Roses should be grown in full sun for best growth and flowering. Your site should receive direct sun for at least one half a day. Air movement is an important aid in preventing fungal infections such as blackspot. If there is poor air circulation humidity levels will be higher and the incidence of disease higher.

SOIL

Roses grow best in soil that is well-drained but holds sufficient moisture for good growth. The addition of organic matter will increase the water holding capacity of your soils and will help create soils active soil life. Such soils release more nutrients to your rose. Organic mulches such as shredded bark will also aid in keeping moisture levels high and will be incorporated into the humus as they decompose. Test your soil's acidity. Roses prefer a soil pH of 6.5. If your soil is too acid (lower number) add lime. If it is too alkaline (above 7.5) add sulfur. If you are using soluble fertilizer do not fertilize after early August as this may encourage late, soft growth which will be more likely to winterkill.

PLANTING

When planting bare root roses, dig a hole sufficient in size to spread the root system. Remember that width is more important than depth, as most roots grow within 6 in. of the surface. If your soil is a sandy or gravelly type, add compost, rotted manure or other organic amendments. Do not put fresh manure or fertilizer near the roots or they may burn. If you soil is a heavy clay, we advise planting your rose with the clay soil and placing your soil amendments in the surface layer and mulching. If a light soil mix is put in a hole dug in clay the hole will tend to fill with water in wet weather and dry out rapidly in dry weather. If you are planting potted roses, remove the plant and soil ball from the pot and tease out any spirally roots. Pack your earth firmly around the pot soil ball. After your rose is planted, water your plant until the grow is saturated. Water your new rose regularly during the first spring and summer, keeping it moist but not wet.

PRUNING

Although it is not necessary to prune newly planted roses, we advise cutting them back to encourage a few strong shoots from the base. Roses are a suckering plant by nature. As they age, remove the old canes and allow the new shoots to grow. If your shrub begins to grow too large, trim the entire plant back. Pruning can be done in either late fall or early spring. If unwanted shoots spread to adjacent areas, pull these back to the base of the rose and remove.