How to Grow Roses That Will Make You the Envy of Your Block

Growing Roses Made Simple

It's surprising how many people think roses must be hard to grow because of their beauty. But roses are tough! You basically need two things: sun and water.

Sun: Roses flower best with at least six hours of sunlight per day, preferably more. Some roses bloom in partial shade but do much better in full sun.

Water: Roses thrive with at least 1 inch of water per week. They hate waterlogged roots and can develop leaf diseases if watered from overhead sprinklers. Plant in well-draining soil. Use a soaker hose or lay a hose end next to the roots, and water with a slow drizzle for half an hour.

Check out our ultimate rose care guide.

How to Plant Roses

Plant roses in fall or spring, giving them time to establish roots before blooming season.

Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, amending the soil with compost. Avoid chemical fertilizer at planting time as it can burn new roots.

Learn how to compost.

For container roses, place the pot on the ground and gently press the sides to ease the plant out. Position the bud union (where canes meet roots) 2 to 3 inches below the soil line in cold climates, just above the soil line in warm climates.

For boxed roses, follow the same guidelines. Remove the box or peat pot before planting; even biodegradable pots may not decompose fast enough.

When planting bare-root roses, clip ½ inch off the tips of the largest roots to stimulate growth. If canes are taller than 4 to 8 inches, trim those too. Form a small soil cone in the hole, place roots on top, and position the bud union as described above.

Fill the hole with the removed soil and water well.

A 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch (pine needles, compost, shredded bark, or hardwood chips) helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Allow plenty of space around roses for air circulation to prevent disease and insect problems. Check the plant tag for recommended spacing.

Rose Care

Rose care can be as easy or complicated as you wish. Shrub roses are among the easiest and need little maintenance; hybrid teas need more attention.

Learn more about the easiest roses.

Fertilize in spring and early summer to promote growth. Choose organic or synthetic fertilizers; a balanced formula (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) works fine. A slow-release fertilizer applied once per season is often enough.

Beware: Rose Rosette Disease

Rose rosette disease, a devastating virus spreading quickly, is the biggest threat to roses. Once infected, there is no cure. Remove the entire plant, including roots. Burn or bag and confine the plant; never compost it.

Symptoms include clusters of new growth on existing canes ("witch's broom"), thicker canes with excessive thorns, or extra red coloration in new tip growth. However, new growth on some roses is naturally red. Look for other symptoms before removing plants.

Rose Pests

Common pests include Japanese beetles, cane borers, and aphids. To garden more organically, start with disease-resistant varieties, avoid crowding, keep roses pruned for air and sunlight, and avoid overhead watering.

Learn how to protect your roses from black spot.