Tips For Rose Bush Care and Maintenance

Roses are really one of the simplest flowers to grow and will make your yard the envy of the neighborhood. There are so many varieties to choose from. There are three main things to keep in mind when it comes to rose bush care. First, is rose bush choice, second, is how much water and fertilizer, and finally, apprpriate pruning. I would suggest getting a guide such as The Ultimate Book of Roses. It is a well written guide and very easy to understand with lots of tips on growing fabulous blooms.

The type of rose bush you select is of utmost importance. For successfull rose bush gardening choose one that will thrive in your location. Some types can be problematic due to their tendancy towards disease and fungus. But there are several types that are generally quite hardy and need very little rose bush care. If you are just staking out a rose garden make sure they are well spaced for maximum growth potential. They will require at least 5 hours of sunshine so plant them in an area you know will accommodate that need.

The appropriate amount of watering and feeding is a necessary ingredient for good rose bush care. An early morning soaking at the root base is the best prescription for ultimate bloom potential. When a rose bush has just been planted it is advisable to water it everyday for the first two weeks. Once a week watering is good unless you see that it seems to be drying out quickly. Enable to keep the ground around your roses wet and weed free surround the bush with some type of mulch.

Feed and fertilize once a month from Spring through the first frost in the Fall. Find a good rose food at your local nursery with which to feed your roses. For best results, do NOT fertilize during the winter.

The biggest mistake most growers make in their effort to give good rose bush care is pruning. Just prune off the dead flowers or limbs. To boost growth and blooms, count up from the branch three nodes (the small reddish growth lines) and cut there. Prune back your plants in January or February to promote maximum spring growth.

Again, The Ulitmate Book of Roses has delightful descriptions with beautiful photographs of the different rose varieties as well as much more information.