out a big rose on a straight stem. Polyanthas produce dense clusters of small flowers on a dwarf rose bush. Floribunda rose bushes are a cross between the hybrid teas and the polyanthas. Grandifloras produce large rose clusters on long stems. Other options for rose bush growers include miniatures, climbers, tree roses and old-time varieties.
Preparing Rose Bush Beds
Soil in rose beds should be conditioned properly to a depth of 3', as outlined in the following steps provided by Hometime.com:
- Remove about 1 1/2' of soil in depth.
- Spread a layer of organic amendment about 3" thick over the bottom of the hole.
- Dig down into the soil another 1 1/2' and turn that over, mixing in the organic amendment.
- Shovel the first foot of soil back into the bed and spread another 3" layer of amendments over that.
- Optional: Add bone meal, which promotes root growth. You can also use fertilizers designed specifically for roses.
- Till the bed with a rototiller to mix the layers together.
- Now you can dig the hole in which your rose bush will sit. Make it approximately 2' x 2' x 2'. What about that extra foot in depth that you've already prepared for? That's for drainage. For further planting instructions, see below.
Planting Bare Root Rose Bushes
You can buy the more expensive container-grown rose bushes and plant them in the ground, but why would you want to? Bare root planting is safe for the plants and economical for you. The most difficult chore in the planting may well be the initial pruning that you have to do. The height of the canes should be reduced to 6"- 8". It will probably seem a shame to be hacking down the canes this way before the rose bush has even had a chance to grow. But it's a necessary step: the root system is too meager at this point to support much growth above ground. Trim off damaged roots, too, since they'll only invite disease. For a detailed article on planting bare root rose bushes, see Mark Whitelaw's Planting Bare Root Rose Bushes. I will restrict myself here merely to emphasizing the importance of one trick of the trade, the reason behind which may not be immediately obvious.
Novices to rose bush growing are informed to follow bed preparation with digging a hole and mounding up a cone of soil within that hole (see the illustration at the top of this page). You may wonder what purpose such a cone serves. Draping the young roots over this cone is meant to give them some direction in life. Being young and foolish, if not shown the proper direction to take, they may wander aimlessly. Roots need to be encouraged to grow down, deep. The cone guides them down just this path. Shallow root growth is to be discouraged, because such roots are exposed to summer heat and winter cold -- neither of which is good for them. By encouraging deep root penetration right at the outset, you're taking a major step towards successful rose bush growing.
If your loved ones are plant-lovers, consider buying them rose bushes (something they can plant outside later) for Valentine's Day, rather than cut roses. Miniature rose bushes are often available at the local florist shop; once Valentine's Day arrives, spring (and spring planting!) can't be far behind. Here's another gift idea for Valentine's Day: a gift certificate for other plants with fragrant flowers. And for an early taste of spring, why not force some forsythia and use it to decorate your Valentine's Day table?
