Rose Gardening Checklist

Checklist For Successful  Rose Gardening 

The most important factor while planting your roses is to check the pH balance of the soil which states whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. The soil test will determine what compounds are to be added to the soil while preparing the flower bed.


Once the soil texture is ascertained and the soil is ready, it is time to purchase your rose plant. This step is crucial and there should be no compromise on the quality.


Whether you choose from a plant grown in a pot or a bare root plant which is dormant, the quality should be the best. It is said that healthy plants which are dormant give a better bloom than those with long new shoots.


Again, though early spring is considered to be the ideal planting season for the roses, it is better to check from a well-known local nursery.


A well-cultivated soil makes planting easy and smooth. The roots are soaked for few minutes and the broken root-ends need to be pruned. The roots should never be kept exposed to the air which may end up in drying the root fibers.


The hole should be approximately one inch in width and depth enough for the roots to spread out. You should refill the hole till three-quarter and water the plant thoroughly.


Once the water gets soaked properly, the hole has to be filled fully and the soil is made firm around the roots. The planting procedure is same for potted plants where the pot has to be removed and the planting continues from spring to fall.

Rose Gardening for Beginnners

Beginning Rose Gardening

Believe it or not, Roses have gotten a bad wrap over the years for being difficult to grow and maintain.  If you are thinking of rose gardening don't let this rumor stop you.  While rose gardening can prove to be challenging, once you get the hang of it, it really isn't that bad.  


When you first start rose gardening, you will have to choose what type of rose you wish to plant, and no, I'm not talking about the color.  You will have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses.  Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring.  They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable.  Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bad or box with something around the roots to retain moisture, such as sawdust.  Container-grown roses are grown; you guessed it, in containers.  They will be either budding or already in bloom when they become available in the early spring.


Planting in rose gardening is not that much different than any other type of plant.  The most important thing, as always, is good, healthy soil and a prime planting area.  It doesn't matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting methods are the same as any other shrub.  Make sure the spot you choose has good drainage, gets plenty of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your roses.  Before planting, any dead leaves and thin or decayed shoots need to be cut off.  Any damaged or very long roots also need to be trimmed.  Soak bare-root roses in water about 10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water the soil before planting as well.  Make sure the hole you have dug is large enough for the root growth of the rose.  Also it is a good idea to use compost or mulch.  After all, roses like extra nutrients just like any other plant.


Roses need the same things as other plants; they are just a bit needier.  One of the most important things to remember in rose gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will need several fertilizer applications.  Fertilizing should be started in early spring and discontinued in early fall.  Make sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should come with instructions) and water after each feeding.  Roses require large amounts of water; a thorough watering twice a week should be enough.


Pruning is an essential part to flower gardening.  It increases blooms and encourages healthy plant growth.  Different varieties of roses have different instructions for pruning, so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is suggested.


The main thing to remember in rose gardening is to water, water, and water some more.  One other thing about rose gardening is the amount of fertilizer and nutrients you will need to use, and the pruning that needs to be done to keep your roses under control and healthy.  Even though rose gardening takes a little more time and roses are more work, they are one of the most unique and beautiful plants, and definitely worth the extra work.

Roses Have Meaning . . By Color!

The Color Meaning of Roses

Buyer beware before you buy roses, know what message you are sending in the color!  Men as well as women, express that they love to get flowers and floral gifts. Remember color talks!   Although it is a common acceptance that all roses convey warmth and affection, the person receiving them may know and understand the meaning of roses colors and the symbolic message conveyed. It would be nice to assure that you are communicating the right message to that special person sharing a special language between the two of you.   

The color of a rose can certainly be interpreted than the thought you intended.  To ensure that your love (or friend) understands what the roses you are sending mean, follow the guide below so you can be sure of no misinterpreted gestures.


Orange - enthusiasm, desire and fascination


Lavender - love at first sight


Coral - desire


Pale Peach - modesty


Peach - appreciation, closing of the deal, lets get together, sincerity 


Red and Yellow - jovial and happy feelings


Red and White - given together these signify unity


Yellow with Red Tip - friendship, falling in love


Yellow - Joy, gladness, friendship, delight, promise of a new beginning, welcome back, remember me, jealousy


Light Pink - admiration, sympathy, gentleness, grace, gladness, joy, sweetness Dark Pink - appreciation, gratitude, thank-you


Pink - appreciation, thank-you, grace, perfect happiness, admiration, gentleness, please believe me


White (Bridal) - happy love


White - purity, innocence, silence, secrecy, reverance,humilty, youthfulness, I am worthy of you, Heavenly


Deep Burgundy - unconscious beauty


Red (single) - I love you


Red Dark - unconscious beauty


Red - love, beauty, courage and respect, romantic love, congratulations, I love you, job well done, sincere love, respect, courage and passion


Single in any Color - simplicity, gratitude


Red Rosebud - symbolic of purity and loveliness


White Rosebud - symbolic of girlhood


Thornless Rose - love at first sight


 There is also significance and meaning to the number of roses you send which is interesting also to note.


1 Rose - ------Love at first sight!  
2 Roses ------ Mutual feelings  
3 Roses ------ I Love You!        
7 Roses ------ I'm infatuated with you
9 Roses ------ Together as long as we live        
10 Roses-----You're Perfect! 
11 Roses-----You're my treasured one 
12 Roses -----Be my steady              
13 Roses -----Forever friends 
15 Roses -----I'm really sorry
20 Roses ---- I'm sincere towards you 
21 Roses ---- I'm committed to you 
36 Roses ---- I'll remember our romantic moments 
40 Roses ---- My love is genuine 99 Roses - I'll love you till the day I die 
100 Roses -- I'm totally devoted to you 
101 Roses -- You're my one and only 108 Roses - Will you marry me? 
999 Roses -- My love will last till the end of time Leaves - In general they are              a symbol of hope


Rose talk is the language and trend setting is the game. It does not matter whether you are shy, trying to convey a suttle message or shouting it from the stems, saying it with a rose sends a special message.  These "body language" blooms are the most popular of all cut flowers and nothing quite says it like a rose.  Regardless of color, number or stage of growth, rose that are sent every month conveys "beauty ever new."  Regardless if your rose recipient is not familiar with the shades meaning or number of, one message shouts out loud and clear.  The person that sends roses is a romantic and is saying something very special!

Rose Garden Pitfalls

Do you feel your rose gardening ventures are thwarted at every step??  If it is not the hard winters wreaking havoc on the tender roses, then the strong summer heat with the blistering sun and monsoon rains lashing down on them, may cause you to wonder why you bother at all. Well, unfortunately there is more bad news but forewarned is forearmed!!


The first step is to know the problems. If you are aware of the possible issues then you can also take preventive steps to solve the problems. So take heart, read more articles like this one, and your rose garden will never face any pitfalls.

Rose Gardening Fungus - This white, powdery mildew is deposited on the top and bottom of leaves and stems. It corrodes the growth of the plant and ultimately kills the flowers and stems.

Rose Garden Rust - This is an orange powder which appears on the underside of leaves and has the same detrimental effects as rose gardening fungus.

Rose Garden Black Spots - As the name suggests, these appear as tiny black spots on the leaves and the stems of your rose plants. If you ignore these, they just might destroy your rose garden in no time at all.

Rose Mosaic Disease - This appears like an intricate yellow-green mosaic pattern and is amongst the most deadly rose viruses that can affect your plants. Apparently, there is no viable treatment for this disease.

If you are aware of these pitfalls then you are also armed with valuable knowledge. There are several solutions and remedies for such rose gardening problems.

Rose Growing Made Easy

The rose plant can spark a quick conversation amongst even the shyest of persons.  Almost anyone can tell you of someone they know who has grown beautiful roses or of someone who couldn't.  


Almost anyone can tell you of someone who got or sent roses, especially around the holidays.  Even little children know what the rose plant is.The rose plant is available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and types.  It is known worldwide.  The prices vary depending on where you buy or what type and size you want.

When you decide what type of rose plant you'd like, think of placement.  There is a plant called the thornless rose plant that will grow in the shade. 


Rose plants carry so many different names, it's probably enough to fill a small book!  Some of the names include Rose Blaze, Rose Red Eden, Rose New Dawn, Rose Neptune, Rose Zephirine, just to name a very few.  If you want a rose that sounds like it belongs in a class all its own, you could buy a Rose Paris D'Yves St. Laurent!  That's a mouthful!