Leslie Massey
Roses are a beautiful addition to any garden, and with the right care, they can thrive in most Australian climates. Roses are not particularly demanding plants, but they do require careful pruning, regular watering, and protection from pests and diseases. The best time to plant bare-root roses in Australia is during winter, while potted roses can be planted year-round. Roses need at least six hours of sunlight daily and well-drained soil. Regular maintenance, such as fertilising, mulching, and deadheading, is essential to encourage blooming and maintain the health of your roses.
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What You'll Learn
Pruning and fertilising
Pruning
Pruning is best done in mid to late winter. If you live in an area that experiences frost, wait until the last frost has passed. Pruning is important as it helps to reduce disease, encourages air circulation, and lets more light in.
When pruning, remove two-thirds of the plant's height, including any remaining foliage. Remove any dead wood or diseased wood, making a cut right to the base of the stem. Remove any spindly, untidy shoots to their base and remove old, unproductive branches. To reduce crowding in the centre of the plant, remove any branches that cross over others. Aim to cut at a 45-degree angle, sloping away from the bud to prevent the collection of rain and dew, which can cause fungal disease.
For ground cover roses, you can cut them back almost to ground level. They will regrow by spring, especially with some fertiliser and mulch. For heritage roses, light pruning to shape and tip pruning is sufficient.
After pruning, give your roses a deep soak of water to help them break dormancy and produce flowers quicker in spring.
Fertilising
Fertilising should be done three times a year: in spring, summer, and winter. Avoid using manure from animals that eat meat, and use chicken manure sparingly, as these can be too acidic for roses. Blood and bone provide an immediate burst of nutrients but should be used sparingly. Pelletised fertilisers, such as Sudden Impact, can be applied by sprinkling them around the base of the plant. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never apply liquid fertiliser to dry soil, as this will burn the roots—water the roses first.
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Watering and mulching
Watering is a critical component of rose care, and the frequency and amount of water depend on the maturity of the plant and the temperature. Young roses need to be kept well-watered, and as they mature, you can reduce watering to twice a week. Newly planted bare-root roses should be watered at least twice a week, regardless of the weather, unless there are flood conditions. In hot weather, mature roses may require 20-30 litres of water per week when the maximum temperature is predicted to average 20-30°C. This amount increases to 30-40 litres per week when temperatures average 30-40°C and at least 40 litres per week if temperatures exceed 40°C.
When watering roses, it is important to ensure that the water reaches the roots rather than the flowers and foliage. Aiming water at the flowers and foliage can lead to fungal diseases, so it is recommended to water the soil and encourage healthy root formation.
Mulching is another essential aspect of rose care. It helps retain moisture in the soil and protects the roots from extreme temperatures. It is recommended to mulch rose beds before spring to maintain soil moisture for as long as possible. Lucerne hay, pea straw, and compost mulch are suitable materials for mulching. Additionally, mulching can be topped up throughout the year to maintain the health of the roses.
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Pest control
Roses are prone to a variety of pests, including sap-sucking and chewing insects. Sap-sucking pests include aphids, thrips, mites, whiteflies, and scales. Chewing pests include caterpillars, earwigs, garden weevils, sawfly larvae, and snails and slugs. Other pests include deer, lizards, and rabbits.
To control pests on your roses, you can try a variety of methods:
- Inspect your plants regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. Check for silvery or discoloured leaves, distorted flowers, and black droppings on the petals, which may indicate an infestation.
- Keep your plants well-watered and fed, and control weeds. Water at the base of the plant rather than over the foliage to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
- Use pesticides or insecticides. For example, Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray can be used to control a variety of sap-sucking pests and diseases such as aphids, thrips, and sooty mould. Alternatively, you can use horticultural soap or neem oil-based products like Neem Bliss to control thrips and other pests. However, avoid using chemical pesticides as they can harm beneficial insects and wildlife.
- Dislodge pests by spraying your plants with a strong stream of water. Ensure the spray is strong enough to knock off the insects without damaging the plant.
- Use natural predators such as ladybugs (lady beetles), green lacewings, and songbirds like finches, warblers, and sparrows to control aphids. Attract these natural enemies by planting their favourite plants, such as dill, fennel, mint, and yarrow.
- Use trap plants, such as evening primrose or marigolds, to lure pests away from your roses.
- For small infestations of garden weevils, remove them by hand or squish them underfoot.
- Use netting or parasitic wasps to deal with beetles.
- Use a sprayer or hose attachment to apply treatments evenly and effectively.
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Choosing the right rose
Roses come in a wide range of flower forms, sizes, fragrances, and plant sizes and shapes. Therefore, the first step in choosing the right rose is to decide where you want to plant your rose. For fences or pergolas, climbing and pillar roses are a good choice as they will reach the right height. Shrub or bush roses are perfect for garden beds, with taller ones at the back and shorter ones at the front. Short bush roses and miniatures are suitable for pots, and standards look pleasing in both beds and pots. Groundcover varieties will cover large or sloped areas.
Once you have decided on the type of rose, you can select a rose with the right flower traits, such as colour, shape, and fragrance. You should also consider the size of the rose and whether it will fit in the space you have chosen. It is important to leave breathing space between rose plants, especially in humid climates, to allow for good air circulation and lower rates of disease. Additionally, ensure that the rose you choose is suitable for your climate. For example, some roses are more prone to fungal diseases in humid climates. Heritage tea roses and many new varieties are disease-resistant, so check before you buy.
Roses need plenty of sunshine, so make sure they are planted in a sunny spot. Northerly and westerly aspects are usually the sunniest spots. They are also thirsty plants and require frequent watering, especially newly planted roses and during hot and dry weather. Therefore, you should ensure that you can commit to watering your roses regularly.
Finally, consider the condition of the soil in your garden. Roses happily grow in many soil types, but good drainage is essential. If your soil has heavy clay, you will need to use liquid gypsum. A few weeks before planting, add at least half a 30-litre bag of compost and aged manure per rose, and fork it in.
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Planting and spacing
Roses are versatile and can be grown in many places, including fences, pergolas, and garden beds. If you're planting against a fence or pergola, opt for climbing or pillar roses that will reach the desired height. For garden beds, select shrub or bush roses, placing taller varieties at the back and shorter ones at the front. Short bush roses and miniatures are well-suited to pots, while standards look pleasing in both beds and pots. Groundcover varieties are ideal for large or sloped areas.
When it comes to spacing, shrub roses are usually planted about 1 metre apart. For a more dramatic display, plant drifts of three bushes of the same variety about 45 centimetres apart. If you're planting roses against a fence or pergola, space them about 30 centimetres from the wall to allow for adequate air circulation.
Roses need plenty of sunshine, so choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. Northerly and westerly aspects are typically the sunniest. They can be grown in various soil types, but good drainage is essential. A few weeks before planting, enrich the soil by adding at least half a 30-litre bag of compost and aged manure per rose, and fork it in. For heavy clay soil, use liquid gypsum.
The best time to plant bare-root roses in Australia is during winter when they are leafless. Dig a hole 60 centimetres wide and 30 centimetres deep, leaving a small pyramid of soil at the bottom. Remove the rose from its plastic packaging and soak it in a bucket of water for 12 hours or overnight before planting. Trim any damaged roots and place the rose in the hole, ensuring it is secure and not too loose. Use a handful of Neutrog Seamungus, a soil and plant conditioner, when planting to promote healthy root growth.
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