How to Care for Roses in the Summer: 5 Tips

At April & Ashley, we always look forward to the abundant blooms of the summer. But just like us humans, roses need to stay hydrated and conserve energy to withstand the hot temperatures. In this guide, we’ll show you how to tailor your gardening practices to help your roses stay healthy through any heatwave that comes their way. 

2 Signs of Heat Stress in Roses

In the hottest months of the summer, your roses could suffer from stress due to quicker water evaporation and dehydration. Luckily, roses are excellent communicators and will let you know when they start to overheat. Different varieties may respond in different ways, but common symptoms of heat stress in roses are:

• Wilted or dropping leaves

• Premature falling of leaves

• Yellowing or browning of leaves

• Scorched leaves with brown, crispy edges

• Reduced flowering

These symptoms weaken your roses and create an environment where pests are more likely to invade. For details on pest management methods, read our blog on What Kinds of Pesticides to Use for Roses.

Smart Watering Strategies

Roses are thirsty plants – and even more so in the summer heat. They typically require 3-5 gallons per week, but it’s important to be mindful about how you water them. Here are a few pro tips to ensure your roses stay hydrated through any heat wave:

• Water deeply & infrequently: Allowing time between waterings lets the roots dry out a little and prevent rot. 

• Water in the early morning: This allows the roots to absorb an adequate amount of moisture before evaporating in the midday sun.

• Water at the base of the plant: Overhead watering can cause a buildup of moisture on the foliage – making your roses more susceptible to disease. Check out our blog 5 Growing Techniques for Rose Gardens to learn about efficient watering methods such as drip irrigation and soaker hoses.

• Check soil moisture regularly: Simply stick your fingers in the soil 2-3 inches deep. If it feels dry, it’s time to get the watering can – even if it’s off-schedule! 
  

Mulch for Moisture & Cool Roots

Mulching your roses provides an extra layer of insulation from the hot temperatures – helping to keep the roots cool, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. It even provides your roses with much-needed nutrients as it decomposes. This is especially important since fertilizing your roses during a heatwave can cause added stress. Our top tips for effective mulching are:

• Remove fallen debris and dead leaves from the base of the rose. 

• Apply a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch – covering the width of the base. Leave space between the mulch and the canes so your roses can breathe and prevent excess moisture.

• Our favorite materials to mulch with are aged manure, bark chips, straw, shredded leaves, and compost.

Light Pruning & Deadheading for Energy Conservation

Equip your roses to handle the summer heat by lightly pruning and deadheading. 

Cut out and dispose of any dead, damaged, or diseased canes to encourage new, healthy growth and allow for proper air circulation. But pruning too heavily in a heatwave can force your roses to spend too much of its energy on new growth – adding to stress already caused by the intense heat. For more pruning guidelines, read our blog on How to Maintain a Healthy Rose Garden All Season Long.

Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms. This will help your roses conserve energy in hot temperatures by redirecting it towards new blooms in the fall instead of producing rose hips.

Fertilize Lightly

No matter what time of year, providing your roses with nutrients is essential to their wellbeing. But be aware that fertilizing during extreme heat (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit) can cause added stress to the plant. 

To avoid weakening your roses, you can rely on your compost mulch to feed them. If you do decide to fertilize your roses throughout the summer, apply lightly and water well before and after feeding.

Shade & Shelter Options

Roses are sunbathers by nature and require 6+ hours of sunlight per day. But in the extreme heat, it can be beneficial to provide them with a little afternoon shade. 

For potted roses, you can easily place them in partial shade during peak sunlight hours. Consider grouping them so they can shield each other from the sun and minimize heat stress.

For roses planted in the ground, consider using a temporary shade cloth or umbrella to give them that much-needed relief from the heat. 

While it can be tempting, avoid planting new roses in the summertime. Roses need time to establish their roots before the hot temperatures arrive – giving them the best chance at survival. 

Never fear the inevitable scorching summer temperatures. With careful watering, pruning/deadheading and fertilization, no heatwave will stand in the way of your roses’ beautiful blooms. Visit April & Ashley to browse our collections of premium rose bushes – delivered straight from our farm to your doorstep.