Regional Growing Guide: So. California Coastal & Inland Valleys
From the sunny beaches of California to the blistering deserts of the Southwest, this region is marked by nearly year-round sunshine and little rain. Roses bloom from April through December in the more temperate parts, while they take a rest during August and September in the great deserts, where searing temperatures vary little between day and night. There, roses have two seasons: spring and fall, with peak blooming in April and October. Ample irrigation is key. Soils may be alkaline or sand: it's important to amend with plenty of organic matter. The best roses are heat tolerant, and tend to bear darker leaves and bloom in more intensely saturated colors.
Select a season: Spring Early Summer Late Summer Fall
Prepare for New Roses
Now that you've seen roses perform over the summer, consider which ones you want to replace or which new ones you want to add. Prepare the new planting holes by adding some organic matter and either manure or timed-release plant food. This will give transplants a good start this fall and nourish bare-root plants in January.
Promote Blooming By Protecting Foliage
Continue to protect your roses from pests and diseases as we enter the fall season. This will insure good carbohydrate production, which promotes good bloom and good plant health going into winter.
Take A Rose Tour
Now that roses are blooming up a storm again, take a drive around to scope out the beautiful flowers. Public gardens and nurseries are great places to get a sneak peek at varieties and find a few you just can't live without. Visiting gardens also is a good way to get some ideas for using roses in the landscape.
Give Spider Mites a Bath
Spider mites love hot weather and dry, dusty leaves. A weekly blast of water directed upward from beneath the plants can dislodge them from the undersides of the leaves. If you do a thorough blasting of the foliage, it is usually enough to keep mites in control without the need for pesticide sprays.
Tie Up Climbing Roses
Climbing roses bloom best when they are oriented in horizontal directions. Weave the long shoots back and forth horizontally across the trellis to minimize the amount you have to prune off later. Many climbers only bloom in spring and as such should not be pruned until after they bloom.