Regional Growing Guide: Pacific Northwest

Finding the Right Site

Roses do best when they get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun dries the foliage earliest in the day, which may be wet from overnight rainfall or morning dew. Dampness can encourage fungal diseases, so to preventproblems provide adequate sunshine and air circulation around each plant.

No Room for Roses?

Roses grow well in containers if garden space is at a premium. Use a 16" pot to accommodate roots, and fill with a good grade of commercial potting soil. Remember that container roses must have winter protection because their roots are exposed to winter air temperatures. Put the pots on wheels and wheel them into an unheated garage for the winter

Preventing Rose Diseases

The best way to control fungal diseases is to prevent them. Water early in the morning, avoid wetting the leaves, provide good air circulation and be vigilant! When that fails, institute a preventive fungicidal spray program.

Curtailing Cane Borers

To stop cane borers from doing further damage, you have to prune back the affected canes below the hole. Inspect your canes for signs of recent activity. You can pull the grubs out of the holes by hand. Then seal the hole with a dab of Elmer's glue or a thumbtack.

Homemade Fertilizer for Roses

Banana peels make an excellent fertilizer for your roses. They add potassium -- which is needed for big beautiful blooms -- to your soil. Potassium also promotes plant vigor. For best results, shred the banana peels into small pieces. One application a month is all that's needed.