A vibrant and colorful rose garden is a sight to behold, but getting a plot to that point takes some work. The plants need plenty of sunshine and a bed that caters to different varieties such as climbing or shrub roses. The flowers require an evenly moist soil to grow, and gardeners often must amend the soil to create the best environment. After selecting the types of roses to plant, gardeners need to prepare the roots and choose a planting technique based on the climate. Be sure to adequately feed the new plantings to help the rose garden thrive.
It is best to plan a rose garden in a sunny spot that gets plenty of morning to early afternoon sunlight. The sun should shine directly on the roses for four to five hours. The flowers will likely grow stronger and feature brighter colors if the garden also is partially shaded during the strong mid-afternoon sun. This placement allows the roses to get the benefits of the sun without risk of drying out and dying from overheating.
Choose a bed location that can accommodate several types of roses. Climbing roses ideally have trellises to cling to; walls prevent the air circulation the flowers need and trees eventually can choke the plants. Shrub roses need plenty of room to grow. The plants have extensive root systems, so pick an area without competing roots.
Be sure the rose garden bed has the optimal soil for the flowers to grow. The plants do best in a moist, but not wet, ground. If the ground regularly is saturated, consider adding sand to the soil. Conversely, if the soil is too dry, add loam, peat, and manure until the right moisture consistency is reached. If feasible, raising the bed is a better course of action for soil that is too wet or too dry. This is accomplished by constructing a wooden frame on top of the existing patch and filling it with soil to create the ideal conditions.
The best planting techniques depend on the type of rose the gardener chooses. Bare root roses, for example, should be planted in winter. Remove any sprouts already growing and cut back the stems to no longer than 10 inches (25.4 cm). Cut off any dead roots, gently spread out the roots, and soak the rose plant in a bucket of water overnight. Container roses, planted in spring, do not require any preparation before planting.
Consider the climate when planting the roses. In cold areas with ground freezing, plant bare root roses with the stem knob at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the soil freeze level. The stem knob should be planted at ground level in milder climates. Container roses may be planted at ground level because they are not put into the soil until the spring after the last frost.
Ensure that the rose garden is properly nourished by feeding the flowers. Use rose feed, available in garden centers, at the time of planting and with every new round of flower growth. Roses may grow best with a slow-release fertilizer replaced twice annually.