Regional Growing Guide: Lower 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 Summer Fall
Roses for the Landscape
I'm not sure if you've noticed it lately, but roses are on the move in our landscapes. They are no longer just for the rose garden but are taking their place throughout the landscape: climbers filling an archway or arbor, miniatures in containers or an ornamental bed, and shrub-type roses scattered about to provide beauty throughout the year.
There are numerous new shrub type roses that form attractive plants and look great even when not in bloom. A number of new roses are introduced every year that offer disease resistance, beauty, and a nice shrubby growth habit.
One of my newest favorites is 'Knock Out'. This rose makes a great shrub with dark green foliage and new growth that emerges with a nice burgundy tinge. It reblooms prolifically with cherry red blossoms. The best part is that it's one of the most disease-resistant roses I have ever grown.
Planting Roses
Bare-root roses should be planted in late winter, but container grown roses can be planted at most any time of the year. Mix several inches of compost into the soil prior to planting. In our southern climate, raised beds are usually helpful in draining away excess water during those times of the year when it just can't seem to stop raining!
Our southern summers bring blistering heat and humidity. It can be a challenge to grow roses here. But even in our hot climate, roses need full sun to bloom well.
Feeding Your Plants
Roses need regular feeding to bloom their best. Many of these modern repeat bloomers will bloom up a storm if you keep them vigorous and happy. Fertilize them with a cup or two of complete fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting bed every 6 weeks from spring to late summer. There are numerous blends on the market for roses.
Despite the old advice of using high phosphorus fertilizers, I find that most of our soils contain plenty of phosphorus, especially if they have been fertilized in the past. Therefore many rose growers in the south now use products with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of nutrients. There are also some great natural products including cottonseed meal, blood meal, and fish fertilizer, which work great on roses.