“Hi, Jim. I have two questions related to roses. I have two varieties of roses in my flower bed, although I am not sure what variety either are. The one was purchased at the Chicago Botanical Garden a few years ago. It is blooming very well although I am not sure how to prune for the remainder of the season, then how to properly prune in preparation for the winter?
The second rose bush (different variety, I believe) I thought I had removed from my garden 3 years ago, however the vines/bush (no blooms) continues to grow like mad. Since I have not had a bloom in 3 years, should I try to remove it altogether again, or is there a chance it will still bloom?”
I received the following question related to roses from my Ask Me a Question page:
My answer:
Roses come in several forms, including modern shrub, climbers and ramblers, old garden roses, and modern ever blooming such as hybrid teas, grandifloras, and floribundas. One key about all of them is that they should be pruned in early spring. You can certainly prune off any branches you would like to shape during the summer.
SPRING PRUNING OF ROSES
After the last frost has past is safest to cut into the plant without causing any form of cold damage. You can also base your pruning off of bud growth. When the buds have begun to swell, it is normally a sign to begin pruning. April or May is probably a good time to plan to prune your roses in the Chicago suburbs area where you are located.
FALL PRUNING OF ROSES
You can prune your roses in the fall, so that they are smaller and easier to protect in the winter with a cover. You should cut off just enough to fit them in the cover. Where you make your cut, expect the branch to die back further from winter injury as the branch will be less cold hardy by the pruning cut.
ROSE NOT BLOOMING
Regarding your second rose question, if you thought you removed the rose, it may be that you did remove the entire rose above the graft union of the plant. This is the point where they attach they rose variety you want (with the pretty flowers) onto a rootstock of a rose you don’t want (no pretty flowers but strong grower of roots).
If this is the case, I would recommend you dig out all the roots as the plant will never be what you want. Note though, more roses these days (especially shrub roses) are being grown on their own roots and therefore what is growing back is indeed the plant you want.
SUN OR FERTILIZER
Roses don’t flower for two main reasons, not enough sun or not enough nutrients. If your rose is in the shade, dig it up and move it to a sunnier spot. The second reason is easier to fix. Fertilize your rose with a good quality rose food. Look for a granular or a liquid fertilizer that mentions roses and you should be fine. Don’t use fertilizer spikes (for anything they don’t work well). I would try the fertilizer first and you may be surprised. Roses are heavy feeders and most people don’t fertilize them enough. Often a little rose food is all they need.
For more on rose fertilizer.
I am a first time rose bush grower I just want to know if I was suppose to break away the dirt around the root ball before planting my rose into the ground ? If so they have only been put in the ground now for 3-4 days is it too late to fix that mistake ? My rose bushes are Red and White Climbing Roses and also a Peace Rose . Any help would be great thank you
I have 3 Arthur Bell climbing roses that produce an excellent first flowering after which they produce vigorous new growth – 8 to 10 feet or more, but no repeat flowering. They are in well pepared plots and are fed with blood fish and bone at the start of each season and a proprietary rose feed regularly thereafter. The site is in a small micro climate of a garden, surrounded by tall hedges. They face west and enjoy full sun.They are described as “continuous flowering throughout the season through to November” – not mine. What’s wrong please?
I planted my roses in big pots so I was able to bring them inside for the winter. I have them in the dining room by the window but there isn’t much light. I have them under a grow light at night. They really need pruning. I won’t put them back outside until spring. Can I prune them now?
I would guess yes, but I am not sure.
Can driftwood roses grow in afternoon sun??? From 12:noon full sun?
You probably wont be happy with their performance.