Roses are among the easiest plants to grow. They last for many years and offer up plenty of fragrant flowers that will attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to your yard. Maryland offers an ideal climate for roses and they will bloom from spring to mid-fall, with June beginning their peak bloom, as long as they are properly cared for.
Watering
As long as you have well-draining soil you cannot over water your roses. However, you’ll want to ensure that you’re watering from the bottom up and that you’re soaking the soil thoroughly. Avoid sprinkling water on the rose plant itself as this can cause the leaves to spot. If your soil does not drain well, you’ll want to add some mulch to your flowerbeds to help retain the water without causing the roots of your plants to rot. Water your roses deeply whenever the soil dries out.
Pruning
Not all rose plants will require pruning; however, if you do wish to trim them up, spring to early-summer is usually the ideal time to do so. To prune your rose bush, simply remove any dead or diseased wood from the plant. You should also cut back any areas that are too thick with foliage. This will give the rest of the plant greater access to the sun’s nourishment, allowing the flowers to bloom more prolifically.
Also, when cutting your roses back, be sure to remove any leaves that appear to be carrying eggs or larvae on their undersides. The resulting creatures will eat the plant and leave it more susceptible to disease. Always rake up and remove all of the debris after pruning to ensure that your roses aren’t re-infected with diseases or larvae.
Fertilizing
Just after pruning is the ideal time to add fertilizer to your roses. Most rose types are heavy feeders, so if you notice your plants are not blooming as well as your neighbors’, they may not be getting enough nutrients. You’ll be amazed at the difference a commercial grade fertilizer will make on your rose buds.
To fertilize, gently spread the chosen fertilizer around the base of each rose plant and at the drip line. Gently work this into the soil and then water deeply so that it will soak into the ground around the plant. Make sure to follow the label for the amount to use as overfeeding can cause harm. Using commercial grade fertilizer once every two weeks will help your roses to grow to their fullest potential.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you will be able to enjoy your very own beautiful, fragrant rose garden every spring, summer, and fall.
Questions about your rose bushes? Contact our experts here, they’re happy to help.