Choosing the Right Rose Bushes

Most flower gardeners agree that the rose is one of the most beautiful plants in the garden. The best place to start looking for roses for your garden is your own mailbox. Mail-order catalogs offer a staggering amount of roses, so narrowing your choices can be overwhelming. Just because the pictures of the roses in the catalog look brilliant, that doesn't mean that they grow and bloom optimally in your garden. Before you peruse that catalog or visit your garden center, you first need to consider three things in order to grow roses successfully in your yard:

• Will you have enough space? Roses do not grow well in crowded conditions, and can develop diseases if there is little air movement between plants. Depending on the variety you choose, you will need to leave space between plants from six inches up to eight feet. Consider the plant size when it is fully mature, then plant the roses to leave the required space between each bush.
• Will there be enough sunlight? Since most roses need at least six hours of full sunlight each day, plant them in areas away from shade trees and buildings, and in open areas away from towering bushes that might cast shade.
• Do you have the right soil? Roses are finicky about the dirt in which they grow. They grow best in slightly acidic soil, with a pH range of 6.5 to 6.8. You can test your soil with a home soil test kit purchased at your garden center. Roses will rot and die if their roots get too wet. Make sure your soil drains well, and never allows water to pool around the base of the plant.

Once you determine space, sunlight, and soil requirements, then you can decide which type of rose best suits your needs. There are several classifications of roses, each with benefits and drawbacks. By understanding the different types of roses, and their perks and quirks, you can better choose which type will grow best in your garden and fit your lifestyle. Research garden catalogs or information online to determine the type of rose you need.

Other factors to consider before planting are color, size, climate, and maintenance. Choose colors that will compliment the other flowers in your garden. Ensure that you have enough space to grow roses in quantity. Select roses appropriate for the zone in which you live. How much time are you willing to spend cultivating your roses? Choose roses to fit your lifestyle. Some varieties are high maintenance, while others require periodic cutting and watering. While roses are stunning when in full bloom, most require a lot of care. If you're not willing to spend a lot of time caring for them, be sure to choose varieties that are hardy and productive.