How to Start a Rose Garden at Summer Camp: Layout, Soil, and Variety Recommendations for Texas

Bed Design

For 3 roses: 5-ft diameter circle. For 5 roses: quincunx pattern (X shape). Use pavers or edging bricks to define the bed.

Soil & Mulch

1. Lay weed mat (black) over native soil inside the border.
2. Cut X's for planting holes.
3. Backfill with Rose Soil (buy bagged) or mix: 2 bags manure + 2 bags potting soil + 2 bags compost/humus.
4. Mulch with cedar bark (repels bugs).

Texas-Proven Varieties

Belinda's Dream, Knockout, Mr. Lincoln, Double Delight, Peace, Chicago Peace, Gene Boerner, Miss All American Beauty, Pascali, Olympiad, Uncle Joe, St. Patrick, Sunsprite, Veteran's Honor, Sunset Celebration, Mrs. B.R. Cant, Duchesse de Brabant, Love, Chrysler Imperial, Nearly Wild, Honey Bouquet, Gold Medal, Angel Face, Europeana, Iceberg.

Watering

Soaker hose looped around each plant (no kinks!). Deep, efficient, foliage-dry.

Buying

Walmart/Lowes for price; Chamblees Roses (chambleeroses.com) for mail-order quality.