JUNE IS FOR ROSES – Green-Thumb Gardener
June is National Rose Month and an appropriate time to review these well-loved plants/flowers. The rose is the national floral emblem. They provide beautiful color in the landscape with repeat blooming and some provide a wonderful fragrance as well. Roses are not difficult to grow, but do require some extra maintenance time.
Before you decide to pursue this plant, make sure you have a minimum of 6 hours of sun available in the location. Morning sun is preferred to help dry the leaves from any morning condensation. Well-draining soil is critical with as much rich organic matter as possible. Make sure to allow enough space for growth when planting to maintain air circulation which is critical in decreasing disease issues. Spring planting is recommended but fall planting can be done, especially with bare-root plants and proper winter protection. Maintain fertilizer applications until July 15 and then it is best to stop as plants prepare for winter. Rose plants need the equivalent of 1 inch of water per week. Deep watering is important. This can be achieved by a soaker hose that will also help to keep water off the leaves. Make sure to maintain watering until the ground freezes in the fall. There are many things that like to eat roses, so watch for pest issues and take appropriate measures at first sight of them. Rose plants can also be susceptible to a number of foliage diseases. The best way to prevent these is the use of a fungicide regularly along with proper culture habits. Make sure to rotate fungicides being used so resistance doesn’t develop.
There are many different types of rose plants, including shrubs, climbers, groundcovers, floribundas, grandifloras, and hybrid teas. Make sure to ask if your rose type is grafted or on its own root. Grafted plants need to have the graft union area planted one to two inches under the soil to protect it from winter freeze.
Pruning should be done in spring after threat of frost to maintain the health/vigor of the plant. The active growing season of this time will heal wounds quickly. How much pruning is done depends on the type of rose you have.
Winter can be hard on rose plants in northern Indiana. There are many methods to help protect your plants that don’t require a lot of additional effort. I highly recommend you check out the Purdue extension online brochures that show multiple ways to achieve this.
Enjoy the beauty and fragrance of this well-loved plant!
This article is sponsored by McNamara at Sand Point, which has 2 acres of production greenhouses, retail florist and gift shop, as well as retail garden center and wholesale plant business. Contact McNamara by calling 260-747-4131 or visit 4322 DeForest Ave, Ft. Wayne, IN 46809.
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