Growing hybrid tea and floribunda roses in the Pacific Northwest in Spring - Tips for Growing Flowers

Growing hybrid tea and floribunda roses in the Pacific Northwest in Spring
All-America Rose Selections

Regional Growing Guide: Pacific Northwest

Season - Spring

Overview

Growing hybrid tea and floribunda roses in the Pacific Northwest can be a challenge because despite all the coddling we give them, our cool, wet summers are not at all to their liking. I've found that the best approach is planting the most disease-resistant varieties I can find and providing them with full sunshine and lots of elbow room. Proper pruning is another key to success.

Choosing Varieties

Rose breeders always label their roses if they're especially resistant to common fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust, or black spot. AARS winning roses are always a good bet. Our roses are tested throughout the country to bring you the most disease resistant varieties. Take a look at our new program, Region's Choice, to find the best roses for the Pacific Northwest.

Yearly Pruning

The purpose of pruning roses is to promote good health and stimulate blooming. Late winter or early spring -- just when the buds begin to swell -- is the best time to prune. You'll need hand pruners, long-handled loppers, and a good pair of leather gloves. Wear long sleeves to protect your arms from scratches, and before beginning, make sure your tools are sharp. Dull blades will leave ragged edges, an open invitation to disease and insect pests

Planting Roses

Choose a spot in full sun -- at least 6 hours per day. Roses require as much sun as you can provide and a bit of pampering, which begins at planting time. Ideally, you'll have prepared the garden bed by amending the soil with compost. At the very least, plan to add some compost to the hole at planting time. In heavy clay soil consider planting roses in raised beds using a mix of potting soil and compost in the hole. Also, it's a good idea to have your soil tested before planting; if soil test results show the soil is low in phosphorous, you'll want to add a handful of high phosphate fertilizer to the planting hole.

Roses are available as either container-grown stock or as bare-root plants; following are instructions on planting both types.

Planting Bare-Root Roses

Bare-root rose plants are available during the dormant season and are the most economical way to plant roses. The roses you see boxed up or wrapped in plastic are bare-root -- the roots are packed in moist sawdust or shredded newspaper. Roses ordered by mail will arrive bare-root. Some experts believe that bare-root stock acclimates to particular soil conditions better than roses planted from container stock.

When planting a bare-root rose, begin by unwrapping the plant and soaking the roots in water for several hours. While it's soaking, dig a deep hole -- at least 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Amend the soil you removed from the hole with compost; then build a cone of this soil in the bottom of the hole. Remove the rose from the water, trim any damaged or extra long roots, then place the plant in the hole, draping the roots around the soil cone you made in the center. Position the plant so the graft (the swelling between the roots and the cane) sits at or just above ground level.

Add some soil to support the roots, then add more soil, firming it over the roots. When the hole is half full, fill it with water. Let it soak in, then fill in the rest of the soil, then water well.

Once the rose is in place, after planting apply an organic mulch such as fir bark compost. Prune off any damaged or crossing canes, and you're done.

Planting Container Roses

When planting container-grown roses, dig a hole at least 18 inches deep and wide. You will not need to build the soil cone at the bottom of the hole. Check the plant for damaged canes and prune them. Make sure the soil ball is moist throughout; if it isn't, soak it for a few hours. Then gently tip the plant from the pot, trying not to disturb the roots. Set the plant inside the prepared hole and check the level of the plant. Remember, you want the bud union at or just above ground level. Adjust the soil in the hole if necessary. Fill in with soil and tamp it down with your hands as you fill the hole so the roots are supported snugly in the new site. Water once when the hole is half filled, and again when you are done planting. Once the plant is in place, mulch the area around the plant.

Quick tips

Finding the Right Site

Roses do best when they get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun dries the foliage earliest in the day, which may be wet from overnight rainfall or morning dew. Dampness can encourage fungal diseases, so to preventproblems provide adequate sunshine and air circulation around each plant.

No Room for Roses?

Roses grow well in containers if garden space is at a premium. Use a 16" pot to accommodate roots, and fill with a good grade of commercial potting soil. Remember that container roses must have winter protection because their roots are exposed to winter air temperatures. Put the pots on wheels and wheel them into an unheated garage for the winter

Preventing Rose Diseases

The best way to control fungal diseases is to prevent them. Water early in the morning, avoid wetting the leaves, provide good air circulation and be vigilant! When that fails, institute a preventive fungicidal spray program.

Curtailing Cane Borers

To stop cane borers from doing further damage, you have to prune back the affected canes below the hole. Inspect your canes for signs of recent activity. You can pull the grubs out of the holes by hand. Then seal the hole with a dab of Elmer's glue or a thumbtack.

Homemade Fertilizer for Roses

Banana peels make an excellent fertilizer for your roses. They add potassium -- which is needed for big beautiful blooms -- to your soil. Potassium also promotes plant vigor. For best results, shred the banana peels into small pieces. One application a month is all that's needed.

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