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.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Shop for Dormant Roses
When choosing new roses for your garden, shop at stores that keep the plants outdoors, where it's cold. Warm temperatures encourage the plants to leaf out, and it's best if the first leaves appear after the plants are in the ground.
Provide a Sweet Spot
Roses deserve the best site you can offer, which should get full morning sun and only a little shade in the afternoon. Choose a spot that's easy to water, too, because roses are heavy drinkers.
Plant With Care
Prepare planting holes 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Work in plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. In acid clay, also add a half cup each of gypsum and lime. Plant bare-root roses so that the graft union is just above the soil line.
Wait to Fertilize
Delay feeding of your roses until the plants leaf out, a process that goes quickly once the weather warms. Beginning in late spring, feed plants at least once a month with a balanced fertilizer formulated for roses.
Select Rose Companions
The best companion plants for roses are small in stature, so that they don't block sunshine and fresh air. Frothy sweet alyssum is one of my favorites. This easy little annual is a perfect plant to grow at the feet of elegant roses.