Roses, Selection, Pruning and Companion Plants

Roses are amazing plants. They are beautiful and come in a variety of colors, scents and types. Whether you love the roses that climb up and along your porches or want them to be the centerpiece of your garden like a Hybrid Tea Rose or poke out little heads like the miniatures they are the masterpieces of all flowers.

Choosing a Rose Plant:

Things to consider when choosing a rose plant is the height, low medium or tall, the color and the scent. Make sure the roses you buy are in good condition. Check out the roses in your community gardens, get the names of your favorites. Check to see which ones are resilient to diseases and local pests.

Roses come in basically two ways, Climbing or Trailing Roses for houses, garages and porches and Bush Roses. However there are categories of roses including Hybrid Teas, Floribundas whose purpose can be for low edging, hedges and displays. Miniatures are exactly that and are great for window boxes, as house plants and in your flower garden.

Pruning Roses:

Pruning roses is not an art form. It is very simple and ensures that your roses will be healthy and productive each year.

• Be sure to cut all the dead or damaged wood and any signs of disease.
• If there are stems that are starting to die back cut at least two inches into the living wood.
• Remove any spindly growth by cutting right back to the main stem.
• Cut out the center of the bush where there is congestion, where the growth is the longest or there is cross growth so that the rose can be exposed to more sun and air.
• Slant the cut.
• Feed the rose after pruning; preferably mulch.

Companion planting helps deter harmful insects and pests. They can provide a stronger scent that confuses insects and keeps them away. Companion plants also attract beneficial insects that prey on common insects and pests. Another reason to plant these plants are that some even have fungicidal properties that help fight diseases on your roses. They can even improve the growth of your roses.

Companion Plants for Your Roses:

1. Onions
2. Garlic
3. Chives
4. Marigolds
5. Lavender
6. Geraniums

Roses like any plant need to be kept in good condition by making sure they have enough minerals, are watered appropriately and are pruned to ensure the whole plant gets sunshine and air. Don’t forget to plant Companion Plants beneath your roses to aid in repelling harmful insects and attracting beneficial ones. They help ensure your rose does not get diseases and fungus.