Known as the backyard prima donna, roses can be difficult to grow and attract a variety of pests and diseases.
But this is not a fair assessment: after all, if they were so unwieldy, would gardeners have tried to grow them successfully for centuries?
In fact, roses are surprisingly hardy plants that, with the right care, can thrive in a variety of environments, even those with little rainfall. Here we introduce the best rose varieties to grow in a dry garden and give you some tips on how to get the most out of your flowers in dry conditions.
Roses may be the star of the garden ball, but they are hardy plants that thrive in harsh environments.
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Are roses drought tolerant?
Not all types of roses are suited to dry environments, and if you live in a hot, dry climate, such as U.S. hardiness zone 10, with little rain, certain types should be avoided.
For example, hybrid tea roses are more delicate, less cold-hardy roses that often have long, thin stems and are popular for floral arrangements. These roses don't have the drought tolerance needed for dry climates. They require a lot of work, care, and watering, and even then, they may not thrive. But don't worry, there are other options that are better for dry gardens.
Best Drought Tolerant Roses to Cultivate
1. Iceberg
Beautiful white flowers of the drought-tolerant “Iceberg” rose
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“Iceberg” is a versatile floribunda with a light, sweet fragrance. It can be grown as a medium-sized shrub or as a climbing rose that grows up to 12 feet tall. It typically produces white flowers, but pink and burgundy varieties are also available.
“Iceberg” can be ordered online from Walmart, and this variety easily tolerates dry weather.
2. Hansa
“Hansa” is a member of the Rugosa Rosaceae family that produces attractive flowers in the fall.
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'Hansa' is a wild rose, Rosa rugosa, that produces large double magenta flowers in summer and striking rose petals in autumn and winter. It is a hardy plant that can withstand both intense summer heat and frosty winter conditions.
Rosa rugosa plants can be ordered online from Walmart.
3. Arctic Blue
'Arctic Blue' produces unusual lilac/purple flowers with bright gold centers.
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“Arctic Blue” is a shrub rose with unusual double-petaled flowers in shades of purple and lilac, a citrus scent and good heat and drought tolerance.
“Arctic Blue” can be ordered online from Walmart.
4. Lemon Fizz
What Rosa “Lemon Fizz” lacks in aroma, it makes up for in brightness and longevity.
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'Lemon Fizz' produces canary yellow, semi-double flowers that cover the shrub from spring until the first frost. It has no particular fragrance, but is a stunning golden rose that sparkles in the sun. This rose grows well in climates with hot, dry summers.
“Lemon Fizz” is available at Walmart.
5. Seafoam
Rosa 'Seafoam' is a good ground cover variety.
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“Seafoam” is an unusual groundcover rose that looks spectacular when planted at the edge of a flower bed or allowed to hang from a large container in less dry areas. It grows to about 3 feet tall and produces ivory-colored flowers from spring through fall.
“Seafoam” grows in full shade or sun and has the added benefit of helping to conserve moisture by covering the soil. “Seafoam” can be purchased at Walmart.
Tips for Growing Drought Tolerant Roses
Choose the right location
Roses need at least six hours of sunlight per day to produce their best blooms.
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Roses are very sensitive to lighting, so don't be mistaken into thinking that providing shade in the garden will help them tolerate drought better.
All rose varieties, including the most fragrant ones, require at least six hours of sun for maximum flowering, so choose a rose suitable for the sunniest spot in your garden before planting.
Even though this may seem like a harsh, hostile environment, roses should thrive if they are watered well and mulched liberally to retain moisture. The ideal location is a sunny spot that is sheltered from the elements and not surrounded by trees.
How to plant roses
Proper planting will help your roses survive the worst of weather.
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Growing healthy roses in all conditions, not just dry sites, starts with proper planting techniques.
The best time to plant is in the fall, when the soil still retains the warmth of summer but is moist from rain, or in mid-spring, when the soil is warming but still retains winter moisture.
Unrooted roses are plants sold without soil, but with roots, and are readily available from fall through to early spring. They are usually cheaper to purchase than potted roses, and grow in a similar way to potted roses.
With your rose plant still inserted in a bowl of water, dig a hole large enough to accommodate all of the roots and add bone meal, which you can buy at Walmart, or well-composted compost or fertilizer.
Next, carefully spread out the bare roots, or loosen the root ball of a potted rose, and plant it in the hole so that the knotty graft where the rootstock joins the flower stem is just at soil level (add or remove soil to make the hole the correct depth).
Then pack soil and compost around the roots to support the rose and eliminate air pockets, making sure it's firmly in place.
Water roses thoroughly and top the soil with a thick layer of compost or fertilizer to keep the roots warm, nourished, and moist. Don't let wet mulch come into contact with rose stems, as it can soften and rot. Mulch is essential for roses growing in dry climates. A thick layer of mulch helps retain moisture in your flower beds.
Once the roses have taken root, water them thoroughly, but not soaking.
Using mulch is an ideal way to retain moisture in the soil during dry, hot weather.
Improved drought tolerance
When watering roses, water at the base so the ground is moist.
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Watering your roses correctly and at the right times of the day is one of the best ways to increase your plant's drought tolerance.
All plants need regular watering initially to allow them to establish. Ideally, you should water roses in the early morning and evening when temperatures are cooler so that evaporation of water is slower.
Watering deeply two to three times a week is more effective than a little each day, but be careful not to overwater as this can cause root rot.
Save money during droughts by collecting rainwater and as much grey water as possible (water used for washing dishes that doesn't contain much food waste or bleach) and building a reservoir.
Consider installing water barrels or building rain gutters so you don't have to rely on tap water to water your plants.
FAQ
What care do roses require?
Water generously during very dry periods, and apply an all-purpose fertiliser in spring and a mulch of well-composted compost and manure in winter to nourish the roots and retain moisture in the soil.
What grows well with drought tolerant roses?
When it comes to drought-tolerant companion plants for roses, you're spoilt for choice: many plants suitable for Mediterranean gardens will do well alongside roses, including cistus, lupines and many ground cover plants.
Consider herbs like Russian sage and lavender, whose gray-green leaves complement the glossy foliage of roses, and their scent also helps repel pests.
Can you grow roses in containers?
Many types of roses can be grown in pots, but this can be a daunting task for gardeners in growing areas that don't receive much rain.
Potted plants, especially fast-growing varieties, require lots of watering and fertilizing because they quickly use up the moisture and nutrients in the potting soil.
So although they can be grown in pots, in areas with little rainfall they are best grown in the ground where their roots can spread out and find water.
Roses are grown for their summer color and fragrance, but if you refrain from picking the flowers, they will also produce fruit in the fall. The red and orange berries add color and charm to your backyard in winter and provide food for garden birds.
