Anne Bronte, an 18th century novelist and poet, once wrote, “But he that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.”
Craving the beauty of a single rose drives millions of gardeners to plant and maintain a rose garden. However, almost every rose has some type of thorn and a rose garden has its own thorn of sorts. That thorn is the planning, planting and maintenance that beauty of this type requires. Please do not shy away from roses because of the work, their beauty is worth it and with a little planning, the rose garden thorn may be the most enjoyable part.
Planning your Rose Garden
Several factors come into play when planning your garden, the first one being where you will plant and how much space you have. Depending on your situation, there are options for container roses, green house roses and gardens with paths and multiple varieties of rose. Where you live can make a difference as well, since many roses are very temperature sensitive.
Regardless of where you plant your garden, your roses will need plenty of sun in order to thrive. Given the choice, choose a site that offers your flowers access to the morning sun so that moisture that develops on the plants overnight will dry quickly and decrease the chance of fungal diseases becoming a problem. Observe the area that you want to plant closely so that you understand how the sun reaches the area.
The Perfect Soil for Your Rose Garden
Rich, dark improved soil that is slightly acidic, is the perfect soil for growing roses, says an old manuscript published by the 4-H Clubs of America. The soil should receive plenty of water and drain well to keep roots from developing diseases. However, roses have been proven to tolerate all types of soil, but do best in a mix that has been improved with a large amount of organic matter, like compost or peat moss. There are large numbers of commercial and organic soil mixes that you can use to give your roses the perfect bed. It is best to check with a local nursery to determine the best soil for your roses as they have experience with the varieties that do best in your area.
It is also important to provide plenty of water for your roses. Deep watering twice a week is much better for your plants than to lightly spray them every day. Organic mulch that is 2 to 3 inches deep placed over the bed can help reduce the need for watering. In order to reduce the incidence of fungal diseases water you plants early in the day so that any foliage is able to dry in the sun
Rose Garden Success
Once you get your garden planted take the time to keep a journal about your roses. Write down things about weather, sunlight, diseases and watering. Taking this step will help guide you to learn how your roses react and grow best under different conditions. This will allow you to improve your garden and your roses each year. Also, it learn to photograph your roses as a garden and up close so that you will have lifelong memories to remember the joy of chasing the thorn.
