As rose enthusiasts, the arrival of springtime brings a flurry of excitement to us all. But before the winter comes to a close, there are a few things we need to do to prepare for the season ahead. Here are our top tips for setting your rose garden up for success this spring. 

Choose the Perfect Location:

Planning your rose garden involves a little bit of strategy. Fulfill a few of their basic needs, and they’ll thank you with beautiful, healthy blooms. Here are the top criteria for choosing the perfect location to plant your roses:

• Roses crave sunlight – so plant them in a spot that gets at least 6 hours per day. If planted in a shady site,  your roses may not bloom as prolifically. If this isn’t possible in your garden, try to find a location where they’ll at least get morning sun.

• If roses had a pet peeve – it would be having wet feet. Choose a site with good drainage to help keep the roots dry. 

• Avoid overcrowding for adequate air flow. This will allow the roots to spread out and reach their maximum growth potential.
  
  

Choose the Right Rose for Your Garden:

We may be tempted to select a rose based on its beauty alone, but there are so many other factors to consider. When planning your spring rose garden, consider the following:

• Climate & hardiness zone: It’s crucial to choose a rose that will thrive under the conditions in your location. Check out our [Guide to Hardiness Zones & What They Mean] to get a deeper understanding. 

• Maintenance: How much time are you willing to spend on pruning, fertilizing, and other rose care tasks? Keep in mind that repeat bloomers need to be fed and pruned more than one-time bloomers. 

• Color & fragrance: Think about the kind of aesthetic you want to achieve in your rose garden. Do you prefer warm tones – like our Alfred Sisley™, or cool tones – like our Pacific Blue™?
  For a strong and fruity fragrance, consider our Peach Swirl™. For something lighter, try our exquisite In the Pink™.

• Space: Are you looking to fill a large plot or a smaller area? If you’re limited on garden space, you can plant small-blooming floribundas and miniature roses in pots or containers. You can also move these to a patio or deck space if you wish.

Prepare the Soil for Optimal Growth:

A key part of planning a flourishing spring rose garden is assessing the soil. Roses are most comfortable in loose, sandy loam. This type of soil allows for good drainage – ensuring the roots won’t get soggy and avoiding rot.

An easy way to determine if you need to amend your soil is to dig a hole, fill it with water, and see how long it takes for the water to drain. If it’s taking longer than 30 minutes, add compost and organic matter to enrich the soil, loosen it up, and prepare it for planting. This will allow your roses to receive the nutrients they need and absorb just enough moisture for healthy growth. Consider adding a hardwood mulch on top of the soil to allow it to break down. 

Conduct a soil test to determine the pH level and which nutrients are already in your soil. This will help you decide what kind of fertilizer to use. You can purchase a soil test kit from your local garden center or online.

Roses enjoy a little bit of acidity – somewhere between 6.5-7.0 pH. If the pH level is too high, you can add ammonium-based fertilizer, elemental sulfur, or peat moss to lower it. On the other hand, you can use nitrate-based fertilizer or ground limestone to raise the pH.

Design Your Rose Garden Layout:

Bring your spring rose garden dreams to life with a layout that appeals to your visual tastes. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few ideas to get your wheels turning:

• Create a walkway: A charming way to welcome visitors and provide accessibility to your roses. You can line your walkway with potted or hedge roses, or frame it with an arch, pergola, or obelisk.

• Use arches or pergolas: Climbing and rambling roses can be trained to grow over these elegant structures. They can serve as a frame for your garden or walkway. 

• Use obelisks: A lovely addition to your garden that can be used to frame a path or walkway. Allows for vertical growth and can be used to support climbing roses, hybrid tea roses, and traditional shrub roses. 

Before the spring rolls in, it’s a good idea to get a head start on planning your rose garden. With the right location, rose type, and soil, your roses will be primed for a season full of beautiful blooms that you can enjoy for years to come.

Ready to start planning? Browse our collection of premium rose bushes and find the perfect one for your garden this spring.

Happy Gardening!

April & Ashley