Roses in the garden – planting and care

Shrub rose

A beautiful rose bed impresses most people. Roses have a long history and are probably the most romantic flower we have. You can plant roses both in the garden and in large pots on the veranda or balcony. If you take good care of them, they can bloom for a long time—some varieties bloom all the way from mid-June until the frost arrives!

There are many types of roses to choose from: climbing roses, shrub roses, upright-growing roses, large-flowered roses, and cluster-flowering roses. To help them truly thrive, it’s smart to keep an eye on the following:

• Placement and light
  Roses prefer a sunny location with at least six hours of sunlight each day—ideally near a wall or pergola, a trellis or fence. However, there are varieties that can manage with a bit less sun.
• Soil
  Roses want nutrient-rich, well-drained soil—preferably rose soil.
• Protection
  Protect rose branches from strong spring sun and frost using burlap.
• Watering
  Garden roses thrive best in evenly moist soil. Be mindful if planting near a house wall where it can get hot and dry, as natural rainfall may not reach. Water regularly to compensate.
• Nutrition
  It’s beneficial to nourish the soil each spring with cow manure and rose fertilizer.
• Pruning
  Remove wilted and damaged branches, as well as faded flowers, to encourage more blooms.

In spring, cluster-flowering and large-flowered roses are pruned down to about 15 centimeters. Wait until the buds have started to grow. Shrub roses and climbing roses are thinned out by removing dead, damaged, and thin branches from the bush. If you want stronger growth from the base, you can also cut shrub and climbing roses all the way down. Use sharp pruning shears.

1. Choose the location carefully. Roses thrive best in the sun and prefer at least six hours of sunlight each day. It’s ideal to plant them in front of a warm wall. Some roses need two to three meters of space from other plants, while others manage with 50 centimeters. Check the rose’s preferences.
2. Let the plant soak in water for about 30 minutes before planting.
3. Dig a hole about 50–60 centimeters deep and wide.
4. Mix the soil at the site with equal parts rose soil and cow manure.
5. Roses should be planted deep. Place the rose so that the grafting point is about 10 centimeters below ground level—this protects the rose from frost and reduces root shoots.
6. Fill in with the rest of the soil, press gently around the plant, and water again.

1. Choose a large pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
2. Add a 10 cm layer of leca pebbles to the bottom.
3. Fill with rose soil and plant as described above.
4. Place the pots in a protected and insulated spot during winter, or bury the plant in the ground.
   

Roses can be planted throughout the summer, both directly in beds and in pots. Once you’ve planted your rose, it’s important to water it regularly during the first few weeks. Keep the soil evenly moist.

Consider planting roses alongside lavender, lady’s mantle, and ornamental grasses for a beautiful bed full of flowers, butterflies, and bees. Tulips and other spring bulbs bring life to the bed earlier in the spring. Now you're well on your way to the dream of a magnificent rose bed! Enjoy the sweet fragrance of flowers and lovely rose plants throughout the summer, year after year...

Find your favorite rose here.

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