Creating a rose garden – how to succeed

Roses come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, some with a lovely fragrance and others almost scentless. Some bloom only for a short period, while others (repeat-blooming varieties) bloom several times throughout the season.

Roses have a reputation for being a bit demanding, but the truth is that they typically bloom faithfully year after year. They are cared for by trimming damaged and old branches in the spring (when the birch leaves are as big as mouse ears). Then, if they receive plenty of sunlight, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil, fertilizer, and regular watering, they will shine like few other flowers.

Garden roses are typically divided into three main groups, each with its own subgroups, and in addition, there are wild species, old-fashioned, and modern roses. It can easily become a jungle of rose terms. Here are the three most important groups of garden roses:

• Climbing roses have long shoots and need support to stay upright. They can either be once-flowering or repeat-flowering (blooming several times throughout the season).
• Shrub roses do not need support; they form large bushes on their own. These can also be either once-flowering or repeat-flowering.
• Groundcover roses form lower bushes and are repeat-flowering. Within this category, the subgroups Stem roses (where the roses grow individually or in small clusters) and cluster roses (where the roses grow in clusters) are perhaps more familiar terms.

The first step towards a beautiful rose garden is planning. Create a sketch of the rose garden of your dreams. Do you want roses in similar colors or a colorful mix? Add a garden path or two, so you can easily move between flower beds. Also, include seating areas where you can sit and enjoy the blooming. It's a good idea to plant fragrant varieties near the seating areas. Roses can be planted in flower beds, along fences, on trellises, or as a hedge, and they can be combined with other flowers, such as clematis and lavender.

1. To maximize blooming, you should choose roses that complement each other and have staggered blooming times. Remontant roses are practical as a base, as they bloom throughout the summer. Climbing roses add height to the planting, while shrub roses can be used as a hedge.
2. Choose a sunny spot and plant the roses in sturdy holes filled with equal parts sand, clay, and compost, or in garden soil or rose soil specifically suited for roses.
3. Water about three times a week during dry periods, but avoid overwatering when it rains. Roses like to be moist, but not too wet.
4. Fertilize in the spring, preferably with manure and compost. Grass clippings around the roots occasionally are also beneficial.
5. You can also plant tagetes alongside roses, as they help keep nematodes away from the soil.

Roses are sold either bare-rooted or in pots. Bare-root means the plant is sold without soil, while potted roses come with a ball of soil. Both types can be planted in spring and autumn, but also in summer if they are given enough water. Bare-root plants sometimes require a bit more watering during establishment.

Own-root roses grow on their own root, meaning any shoots that come from the root will be of the same variety. Grafted roses, on the other hand, are a cultivated rose grafted onto a vigorous rootstock, meaning the roots come from one type of rose, while the leaves and flowers come from another.

Perhaps the most important thing when planning a rose garden is to choose roses that can tolerate the climate where you live, so they don't freeze during cold winters. The reputation that roses can be difficult often comes from choosing the wrong type – if you select the right variety, roses are actually not that demanding. And there are plenty of exciting varieties to choose from, suited for different hardiness zones.

The English rose gardens and English roses are now well-known, but most of today's roses actually stem from a Chinese rose – Rosa Chinensis. Archaeological findings show that roses were cultivated thousands of years ago, including in China, Babylon, and Egypt. In the 19th century, new varieties were crossbred. Roses often have fascinating histories, and it can be fun to read about the different rose varieties.

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