roses How to set up a rose garden...

roses How to set up a rose garden...

roses Roses can be trained to decorate walls, fences and pillars, used as stand alone features, mixed with other colourful plants, grown in pots in courtyards or on balconies. Follow these simple steps for stunning roses. STEP 1 Pick the perfect spot Roses need good drainage and at least six hours of sunlight a day. Too much shade will produce lanky growth and few flowers. Provide wind protection for gorgeous long lasting blooms.

STEP 2 Soil preparation and planting Potted Roses Can be planted all year round. Condition the soil by adding organic matter, like Earthcore Groganic Soil Improver and well-rotted manures to improve soil structure and help retain moisture and nutrients. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots of the plant and roughly the same depth as the container so that the bud union or graft is about 3cm above ground level. Water the plant thoroughly in the pot before removing it. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil and firm down gently. Water new plants in well. Give your roses a Seaweed based tonic at planting time and throughout the season to encourage root development. Bare rooted Roses Best planted in June/July and early August. Bare rooted plants should never be allowed to dry out. Ideally, you should plant them immediately or if necessary you can cover them loosely with damp soil for a couple of days until you are ready to plant. Prepare the soil and dig a hold as noted above for potted roses. Make a small pile of composted soil in the middle of the hole. Position the plant at the centre and allow the bare roots to spread out over the mound then backfill the hole. The bud union or graft should be about 3cm above the final soil level. Gently shake the plant or add some water to encourage the soil to settle around the roots. Water new plants in well. Give your roses a Seaweed based tonic at planting time and throughout the season to encourage root development.

STEP 3 Watering Keep newly planted roses well watered for the first few months and through the first couple of Summers until they are well established. Once established they are dry tolerant plants. Water thoroughly once or twice a week, rather than light daily watering. This encourages the roots to grow down into the soil, improving their drought tolerance. Water in the morning at the base of your plants not the foliage - the roots are where the plant needs water most. Wet foliage, particularly overnight, encourages fungal attack. Apply a good layer of organic mulch like pea straw or lucerne to conserve water and reduce competition from weeds. STEP 4 Feeding When roses come into bud in Spring give them a good dose of Plants Plus Rose Food. Repeat feeding at the end of Spring to encourage more blooms at the end of Summer. Annual applications of compost and manure will also improve the health and vigour of your roses. Garden ROSES: Some roses are particularly susceptible to fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew, so give them plenty of space to grow and ensure nearby plants are kept pruned back.

STEP 5 Pruning Winter Pruning The best time to prune your roses is late Winter. If you live in a frost prone area, wait until the risk of frost has passed before you prune so your new shoots don t get damaged. Whether newly planted or well-established, initially cut about half of the growth off in a rounded shape. Next, prune out any spindly wood that is less than pencil thickness, as well as any old or dead wood and crossing branches. Remove the old woody stems every 3-5 years to reduce excess wood and promote new growth. Use a saw to remove any thick barky looking branches. Where you can, try to open up the plant, to allow sun and air to penetrate. Simply prune to an outward facing bud, so the branches grow in a vase like shape. Prune the branches a good centimetre or two above the bud to allow the stem to seal. Make your cuts on a slant so that water can run off the wound. Prune away suckers that shoot up from the root stock or below the graft. Remove any old fallen or diseased leaves from around your roses to reduce the likelihood of pest and disease spreading. After Winter pruning spray your roses with a fungicide like Lime Sulphur to give them a fresh start in Spring. Summer Pruning If you want the best out of your roses give them a Summer prune too. Simply prune off one third of growth in a rounded shape after each flush of flowers has finished.

Garden Roses: If staking your rose, be sure to use soft ties to prevent damage to the growing stem. Plant your roses in full sun and keep them well fed and watered and they will reward you with a glorious display of flowers. Healthy plants are less susceptible to be attacked by disease. It s important to identify any water shoots. These are soft, sappy growths which are usually olive green or pinkish red in colour. The water shoots are important for the future framework of the plant, so they should only be pruned lightly (remove the top 20-30 per cent of the shoot). Roses can be susceptible to fungal disease such as black spot and powdery mildew, as well as pests like aphids which attack flowers and new growth. Take a sample to your local Plants Plus Garden Centre and our experts will help to identify the problem and provide the right advice and products to keep your roses in tip top condition. For more inspirational ideas go to plantsplus.com.au visit our website at plantsplus.com.au subscribe to our monthly newsletter follow and like us on PlantsPlusAustralia îs.29006