Rose Maintenance

The Beauty of the rose is legendary; it is probably the most planted shrub in the West. Taking care of roses is about timing: Why?

• maximize nutrient uptake
• maximize health
• maximizing flowering 

The timing of watering, nutrient uptake, pruning and weeding delivers the most satisfying results in a healthy, vibrant plant.

Flowers grow on new wood/growth, so proper pruning is a must! Start winter pruning  now. Your pruning should promote vibrant new growth, or your flowers will come out on spindly branches and twigs, minimizing the beauty of the flowers. Pruning for the upcoming season should be 1/3 to 1/2 of last season's growth, except for climbers. Clean debris (leaves and petals) and discard or put into a mulch pile.

Remove all dead wood, as well as wood that has no healthy growth on it. Remove all the suckers that grow on the under-stock (not the kind that are of the rose variety), but be careful not to remove new growth; suckers usually have a distinct difference in foliage/leaf size and shape, as well as the size of the thorns.

Cut the cane back so that there are two sets of five leaflet leaves when cutting flowers. This should be considered pruning as well.

 There are different types of roses. The following are some of  the modern roses:

• Hybrid Teas
• Grandifloras
• Floribundas
• Polyanthas
• Miniature roses
• Shrub roses. 

For January, tips include spraying a fungicide bi-weekly to prevent powdery mildew. Spray the canes and the ground around the rose bush. Deep water roses at least once a week. Plant new bare-root roses. Newly planted roses should be kept moist but not wet.

There are pillar types of roses, shrub roses and spreading roses. Each plant takes a different type of pruning; we will go over the different requirements in the next blog. This is just a basic overview. It is now time to spray weeds, clean and sharpen your tools and reduce your watering.

If you are buying a new shrub, here is a link from the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society for roses that do best in Arizona: http://www.similarsites.com/goto/roses4az-mevrs.org?pos=1&s=10.

You can always call us at (520) 751-0232 for more information, check our website, Ground Effects Landscaping, or find us on Facebook at Ground Effects Landscaping.