Rose Care 101: Maintaining an Inherited Garden in Richmond, VA

Inheriting a rose garden is a gift—but only if you know how to care for it. Here's a tailored plan for three excellent varieties in Richmond, VA (Zone 7a).

Your Roses & Their Needs

Don Juan (Deep Red Climber, Fragrant)

• Habit: Vigorous, prefers warmer zones but established plants adapt.
• Disease: May get black spot; doesn't reduce vigor.
• Care: Spray Funginex if desired. Prune only to fit space in early spring. Water deeply in summer. Mulch 6 inches with compost/manure. Fertilize with 2 handfuls rose food around base in spring.

High Hopes (Pink Climber, English, Fragrant)

• Habit: Reliable, healthy, repeat-blooms (main flush + scattered).
• Disease: Generally clean.
• Care: Same as Don Juan—minimal pruning, deep water, heavy mulch, 2 handfuls fertilizer.

Melody Parfumée (Mauve-Pink Grandiflora, French, Intensely Fragrant)

• Habit: Tall (5 ft), upright.
• Pruning: Hard prune to 3 ft in early spring before growth starts—it will regrow to 5 ft and bloom better.
• Fertilizer: 1 handful rose food (Miracle-Gro etc.) around base.
• Mulch: 6 inches—critical for cool roots and disease reduction.

Universal Rules for All Three

1. Water deeply weekly (1 inch+), more in heat. Climbers need more than bushes.
2. Mulch 6 inches with compost, manure, or bark—keep away from canes.
3. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering.
4. Stop fertilizing by late July to harden canes for winter.

The previous owner chose well. With this regimen, your inherited garden will flourish for years.