Roses

Deadheading and Pruning Roses

Q: When and how should I deadhead and prune my roses?

A: Deadheading—the removal of spent flowers—is a form of pruning. Before making pruning decisions about your roses, it is best to determine the type of rose, and how and when it blooms. Roses are divided into different types based on common characteristics.

Pruning cuts should be made on a 45-degree angle, ¼ inch above an outward-facing bud or five-leaf axil. Dead, diseased, spindly, or crossing branches can be removed at any time.

Bare-Root Roses

Q. When and how should I plant bare-root roses? 

Can I transplant a potted miniature rose?

Q. I received a potted miniature rose for Mother’s Day. Can I transplant it into my garden?

Early Spring Rose Care

Q.  What can I do now to care for my established roses?

Spring rose care

Q. What sort of spring care should I provide for my roses?

A. April is the appropriate month for some basic and necessary pruning. Pruning not only promotes improved flowering, it is essential for good overall plant health. Timing is important. Begin pruning when dormant roses begin to leaf out in the spring. It is best to wait until temperatures moderate and wide fluctuations are not predicted before undertaking rose pruning.

Using Soaker Hoses

Q. I have recently installed a soaker hose system throughout my garden. How long do I let the water run in order to water adequately?

Winterizing Roses

Q. How and when do I winterize my roses?

Rose Hips

Q. Do all rose bushes produce rose hips in the fall?

A. Some rose bushes produce hips (which are actually the fruit or ovary of the plant) after September 1, when all deadheading of roses should stop. Species roses and Rosa rugosa are known for their showy hip production, which extends well into winter and often provides food for birds and animals. Allowing the roses to "go to seed" and produce their hips is an important part of their preparation for dormancy.

How to Grow Roses

Q. How do I grow roses?

A. 

Using Epsom Salts to Fertilize Roses

Q. My neighbor puts epsom salts in the soil around his rose bushes instead of fertilizer. Is there any advantage to this?

Watering During a Drought

Q: Please advise on watering techniques during a drought.