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
Plant Rosy Friends
Choose garden companions for roses that can also appreciate lots of water and fertilizer. Avoid rampant or very fast-growing plants for the rose area, but look for evergreens with contrasting textures and complementary (or matching) flower colors. Add bulbs for interest when the roses aren't in bloom.
Choose Ties That Don't Bind
Always use jute string to tie climbing roses to trellises, columns, and walls. Never wind the rose stem around the trellis material, and tie the rose only to the front surface. Then you can cut it down more easily to lay it out and remove the largest canes as needed in fall.
Should You Add Manure?
If you use some native soil to mix with peat moss, ground bark, and sand for a rose bed, manure is not necessary. But if you deem your soil unworkable or just awful, mix those ingredients together with well-rotted manure -- equal parts of each organic matter, and enough sand to feel gritty.
Follow These Cutting Tips
Deadheading roses often allows new flushes to form, if they can. Cut back a few inches behind the flower or cluster to control the height of the bush, and for a bouquet. Try to cut just above a healthy true leaf that points out from the center of the plant, to maintain its form.
Treat Plants to Eggshells and Epsom Salts
Many rose growers use eggshells and/or Epsom salts for their mineral content and impact on sturdy stem growth. Crush eggshells in warm water to make a tea, then strain and water the plants. Spray a solution of dilute Epsom salts on the canes and leaves, or drench the soil.