Perhaps no flower has inspired more poetry, art and prose than the rose. From formal rose gardens surrounded by boxwood hedges to cottage gardens bursting with roses, foxgloves and native flowers, these layered flowers are held up as centerpieces in gardens, carefully pruned into formal arrangements and cascading blooms that twine around attractive trellises.
But the idea of creating a rose garden is often considered a daunting project. Rose gardens have a reputation for being fickle, and planning one can seem like a daunting task. But these two experts have tips on how to plan, plant, and maintain a successful rose garden.
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How to Plan a Rose Garden
“It all comes down to style, visibility and soil,” Lee explains. “Style – what kind of rose garden do you envision? A formal bed surrounded by boxwood hedges, a relaxed country fence with a pastoral vista, or container roses for a patio or garden with limited space?”
Select a Site
Like real estate, planning a rose garden is all about location, location, location. While you can control the types of roses you plant, how you care for them, and even the nutrients in the soil, you can't control the climate or sun of the spot you choose.
“Roses need at least six hours of sun a day, preferably morning sun, which protects them from the hot sun and wind in July and August as the summer drags on,” says Lee, adding that good ventilation is also essential.
Whether the rose garden you envision is a formal arrangement or a looser, more casual cottage garden, make sure you have enough space to plant roses in it.
Prepare the soil
“Success starts in the bottom inches of the soil: preparing the planting site, tilling the soil and nourishing the soil with compost and other necessary amendments,” says Lee. Roses will thrive if the soil is already prepared when you plant.
Think about color
Color is, of course, central to planting a rose garden. You usually don't mix colors without planning (though using a variety of colors is a good idea), but instead focus on an intentional palette.
“If you want to create a calming space, choose cool colours and use three of the same flower type. If you want your garden to be lively and fun, choose bright colours or combine different types,” explains Janie.
Try just pink and red or yellow and orange hues, and add some white for a palate cleanser.
Choosing the right type of rose
Once you've narrowed down your colors, the next step is to choose a rose variety that will thrive in your garden – the options are nearly endless.
To narrow down your options, Janney suggests thinking about why you want to plant roses in your garden: “If you love bringing cut flowers indoors, choose varieties known for their vigorous repeat blooms. Choose climbing roses to cover fences, arches and entryways. If you're someone who enjoys using all your senses in the garden and enjoying a variety of scents, choose roses known for their pleasant fragrances.”
Of course, there are some popular varieties that you'll see time and time again in rose gardens, and for good reason. Here are some of our favorite perennials:
David Austin 'The Generous Gardner': “I love this climbing rose for its vigor and the fragrance of its flowers. I find it easy to grow, as long as you have the space and the right trellis,” says Lee. Jackson & Perkins 'Iceberg': This white shrub rose produces fragrant, honey-like flowers from late spring to late fall. “I love this one for flower beds because it blooms right above the boxwood,” says Lee. Lady Banks: This rambler is popular for planting along fences, and its abundant flower clusters are one of the first to bloom in spring. “I like to hedge them in boxes over fences where privacy and formality are needed,” adds Lee. Drift Rose: This is a popular beginner rose that will bloom all season long. “It's also a great choice for easy care as it doesn't require much pruning and you can trim it back to control growth and encourage flowering again,” says Lee.
Janie recommends that beginners choose roses that will repeat bloom: “Roses flower best in the spring, but many varieties will continue to bloom until October, or until the first frost. Seeing your choices return in beautiful flowers is always rewarding for the beginning gardener,” Janie says.
Add other garden flowers
While roses are great on their own in your garden, it's often the flowers you plant them with that really bring the magic to a space. Janie suggests pairing roses with catmint, salvia, foxglove, scabiosa and cornflowers. “All traditional cottage flowers pair beautifully with roses,” she says.
“Many gardeners choose to grow clematis through climbing roses and choose clematis varieties that bloom in the opposite direction to the roses to ensure continued blooms throughout the season,” Janney adds.
Fill in with beneficial companion plants
In addition to the flowers that add color, height and texture to your rose garden, there are companion plants that attract pollinators and beneficial insects and improve soil quality.
“Beneficial companion plants for rose gardens include chives, alliums, herbs and catmint. Some garden annuals, such as zinnias and cosmos, can act as traps to attract aphids away from the roses,” says Lee.
Rose Garden Care Tips
No matter what variety of rose you choose, the best way to ensure your garden continues to have beautiful blooms all year round is to care for them: watering well, removing dead flowers, and pruning. Even the lowest-maintenance roses don't require no care at all.
water
When it comes to watering, roses need lots of water, but Janney explains that a big burst of watering once a week is better than a little each day, although if there's a heatwave coming up you might want to water more frequently.
fertilizer
Fertilize your roses regularly: “I like to use Espoma Rose-Tone granules, which I mix into the soil around the base of the plant,” says Lee. Water your roses after fertilizing.
Deadheading
The best way to keep repeat blooms coming is to remove the dead flowers once they've finished blooming. Simply cut or pluck off the parts of the flower that come into contact with the water. Lee adds that you should also keep the plant clean by removing any dead or dying leaves from the plant.
pruning
In addition to the usual pinching off of dead flowers, rose gardens also need a hard pruning in the early spring. “Leave the center of the rose slightly open to allow for air circulation, and remove any dead or crowded flowers,” explains Lee.
Keeps pests and diseases at bay
Roses' reputation for being prone to pests and diseases is not unfounded: “If you live in a humid area, it's important to choose roses that have proven disease resistance.”
Giving roses space is crucial, as diseases like black spot and canker spread and thrive quickly with little airflow. “Giving roses space to breathe will result in healthier plants and more abundant flowers,” Janney adds.
Powdery mildew is another common disease that usually doesn't cause any long-term harm, but can ruin your roses for a season. To prevent powdery mildew, water your roses at ground level. If you see any infected leaves, remove them.
To keep pests at bay, Lee says: “Garden pests such as beetles, aphids and spider mites can be controlled by spraying with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Adding beneficial nematodes to the soil can also help prevent disease and suppress pests.”
FAQ
How do you plan a formal rose garden?
First, plan your walkways and clearance areas, making sure you have enough space to reach each rose bush and perform pruning and maintenance.
What is the easiest rose to grow?
Knockout roses are known for being easy to grow and will bloom continuously from spring until the first frost.
What companion plants will give your rose garden a cottage look?
Native flowers like coneflowers and flowers that add height and texture like foxgloves and salvias are beloved companions to a cottage rose garden.
