Roses are among the most beloved garden plants, offering stunning blooms, a variety of colors, and even wildlife benefits. Yet, they sometimes intimidate new gardeners with their reputation for being high-maintenance. Jason from Fraser Valley Rose Farm sets the record straight, sharing a practical and encouraging guide for beginners interested in growing roses. From understanding the basics to creating the right conditions and caring for your roses, this guide provides everything you need to start growing these timeless plants.
Why Grow Roses?
Roses are incredibly rewarding plants, with unmatched versatility and productivity. Unlike many flowering shrubs, modern roses can bloom continuously throughout the growing season, producing flowers in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes. Beyond their ornamental beauty, roses support pollinators like bees, provide winter habitat for birds, and even produce nutrient-rich rose hips. Whether you’re planting them in an ornamental bed, a vegetable garden, or as part of a mixed border, roses can thrive in a variety of settings.
Historically, roses are deeply intertwined with human civilization. While their wild ancestors were temperate-climate shrubs, modern roses have been hybridized for broader adaptability and ornamental appeal. Their genetic lineage connects them to practical plants like apples, plums, and blackberries—fellow members of the rose family.
Types of Roses for Your Garden
Roses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and bloom forms, offering options for every garden space:
- Miniature Roses: Compact plants growing 18–24 inches tall, perfect for small spaces or containers.
- Floribundas: Medium-sized roses, typically 2–3 feet tall, with prolific clusters of blooms.
- Hybrid Teas: Often 3–4 feet tall, these are the classic “florist” roses, with large, solitary blooms.
- Grandifloras and Shrubs: Larger roses reaching 4–6 feet, with versatile growth habits.
- Climbers and Ramblers: Vigorous roses that can reach heights of 8–10 feet or more, ideal for fences, arches, or trellises.
In terms of flowers, roses range from single-petal blooms to intricate, multi-petaled forms. While the classic hybrid tea with its pointed bud may be the most familiar, cluster-flowering roses, old garden forms, and modern innovations like striped or bi-colored blooms are equally captivating. Their colors span nearly the full spectrum, from white and yellow to vibrant pinks, reds, and purples—though a true blue rose remains elusive.
Growing Conditions for Roses
Roses are more adaptable than they’re often given credit for, but providing the right conditions will ensure they thrive.
Sunlight
As a re-blooming plant, roses need plenty of energy to produce flowers throughout the season. Aim for full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is particularly beneficial, especially in climates with hot afternoons, where some shade can help prevent heat stress. For shadier gardens, certain roses tolerate part shade, though their blooming potential may be reduced.
Soil
Roses perform well in a range of soils but prefer slightly clayey, well-draining soil. This helps retain the consistent moisture and nutrients roses need to support their prolific flowering. In sandy soils, additional amendments or more frequent watering and fertilizing may be necessary to maintain performance.
Support
For climbing or rambling roses, a trellis, fence, or other support is essential. Training their canes horizontally along a structure encourages lateral shoots and more flowers along the entire length of the stems. Some roses, called pillar roses, are better suited for vertical training and can still produce flowers along their height with proper care.
Caring for Roses
Planting
Spring is the ideal time to plant roses, as abundant moisture and moderate temperatures help establish healthy roots before summer. It’s also the time when garden centers offer the widest variety of roses.
Watering
Roses appreciate consistent watering, particularly during the growing season. If possible, use a timed irrigation system to ensure they receive regular moisture. Watch for signs of drought stress, such as yellowing leaves or poor flowering, and adjust your watering routine as needed.
Fertilizing
Roses benefit from regular feeding, especially during their active growth and bloom periods. Start early in the season with a reasonably complete fertilizer, applied at half strength but frequently, to promote steady growth and flowering. Something in the simplified range of 3-1-2 or 3-1-2 (NPK) with minor nutrients as well is ideal. Reduce fertilizing in late summer to allow the plant to prepare for dormancy in fall and winter.
Pruning
Pruning is often the most intimidating part of rose care, but Jason simplifies it: prune roses as you would any other shrub. The best time to do so is late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. Focus on:
- Removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
- Reshaping the plant for better airflow and light penetration.
- Cutting back unproductive wood to encourage vigorous growth.
Regular deadheading during the growing season also helps promote continuous blooms. If you miss the early spring pruning window, don’t worry—you can still prune lightly during the growing season, avoiding only the hottest summer months and late fall in cold climates.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Roses have a reputation for being prone to issues like black spot, powdery mildew, and aphid infestations. However, Jason emphasizes that a little imperfection is natural and acceptable. Minor pest or disease pressure won’t ruin your roses, and perfection isn’t necessary for a healthy, productive plant.
To minimize problems:
- Encourage biodiversity: Plant roses as part of a mixed garden to attract beneficial insects that help control pests.
- Avoid monocultures: Large rose-only gardens are more vulnerable to pest outbreaks.
- Choose resistant varieties: Many modern roses are bred for improved disease resistance.
If serious issues arise, such as widespread defoliation or significant damage from pests like Japanese beetles, targeted treatments may be needed. Otherwise, tolerance and good cultural practices often suffice.
Own-Root vs. Grafted Roses
One important distinction in rose production is whether the plant is grafted or grown on its own roots. Grafted roses are produced by attaching a desirable variety to a vigorous rootstock, which can result in quick establishment in the garden. Own-root roses, by contrast, grow entirely from their natural roots and have become more popular in recent years due to their longevity and ability to regrow true to type if damaged.
Both types have their merits, and the choice depends on your gardening preferences and local conditions.
Roses in Containers
Growing roses in containers is a flexible option for gardeners with limited space or less-than-ideal garden conditions. The key to success is choosing the largest container possible to accommodate the rose’s root system and reduce the frequency of watering. If your container dries out within a day or two, it’s a sign the pot may be too small. Jason also recommends pairing container-grown roses with a timed irrigation system for convenience and consistent moisture.
Final Thoughts: Roses Are for Everyone
Roses may have a reputation for being fussy, but Jason’s advice makes it clear that they’re no more challenging than any other plant. By understanding their needs—ample sun, consistent moisture, and occasional pruning—you can enjoy their abundant blooms and fragrances throughout the season.
Whether you’re growing roses in the ground or a container, as part of a mixed border or a formal garden, they’re a rewarding choice for gardeners of all skill levels. For further insights, visit resources like HelpMeFind to explore rose varieties and their characteristics.
Ready to grow your own roses? If you have any questions or tips to share, leave a comment below the video or explore more resources on Fraser Valley Rose Farm’s website. Roses are for everyone—start growing yours today!
