Question of the Week
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Is it time to plant roses? And what should I get?
Yes, now is a great time to plant roses!
You want to get them in this month or by the middle of February. There are bare root plants on the shelves right now, but you can also get great container roses.
Bare root plants, especially, need to get in the ground. They have a waxy coating on their stems to prevent drying out. That needs time to wear off before it gets hot.
Many of the bare root roses are shipped from far-off places, so often those are not the best cultivars for our area. Most are grown for winter hardiness, but we need plants that can take our hot and arid summers.
If you want fragrance, check to make sure because many roses have been bred for other qualities and the fragrance has been lost.
You also want the right size rose for the right spot. Some get large and shrubby, some ramble, others are small enough for limited space or a container.
Selecting the right variety really makes a difference in your success. There are many heirloom/old roses and Earth-Kind roses that don't need a lot of attention to perform beautifully.
Check our site for lots of rose tips and recommended varieties.
Along with variety, roses need full sun, good drainage, and rich soil. You can compromise a little on this but usually, you will end up with disease problems. If you don't have a sunny site and well-drained soil, consider a large container in your one suny spot.
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