Regional Growing Guide: Western Mountains & High Plains
From the eastern slopes of the Cascade and Sierra ranges through the High Plains, this generally arid region battles bitterly cold winters, blustery spring winds, little rain and sometimes brutal summer heat. The soil presents challenges, too, be it alkaline, sandy, clay or infused with salt and boron. Fortunately, the severe climate poses few insect or disease problems. But the roses that thrive here must be cold hardy and survive wild swings in temperature. They often bear strong, leathery leaves to resist desiccation. They also appreciate regular irrigation, heavily amended soil, a thick layer of mulch and protection from the wind.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Spray Dormant Oil
Dormant oil must be used on roses before leaves appear. Dormant oil smothers insect eggs -- and a little prevention goes a long way to preventing problems later in the season
Miniature Roses are Not Fragile Houseplants
Spring holidays bring miniature roses like Easter brings chocolate eggs. Miniature roses are not delicate houseplants. They are, in most cases, tougher than their full-sized cousins, and would prefer to be playing outside. But because you receive them leafed out and in bloom, they can't survive outside quite yet. Give them lots of direct sun and good air circulation, and watch for spider mites. Get them outside as soon as the weather warms.
Wait to Plant Container-Grown Roses
Many nurseries are bringing their potted roses along, getting them ready to bloom for early spring and Mother's Day sales. These roses have been forced into early bloom. They're beautiful, but too fragile to go outside until late spring. If you must have one, buy it and let the nursery baby-sit till the weather warms up. Only then do you want to take it out of its cozy greenhouse.
Plant Bare-Root Roses
Be sure to plant them with the graft at soil level, then mulch almost all the way to the tips of the canes. Don't let the canes dry out while roots are establishing themselves.
Consider Raised Beds for Roses
Raised beds -- made up of imported topsoil -- are sometimes the best way to go when the soil is just too awful to deal with. Roses like their soil slightly acidic, and it might just be easier to give them a whole bed of good stuff than spend an eternity amending native soil.