Growing roses in the Pikes Peak region can be very rewarding.  Beautiful and often fragrant flowers on healthy canes are what every rose gardener strives for.  By following the suggestions listed here from the American Rose Society, your dream of a vibrant rose garden can become a reality.  

	Roses enjoy soil rich in organic matter
	While organic matter may consist of compost, peat moss and manure, good drainage is very important
	Water roses early in the morning, providing a huge drink every few days
	Roses do not like consistently wet root systems
	Roses enjoy morning sun, shade during the hot hours and returning to late afternoon sun
	When planting grafted roses, bury graft 2” below the ground
	Remove pots, including cardboard types when planting
	It takes 6 to 8 weeks for bareroot roses to develop an adequate root system
	Begin feeding roses in mid May
	When using bark product as mulch around roses, provide plants with supplemental nitrogen as bark depletes our soils of this important nutrient
	Reduce water volume early to mid September, as roses need to prepare for winter
	Prune hybrid teas and floribundas knee high in fall—corrective pruning should be done in the spring
	Grafted roses should be mulched after the first frost—combine soil and mulch and mound 6” – 8” around roses for insulation purposes—remove mulch material around mid May
	Water roses twice a month during the winter
	Good cultural practices prevent many insect and disease problems

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round  

For additional information, check the following links:  

• Rose Gardening
• Selecting and Planting Roses
• Rose Culture
• Diseases of Roses in Colorado