Caring for Roses
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Types of roses
With a little bit of imagination, there’s no end to how you can use roses in the landscape! Roses come in a tremendous variety of sizes, colors, and types. Let’s talk a little bit about the different types of roses.
Hybrid Teas
Hybrid Teas are by far the most popular type of rose bush. They grow fairly tall and feature large, well-formed blooms, and long stems. These are the traditional “cutting rose.” You can feature one unique Hybrid Tea in the garden or use them in a mixed bed of roses.
Grandifloras
Grandifloras are similar in height and form to Hybrid Teas, but the blooms form clusters on shorter stems. They create a mass of color in the garden and look great in a bed or border.
Floribundas
Floribundas are the second largest class of roses. They are lower growing than Hybrid Teas, but bloom heavily, producing large clusters of flowers from June until the first frost. They are great as a massed bed of color or used as a border.
English Roses
English roses are crosses between old and modern roses. The most famous were popularized by David Austin. They have a beautiful old-fashioned form and a very rich fragrance. They are quite vigorous — any rose which has survived centuries as a species must be! These roses are beautiful in informal gardens, especially the “cottage garden” look.
Climbers
Climbing roses are vigorous and easy to grow. They bloom heavily for years and years. They need a fence, trellis, or some other kind of support.
Rosa Rugosas
Rosa rugosas are hardy and vigorous. They thrive under conditions which other roses cannot tolerate. They are informal and look best in a country garden or in a mixed perennial garden.
Ground Covers
A new introduction, ground cover roses spread out rather than grow high. They are ideal for slopes and rocky areas and are quite hardy and disease resistant.
Miniature Roses
Miniature roses are petite 2-3' roses, covered with perfectly formed, miniature blossoms. Ideal for containers or rock gardens and in narrow borders.
Tree Roses
Standard tree roses look simply elegant in a formal garden. They are perfect for patios or containers. Tree roses are created from a rose budded onto a sturdy, straight cane. Standard tree roses are generally 36" in height; miniatures are 18", and look wonderful in front of a mixed bed.
Watering
Roses need good drainage. Roots should never sit in water! The best way to water roses is with a soaker hose. Soaker hoses produce a gentle trickle of water that soaks the soil thoroughly. Sprinklers are fine as long as the roses receive enough water so that the water soaks through the top 6 inches of soil and the leaves can dry quickly. If you must use a sprinkler, water early in the morning so that the foliage has a chance to dry — this discourages disease.
Fertilizing
After roses are in full leaf, apply fertilizer, following label directions: fertilize every 3-4 weeks with Rose-tone®, from when they come into full leaf until August. Use muriate of potash in August and September to build strong canes and buds for next year. Do not fertilize in late fall.
Pruning Tips
Prune lightly in fall to prevent snow and ice breakage. Prune no more than 1/3 of long canes. In early spring, cut back hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandifloras to 8-10". Selectively prune shrub roses and climbers. If you have any questions, ask a Rutgers Nursery professional.