Planning a rose garden may seem like an overwhelming task. Simply visiting your local garden center may both inspire and intimidate you. With so many varieties, sizes and colors to choose from, the abundance of possibilities may be as heady as the roses' fragrance. The main types of roses are hybrid tea, floribunda, shrubs and ground cover, climbers and heirloom roses. They each possess individual characteristics and are suited to different landscapes.
One thing to keep in mind when selecting roses is sunlight. While varieties may grow to differing heights and their plants may take different shapes, one of their common traits is a love of sunlight. When selecting the spot for your rose garden, be sure that you are providing your plants with at minimum 5-6 hours of sunlight per day.
Hybrid tea roses make great cutting flowers, growing beautiful large blooms on mostly single stems through the plant. These modern roses are very hardy and will look lovely in rows throughout your garden. Floribunda roses push up many medium sized flowers on each stem and are breathtaking in bloom. Ground cover roses behave much more like a shrub and should be selected for size and color. Climbers are just what the name suggests; these varieties can be trained to appear like a vine by tying them to a trellis as they grow.
Heirloom roses, which have recently regained popularity, are varieties that date back to the 19th century. These roses are generally very hardy and their fragrance is among the most beautiful of roses.
Whichever variety you select, you should take some time to envision your rose garden. Mixing varieties and sizes of roses will give a much more pleasing look than lining up similar rosebushes in a row. Color scheme is also important and the selections you make will dictate the overall feel of your garden. Consult catalogs, magazines or online sources for inspiration in designing your rose garden. As with most gardens, careful planning before planting will pay off in the long run with a beautiful, thriving garden.
Once you've embarked on your new rose garden, there are some important maintenance tips to keep in mind. A rose garden should be cleaned regularly. Keeping fallen leaves and other garden debris away from the roots of the plants will enable you to water the plants directly at the roots as well as keep fungus and other problems at bay.
Careful feeding of your rose bushes will keep them looking their best throughout their flowering season and will keep the plants healthy during the dormant period. You'll find plenty of fertilizer choices at your local garden care center. No matter which type you choose, always be sure to follow the directions carefully to ensure the best results. Mulch too great be a great asset to your garden as is careful pruning which both ensure long flowering rose plants for years to come.
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