Rose Essentials
Growing hybrid tea and floribunda roses in the Pacific Northwest can be a challenge because despite all the coddling we give them, our cool, wet summers are not at all to their liking. I've found that the best approach is planting the most disease-resistant varieties I can find and providing them with full sunshine and lots of elbow room. Proper pruning is another key to success. Choosing Varieties Rose breeders always label their roses if they're especially resistant to common fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust, or black spot. AARS winning roses are always a good bet. Our roses are tested throughout the country to bring you the most disease resistant varieties. Take a look at our new program, Region's Choice, to find the best roses for the Pacific Northwest. Yearly Pruning The purpose of pruning roses is to promote good health and stimulate blooming. Late winter or early spring -- just when the buds begin to swell -- is the best time to prune. You'll need hand pruners, long-handled loppers, and a good pair of leather gloves. Wear long sleeves to protect your arms from scratches, and before beginning, make sure your tools are sharp. Dull blades will leave ragged edges, an open invitation to disease and insect pests....read on
Planting Roses Choose a spot in full sun -- at least 6 hours per day. Roses require as much sun as you can provide and a bit of pampering, which begins at planting time. Ideally, you'll have prepared the garden bed by amending the soil with compost. At the very least, plan to add some compost to the hole at planting time. In heavy clay soil consider planting roses in raised beds using a mix of potting soil and compost in the hole. Also, it's a good idea to have your soil tested before planting; if soil test results show the soil is low in phosphorous, you'll want to add a handful of high phosphate fertilizer to the planting hole. Roses are available as either container-grown stock or as bare-root plants; following are instructions on planting both types...Complete planting instructions
Rose Classification Primer In some gardeners' minds, roses have a reputation for being fussy plants that require special handling. Reputations are often earned, and, indeed, some roses do require lots of special care to thrive. However, there are many roses that thrive with reasonable care and will reward you with gorgeous blooms. What's more, there's a rose for just about every garden situation. Climbing roses can frame a doorway or tumble over a picket fence. Low-growing types can be used as a hillside ground cover. A hedge of shrub roses creates a beautiful privacy screen. Miniature roses can be used to edge a walkway, much like you would use annual flowers but without the yearly planting. Roses also fit beautifully into any garden style, as much at home in a rambling cottage garden as in a formal rose planting. The key to success is choosing the correct rose variety...read more  back to Regional Gardening Guide