Growing roses

Roses have been grown in Australian gardens since the early days of European settlement, and public rose gardens in many cities and towns show how well they can do here. Roses are often seen as fussy, but many modern and old-fashioned roses are tough, long-lived and forgiving, given sun, good soil, water and an annual prune.

Types of roses

Hybrid teas. Classic large, single blooms on long stems, ideal for picking.

Floribundas. Clusters of flowers over a long season, good for mass planting.

Shrub and landscape roses. Often hardier and more disease-resistant, with less pruning.

Climbers and ramblers. Train over arches, fences, pergolas and walls.

Old garden roses. Heritage varieties, many with strong fragrance; some flower once a year.

Miniatures and patio roses. Compact roses for pots and small spaces.

Standards. Roses grafted onto a tall stem, giving a tree-like shape.

Position and soil

Roses need full sun (at least six hours of direct sun), good airflow and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid planting too close to large trees, which compete for water and nutrients and cast shade. In hot inland areas, a little afternoon shade can protect blooms. Dig in compost and well-rotted manure before planting, and check soil pH; many guides suggest slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Planting

Bare-root roses are sold in winter while dormant. Soak the roots in water for a few hours, make a mound in the bottom of the planting hole, spread the roots over it and backfill so the graft union sits just above soil level in most climates. Water in well.

Potted roses can be planted most of the year, avoiding the hottest months. Plant at the same depth as in the pot.

Space roses to allow airflow, which helps prevent disease.

Watering

Water deeply once or twice a week in warm weather rather than lightly every day, more often in heat and in sandy soils. Water at the base, not over the leaves, ideally in the morning, to reduce fungal disease. Drip irrigation suits rose beds well. Mulch to keep soil moist.

Feeding

Roses are hungry. Feed in early spring as new growth starts and again after the first flush of flowers, with a rose fertiliser or organic options such as pelletised manure, following label rates. Many gardeners give a final feed in late summer or early autumn. Avoid heavy feeding late in the season in frosty areas.

Pruning

Winter pruning. In most of southern Australia, roses are pruned while dormant in winter, around July or August. In warmer areas, pruning is often done in mid to late winter.

1. Use clean, sharp secateurs.
2. Remove dead, diseased and damaged wood.
3. Remove thin, weak and crossing stems.
4. Shorten remaining canes, cutting just above an outward-facing bud, to create an open, vase-like shape.
5. Clean up fallen leaves to reduce disease.

Climbers are pruned differently: keep strong main canes, tie them horizontally where possible to encourage flowering laterals, and shorten side shoots.

Deadheading. Through the season, cut off spent flowers to encourage more.

Common problems

Black spot. A fungal disease causing black spots on leaves, which then yellow and drop. Worse in humid, wet weather. Water at the base, remove affected leaves, improve airflow, clean up fallen leaves and choose resistant varieties. Fungicides can help; follow label directions.

Powdery mildew. A white powdery coating on leaves, common in warm days and cool nights. Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering.

Aphids. Small sap-sucking insects on new growth and buds. Squash or hose them off, and encourage ladybirds and other predators.

Two-spotted mite. Causes speckled, dull leaves in hot, dry weather. Hosing under leaves helps.

Rose scale. White crusty scale on stems. Scrub off or treat according to labels.

Common mistakes

• Planting in shade.
• Overhead watering in the evening.
• Pruning too lightly or not at all.
• Crowding plants.
• Leaving diseased leaves on the ground.

Roses in pots

Use a large pot, at least 40 centimetres wide and deep, with quality potting mix. Patio, miniature and compact shrub roses suit pots best. Water more often and feed regularly.

Choosing disease-resistant roses

Some varieties are much more resistant to black spot and mildew than others. Rose societies, public rose gardens and specialist nurseries can recommend varieties that perform well in your climate. In humid areas, disease resistance matters most.

Companion plants for roses

Low-growing plants such as catmint, lavender, alyssum and salvias look good with roses and attract beneficial insects that eat aphids. Keep companions low and away from the base of the rose so air can circulate around the stems. Avoid vigorous plants that compete for water and nutrients.

Roses in hot, dry areas

In hot inland and dry coastal areas, roses benefit from deep mulch, drip irrigation and some protection from the harshest afternoon sun. Blooms may be smaller and fade faster in extreme heat, but plants often flush again strongly in autumn. Choose varieties known to cope with heat, and water deeply before forecast heatwaves.

Rose gardens to visit

Public rose gardens are a good way to see how varieties perform in your climate before you buy. Many cities and regional towns have them, often maintained with help from local rose societies, and they are usually at their best in spring and again in autumn. Note the varieties that look healthy and flower well, and check the labels for names.

Hips, fragrance and picking

Some roses, especially species and old garden roses, produce colourful hips in autumn if you stop deadheading late in the season. Hips can look attractive and feed birds. If fragrance matters to you, smell roses in a nursery or garden before buying, because scent varies widely between varieties. For picking, cut stems in the cool of the morning, just above a leaf, and put them straight into water.

Moving an established rose

If a rose needs to move, do it in winter while it is dormant. Prune it back first, dig a wide root ball, replant at the same depth in a prepared hole and water well. Keep it watered through its first spring and summer.

Underplanting roses

Low companion plants such as catmint, lavender, alyssum and dianthus soften bare rose stems, attract beneficial insects and keep the bed looking good while roses are pruned. Keep them a little back from the base so air still moves freely.

Key points

Plant roses in full sun with good airflow and rich, well-drained soil, water deeply at the base, feed in spring and after flowering, prune in winter, deadhead through the season and watch for black spot, mildew and aphids.