Regional Growing Guide: Middle 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.
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Winter's End for Roses
Like most gardeners, I love the beauty and fragrance of hybrid tea roses so much that I'm willing to put in extra effort to keep them happy. Right about now, good old 'Mister Lincoln' (and a few select companions) are ready for their spring unveiling. Protected through winter with straw mulch held in place with chicken wire, the lowest buds are finally swelling with the promise of plenty of rich red blossoms in May.
Hybrid teas will survive winter without protection, but fall pruning and mulching reduces winter injury. Say you didn't bother to coddle your hybrid teas through winter? As long as you prune them back to 12 to 18 inches now, while the buds are plumping up, the plants will forgive you.
Pruning Climbers
Wait to prune climbing roses, too, since they bloom best on old wood. But before the canes leaf out, do take some time to secure them to their trellis or pillar. Once climbers become heavy with leaves and buds, this job becomes much more difficult.
Clean Mulch
Beyond attentive pruning, one of the biggest favors you can do for your roses now is to rake up old mulch and replace it with fresh material. The fungal spores that cause powdery mildew and blackspot often wait through winter in mulch. Replacing old mulch in spring ensures a healthy start for the new growth.