Getting Started with Roses
Plant and make the most of your roses this season.
Last updated: March 19, 2025 | 3 min read
Cultivated since ancient times by Greeks and Romans and revered by Asian and Middle Eastern empires, roses continue to be one of the most popular flower in the world. The rose was even designated the "national floral emblem" of the U.S in 1986. Thousands of rose varieties exist in an astonishing range of colors and fragrances. And with plant sizes ranging from low-growing "carpet" roses to towering climbers, there's a rose to fit every space. It's no wonder they are such cherished garden plants!
As loved and famous as they are, roses have a reputation among some gardeners for needing special care. Selecting the right variety for your site, choosing roses that resist common diseases, and giving them the simple care they require can go a long way toward keeping roses healthy.
Picking Your Roses
At the garden center you’ll find two types of roses you can purchase:
Container roses are already established and can go directly into the ground once conditions are right for planting.
Bare-root roses are available in larger varieties, usually less expensive, and can be ordered easily online. Bare-root roses need to be soaked in water for at least 2-3 hours before planting and will need more consistent watering to help establish in your garden.
Choosing Your Site
Roses need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day and benefit from a rich, moist soil with high organic content and good drainage. If you're planting more than one together, ensure rose bushes are at least 3 feet apart to allow air circulation and prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Roses prefer a slightly acidic soil with a PH between 6.5 and 7. A soil testing kit can help you determine what amendments may need to be added to give your roses an ideal home.
How to Plant Your Roses
Dig a large hole to ensure you have enough space for the plant's roots and some additional organic matter. Roses are heavy feeders and grow best with a steady supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Mix a healthy amount of compost in with your soil and after filling the hole, mound up the loose mixture around the canes of the rose to protect it while it adjusts to its new home. And then water, water, water. Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season to ensure your roses grow healthy and over-winters well. Use a soaker hose or a watering can with a long spout to avoid getting water on the foliage as it can cause diseases.
Supports for Climbing Roses
A rose-covered arch makes a delightful and inviting garden entrance. Unlike shrub roses, climbing roses form extra-long flowering canes that must be tied to supports to stay upright. For best results, twist the main shoots of climbing roses through your arch or trellis, trying to keep them as horizontal as possible so flowering shoots form on the lower parts of the plant.
Jardin Rose Arch: This classic arch features a simple, understated design that showcases your climbing plants. Made from powder-coated tubular steel with antiqued finish, it's a generous 52" wide by 22" deep by 96" H installed.
Controlling Pests and Diseases
Roses can suffer from a range of pests and diseases, which is partially where they get their reputation for being difficult from. Black spot, aphids, rose rust, and powdery mildew can all affect your new flowery friends. An organic spray like Captain Jacks Rose Rx 4 in 1 made from neem seed oil can help control these common problems. Ensuring your rose bush gets proper air flow, sunlight, and consistent pruning can also help to prevent these common problems.
A Japanese beetle with a skeletonized grape leaf.
Japanese beetles are notorious for causing extensive damage to roses and other garden and landscape plants by skeletonizing leaves and ruining flowers. To keep Japanese beetle damage to a minimum, it's best to tackle them early.
Beneficial nematodes are naturally occurring, beneficial microorganisms that help control Japanese beetles by attacking the soil-dwelling, grub stage of the beetle. They starts working within 48 hours of application and keep working all summer long. Unlike chemical controls, beneficial nematodes won't harm earthworms or most beneficial insects, and the product is safe to use around people and pets.
Milky Spore provides long-term control of Japanese beetles. It contains naturally occurring microscopic bacteria (Bacillus popilliae) that kills Japanese beetle grubs before they can grow into adults. The Milky Spore population in the soil increases each year, reaching peak effectiveness about three years after application, and lasts ten years or more. It's safe for people, pets and beneficial soil organisms.
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