Growing Roses When You Think You Can't Grow Roses
If you just look at a flower and it wilts, you - yes, even YOU, can grow roses! You just need to chose the right type for your garden. How do you determine which is the best rose for your skill level, aesthetic preferences, and gardening conditions? Time and research are the keys to choosing the correct plant. This is doubly true if you live somewhere where the climate, soil, and amount of shade are less than ideal for successful rose growing (like the Mojave Desert). Here are a few tips for growing roses under some challenging conditions.
- 1. Start small. If you are an inexperienced gardener, the best way to gain skills and confidence is to focus on growing one or two plants, rather than an entire garden.
- 2. Get the best soil you can. Growing roses is easier if you have good soil. If you are uncertain about the state of your soil and your gardening skills, use prepared potting or garden soil, available at any gardening center.
- 3. See what's popular. If a particular rose variety is abundant in your neighborhood, or well-represented at your local garden center, chances are that it is one that grows well in your area.
- 4. Follow the sun. Roses require plentiful sun to be at their best, and both you and your roses will benefit if you plant or place them where they can get the most sun.
If your soil and shade problems seem insurmountable, container gardening might be the answer. Many roses, particularly minature varieties, grow well in containers, given enough care and attention. Potting soil is the best choice for container gardening, especially if you have poor soil.
Don't skimp on the space you give your potted roses, though, since a larger pot gives roses more room to extend their roots. Deeper roots mean a healthier, more productive plant. Roses grown in containers also need to be watered and fertilized more often than roses planted in the ground.