GROWING & CARING
FOR ROSES
Roses are among the most beloved flowers in the world, and have been cultivated for thousands of years. These long-lived flowering shrubs are valued for their ornamental blooms, fragrance, and seasonal presence in the landscape. Modern breeding has produced thousands of cultivars adapted to a wide range of climates, growth habits, and garden uses. With proper site selection and routine care, roses can thrive for decades.
Sun & space: Pick spots with 6+ hours of sun and good air flow; crowding = disease pressure
Disease resistance first: If black spot/mildew are common where you garden (PNW), prioritize modern disease-resistant cultivars or tough species/old garden roses
Form & use: Hybrid tea (cut flowers), floribunda (clusters), grandiflora (taller clusters), shrub/English (full plants, repeat bloom), climbers (walls/arches), mini/patio (containers), groundcovers (edging)
CHOOSING ROSES
Soil: Well-drained, rich in organic matter; target pH ~6.0–6.5
Air flow: Avoid tight corners/overhead irrigation where leaves stay wet
Spacing: 30–42 in. for most roses; climbers 8–10 ft on the support
Why: Drainage + sun + spacing are the three biggest levers for fewer diseases and better bloom sets
SITE & SOIL
Bare-root: Plant in late winter–early spring; soak roots, spread over a soil cone, backfill, water well.
Potted: Plant anytime ground isn’t frozen/very hot; loosen roots, set at same depth, water deeply.
Mulch: Apply 1–2 in., keeping clear of canes.
Why: Correct depth + firm backfill + immediate watering prevents settling and die-back; mulch stabilizes moisture/temperature.
PLANTING
Goal: Deep, infrequent watering to 8–12 in. soil depth; keep foliage dry (soaker/drip)
Rule of thumb: In summer, most in-ground roses need ~1–2 in. of water/week total (rain + irrigation). Containers: check daily in heat
Why: Even moisture reduces stress, petal scorch, and bud drop; dry foliage reduces foliar disease.
WATERING
When: Twice per season for repeat-flowering types—early spring as growth starts; again after the first flush
What: Balanced rose fertilizer or general granular; scratch in lightly and water; always mulch after feeding
Why: Timed feeding supports continuous bloom without forcing soft, disease-prone growth.
FEEDING
Depth: Apply 2–3 in. of compost, shredded bark, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure; keep a few inches away from canes to prevent rot.
Benefits: Conserves soil moisture, regulates root temperature, suppresses weeds, and reduces soil splash that spreads disease.
Seasonal care: Refresh in late winter or early spring after pruning, and top up in midsummer if mulch has broken down.
Extra tip: Organic mulches gradually improve soil structure and fertility as they decompose.
MULCHING
Timing: Late winter to very early spring—when buds just swell (often “after forsythia blooms”). If you miss it, tidy after the first flush.
1. Remove dead, diseased, damaged, and crossing canes
2. Open the center for airflow
3. Cut to outward-facing buds at a slight angle ~¼ in. above a node
Hybrid tea / Grandiflora: Reduce to 3–5 canes, shorten by ⅓–½
Floribunda: Keep more canes; shorten by ~⅓; favor a rounded framework
Shrub/English: Light-to-moderate thinning; reduce overall height ¼–⅓; every few years, remove a couple of oldest canes to the base (renewal)
Climbers: In late winter, tie laterals horizontally; keep long main canes; after bloom, shorten the side shoots to 2–5 buds
Once-blooming heirlooms: Prune after they flower (not in late winter) to avoid removing buds
PRUNING
GARDEN TOURS • OREGON
Peninsula Park
Rose Garden
The Peninsula Park Rose Garden features thousands of roses in formal beds surrounding a sunken garden, with tree-lined paths, classical design, and a setting within one of Portland’s oldest city parks, offering seasonal color, fragrance, historic charm, and a peaceful atmosphere for visitors.
Rose Flower Forms
Roses display an extraordinary range of flower forms, each defined by its shape, petal arrangement, and overall presence. From simple, open blooms to richly layered, full blossoms, these forms create distinct looks and moods in the garden. This diversity allows roses to complement many landscape styles, adding elegance, softness, or dramatic focal points while enhancing borders, mixed plantings, and floral arrangements.
