Integrating roses in your landscape

Integrating roses into your landscape design

Introducing roses into your residential landscape can add beauty and fragrance to your outdoor space. Here are some general first steps to consider:

• Choose the right variety: Select rose varieties that are suitable for your micro-climate, soil type, and sunlight conditions. Hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras have been my most successful choices. Many will grow to 6 ft tall & become a ‘promentory plant’ that grabs your eye. You may find some good deals at the end of the season in September – but wait till cooler, rainier weather to set them. During the heat, take pictures of the garden so you can see the size of the existing bushes before you start digging. ( I use tomato cages as a guide in my pictures . . . )

• Plan the location: Determine where you want to plant the roses in your landscape. Consider factors such as the basic 6 hours of sunlight exposure, soil quality, your access for deadheading, and proximity to other plants. Grandifloras like ‘Queen Elizabeth’ will merge with other plants more densely than a hybrid tea like ‘Peace’ for example.

• Survey your current plants: There are many rose companion plants, described below, that you probably have in your garden already. These plants can help hide the bare legs of roses and act as living mulches by suppressing weeds and lightly shading the soil, keeping rose roots nice and cool. Many combinations & locations look exceptionally good in rows or other patterns. My friends at Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC are expert at this. I’ll include some of my favorite mixes & locations below . . .

• Watering and mulching: After planting, water the roses thoroughly to offset the inherent drying of the roots during your work. Apply a layer of clean organic mulch around the base of the plants to help them retain moisture and at the same time suppress competing weed growth.

• Pruning and maintenance: Prune roses in early February to remove dead or damaged wood and shape the plants. (The weather is often lousy for people – but it’s a good time for the roses to get started underground.) Regularly water the ground around the base of the plant during dry weather, and fertilize every 2 months during the growing season, and as always, monitor for pests and diseases. Follow recommended care instructions specific to the rose variety you have chosen. Your local rose society or the American Rose Society at ARS.org can aid with the specifics.

Here are some classic examples of ‘good neighbor’ plants & special locations.

~ Lavender ~

English, Spanish, or French lavenders all love to mix with the tall canes & contrasting blooms of your new roses. Grandifloras & Floribundas are big ‘n’ bold in this setting.

~ Salvia, Allium, or Sage ~

~ Smooth pink or bold red roses on a white fence ~

~ Fragrant roses among bergamots & hostas – often next to benches or steps ~

~ Contrast on wooden fences, iron railing, & brick walls ~

Elevating the height of the garden actually expands your landscape vertically. It shows that you care about the design, not just simply putting random plants to fill up your garden space. Climbing roses set against a brick wall or trellis is a classic French technique for this. Even a modest pallet-wood fence will benefit . .

Planning well will usually yield dramatic results . . .

Remember, roses require regular care and attention to thrive, but with proper planning, a bit of trial & error, plus some routine maintenance, you can enjoy the mixed beauty of roses in your residential landscape from April into October.