The beauty of roses has captured the imagination of all who gaze upon them from the beginning of time to present day. Roses hold a place of honor among gardens around the world and first cultivated in the breathtaking gardens of China. A new rose bush can bring decades of splendor and enjoyment. When you bring home your new rose bush, it is essential to understand the planting requirements. The first few months are critical for the plant’s survival. Roses will grow and thrive without the benefit of your knowledge nevertheless, a bit of knowledge on their requirements will not hurt them at all.
Before you buy your new rose bush, consider a few questions to help you decide what type of roses you are looking for. Do you want a climbing rose or one that is more of a fragrant ground cover? Consider where you are going to plant the rose bush: on a steep bank or a prepared bed? If you do not know what zone you are in this is the time to find out, also what is your soil like – will you need to add fertilizer to help your rose bush grow? Once you have considered these questions, it is time to plant and enjoy your beautiful rose bush.
When you purchase your new rosebush, it will probably be un-planted and its roots wrapped in moss. Until the time you are able to plant the rosebush properly you need to keep the plant moist and cold. The rosebush can survive outside the soil for a certain amount of time but you do want to try to plant it as soon as you can. Rose bushes are dormant during the winter; this is the best time to buy them. They begin to bloom and grow during the spring months; it is critical to plant before this time. When you plant your rose bush in the ground, make sure that it is securely rooted in the ground before it begins sprouting new shoots. Ideal planting months are March and April.
To begin planting your new rose bush determine where you are going to place it. The areas should get a minimum of six hours of sunlight every day and the soil should have good drainage. If you have decided you absolutely need more than one beautiful rose bush, make sure that you plant them approximately two to ten feet apart, depending on the type of rose bush you have purchased. The reason for this is that as they grow they will need the air to circulate between them to keep them from developing any diseases. If you plant them to close together, they will begin to crowd each other. Before placing your rose bush in your garden, it needs to soak in water for 24 hours before planting. This will prepare it for the change of going into the soil.
Once you have planted your new rose bush, mulch the surrounding area. You do not want to smother the plant with mulch so leave a space of several inches around the rose bush that is free of mulch. The reason for this is that if you place the mulch to closely to the rose bush rotting can occur. The first few days after you have planted, your new rose bush is very critical. Consider building a small basin of soil around the base of your rose bush, this will help it retain water. Daily water the rose bush for the first week and then you can begin watering it every few days adjusting your watering schedule according to the weather.
When you begin to see new shoots coming out of the mound of dirt surrounding your rose, it is time to wash the pile away. This is an indication that your rose bush is growing. Now that you have a beautiful rose bush that is developing new shoots, do not forget that it will require you to take care of it throughout its lifetime. You may want to look into fertilizer made expressly for rose bushes and add it around your bush every few months. It is important to weed your garden and keep debris away from your rose bush. When you do this, you lessen the chance of pests and diseases attacking your beautiful roses.