Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It is extremely necessary to mound earth over the tops of newly planted roses in spring or fall to a height of 8 to 10 inches. The mound should remain till the new growth shoots are about an inch long in spring when it should be removed.

Yes. However, complete rose bed preparation 18 inches deep is better.

Yes. This, however, is seldom the case as usually too little organic matter is used. Amounts up to 50% organic matter can be used. More than that amount would make the soil too light or porous.

Yes. The sooner you plant roses after you receive them, the better they will grow. If you cannot plant the roses as soon as you receive them, they can be stored in a cool place where they will not freeze for several days. Do not open the box until you are ready to plant.

Yes. The soil in a rose bed prepared at least 3 to 6 weeks ahead of time has a chance to settle down before planting so that there is less settling afterward and less danger of the plants being too low later on. Also, the soil will be in better condition and the fertilizer more diffused in the prepared bed. A third advantage is that with bed preparation already completed, the planting can be done more quickly which is very essential.

Rose beds should be at least 3 feet wide so that 2 or more rows of roses may be planted to give sufficient volume of color for the most pleasing effect.

No. If the potted rose has begun to grow when you receive it, mounding is unnecessary. If there is no growth on the potted rose, and there really should be when you purchase it, then a mount of soil 8 to 10 inches high over the stems of the rose would be advisable. Check in our How to Plant a Star for additional planting information.

Yes. The potted rose has begun to grow when you receive it and is often in bud and bloom, giving you the advantage of a started plant. The potted rose can be successfully planted late in the season or even during the summer when dormant roses are no longer available, or practical to plant. Potted roses are also a little easier to plant, as there is no concern about getting the earth firmly placed between and under the roots, because the roots are encased in a ball of earth.

It depends. Boxed and packaged roses are available earlier in the season. They may be successfully planted in quite cold weather, as they have not yet begun to grow. They may also have a slight price advantage and they make wonderful gifts for Mother's Day, Birthdays or house warming gifts.

Yes. The weather and soil conditions at planting time are usually better in the fall than in spring. The soil is usually wet and muddy and the weather unsettled in spring. A rose planted in the fall is usually somewhat established by spring and will bloom earlier in the season. Rose availability, however, is more limited in the fall.

Yes, but it really depends on your climate. Spring is the time of year when plants awake from dormancy and begin to grow. It is the time of year when we are most tired of winter and get the urge to plant things and see plants begin to grow. Roses planted in spring begin growing within 2 to 3 weeks after planting and about 6 to 8 weeks more they will be in bloom. Spring planted roses have all summer to become established and are better able to go through the winter without injury.

Yes. An excellent effect can be achieved from mixing different types of roses in the same bed if you keep the lower growing varieties to the outside of the bed and the taller ones to the center and background where they will not be hidden.

You should plant roses 20" to 30" apart to produce the best results. Roses need air circulation to grow well. Spacing at 30" makes the plants stand out individually. Planting roses less than 20" apart will crowd the plants and restrict their growth. It is always best to plant your roses based on the specific recommendations on the tag for each variety.

Yes. The only important difference between good soil and poor soil is that good soil contains sufficient organic matter and fertility, drainage, and poor soil does not. Poor soils can be improved sufficiently by making a mixture of 1/4 to 1/3 organic matter. (Peat moss, rotted manure, humus, compost) and 3/4 to 2/3 existing soil plus 4 pounds of a well-balanced fertilizer, for each 100 square feet of rose bed you are preparing. All this should be mixed thoroughly together to a depth of 14 to 18 inches.

Yes. It's best to keep them at least 2 to 3 feet away from the house. Also, remember that near the house foundation is usually a very dry location as well as a hot one, so water more heavily and more frequently.