Regional Growing Guide: Pacific Northwest

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

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.

Planting Bare-Root Roses
Bare-root rose plants are available during the dormant season and are the most economical way to plant roses. The roses you see boxed up or wrapped in plastic are bare-root -- the roots are packed in moist sawdust or shredded newspaper. Roses ordered by mail will arrive bare-root. Some experts believe that bare-root stock acclimates to particular soil conditions better than roses planted from container stock.

When planting a bare-root rose, begin by unwrapping the plant and soaking the roots in water for several hours. While it's soaking, dig a deep hole -- at least 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Amend the soil you removed from the hole with compost; then build a cone of this soil in the bottom of the hole. Remove the rose from the water, trim any damaged or extra long roots, then place the plant in the hole, draping the roots around the soil cone you made in the center. Position the plant so the graft (the swelling between the roots and the cane) sits at or just above ground level.

Add some soil to support the roots, then add more soil, firming it over the roots. When the hole is half full, fill it with water. Let it soak in, then fill in the rest of the soil, then water well.

Once the rose is in place, after planting apply an organic mulch such as fir bark compost. Prune off any damaged or crossing canes, and you're done.

Planting Container Roses
When planting container-grown roses, dig a hole at least 18 inches deep and wide. You will not need to build the soil cone at the bottom of the hole. Check the plant for damaged canes and prune them. Make sure the soil ball is moist throughout; if it isn't, soak it for a few hours. Then gently tip the plant from the pot, trying not to disturb the roots. Set the plant inside the prepared hole and check the level of the plant. Remember, you want the bud union at or just above ground level. Adjust the soil in the hole if necessary. Fill in with soil and tamp it down with your hands as you fill the hole so the roots are supported snugly in the new site. Water once when the hole is half filled, and again when you are done planting. Once the plant is in place, mulch the area around the plant.