Regional Growing Guide: Coastal and Tropical South
Hot, hazy and humid describes much of the year in this region, where roses commence their first peak of bloom by Mother's Day, then continue budding out and blooming through December. While most of the rain comes during winter and early spring, fierce afternoon thunderstorms, nor-easters and even hurricanes may blow through during summer months. The soil may be acidic or sandy: amending with lime helps balance the pH, while compost provides nutrients and improves drainage. The best roses are heat tolerant and resist black spot: new roses often offer improved repeat blooming as well.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Treat Roses With Dormant Oil Spray
Once all the leaves have dropped, it's time to suppress insects like aphids and thrips with an oil spray. Rake leaves and renew the mulch, then spray with an ultra refined horticultural oil spray. If problems have been severe, repeat spray after pruning in February.
Building a Rose Bed
Plan ahead to plant new roses in February. Loosen 4 inches of native soil, add 4 inches of organic matter (compost, ground bark, and manure makes a good mix) and till again. Sprinkle with garden lime and cottonseed meal, then till once more. Put sides on it, or not.
Taking Cuttings
The ideal rose cutting is 6 inches long and comes from the tip of a stem that is not in bloom. Strip the leaves off the lower half of the stem, then let it lay for a couple of days before sticking it into a mix of sand and compost.
Attract Wildlife with Rose Hips
Keeping the old flowers trimmed off helps remontant (reblooming) roses keep blooming. But let the last flush of shrub roses stay on the bushes so the hips can form to nourish hungry birds. Rose hips are a beautiful fruit for the fall garden and an excellent way to bring birds closer.
Extending Vase Life
Roses are woody plants, so cut them carefully. Take a bucket of warm water into the garden, use a single blade to slice the stem at an angle, and get it in the water right away. Recut stems daily and change water every other day to extend vase life.