How to Grow a Rose Garden in Pots
Everything can come up roses, even without a plot of soil in sight. This step-by-step guide to growing roses in containers shows you how
Jenny Peterson
6 December 2021
Houzz Contributor
Have you ever heard that anything that grows in the ground can be grown in a container? That’s true, even for roses. While potted roses have additional watering and fertilising requirements, they are wonderful for patios, decks and balconies, making them adaptable focal points in any size garden. See our step-by-step guide below to make growing a rose container garden easier.
1. Choose your container. You can use plastic or clay, depending upon where you live. Gardeners in colder climates may opt for plastic, which resists cracking in colder temperatures, while gardeners in warmer climates will find that clay pots do a better job at keeping rose roots cool during hot summers.
Use containers that are large enough for the type of rose you’ll be growing –10-inch-deep containers for miniature roses up to 1 1/2 feet tall; at least 1-foot-deep containers for patio roses up to 2 feet tall; 15-inch-deep pots for small shrub roses up to 2 to 3 feet tall; and 18- to 22-inch-deep pots for larger shrub roses that grow up to 4 feet tall.
Use containers that are large enough for the type of rose you’ll be growing –10-inch-deep containers for miniature roses up to 1 1/2 feet tall; at least 1-foot-deep containers for patio roses up to 2 feet tall; 15-inch-deep pots for small shrub roses up to 2 to 3 feet tall; and 18- to 22-inch-deep pots for larger shrub roses that grow up to 4 feet tall.
2. Mix your soil. Roses are heavy feeders, needing a lot of nutrients to keep growing and blooming. Container-grown roses will need a consistent diet of quality soil and nutrients, so get them off to a good start when planting.
Mix together in equal amounts:
• Potting soil
• Garden compost
• Well-rotted steer manure or well-rotted mushroom compost
You can also add a cup of perlite for added drainage and an additional cup of bonemeal for fertilising.
This is not a hard and fast recipe — really anything along the lines of compost, worm castings and drainage material added to potting soil will do.
Mix together in equal amounts:
• Potting soil
• Garden compost
• Well-rotted steer manure or well-rotted mushroom compost
You can also add a cup of perlite for added drainage and an additional cup of bonemeal for fertilising.
This is not a hard and fast recipe — really anything along the lines of compost, worm castings and drainage material added to potting soil will do.
3. Plant your roses.
• Fill the container two-thirds full of your planting mix.
• Place the rose on the soil surface with its roots gently spread out.
• Fill in with more planting mix and add any additional plants you desire at this time.
• Fill the container to the top edge with soil, as it will settle down when watered.
• Water in thoroughly.
• Fill the container two-thirds full of your planting mix.
• Place the rose on the soil surface with its roots gently spread out.
• Fill in with more planting mix and add any additional plants you desire at this time.
• Fill the container to the top edge with soil, as it will settle down when watered.
• Water in thoroughly.
4. Care for your roses. You’ll need to fertilise and water container roses more often than those planted in the ground. If you poke your finger into the soil surface and it’s dry about 1 inch down, it’s time to water. Fertilise every two weeks with your preferred water-soluble fertiliser, following the package directions.
Be prepared to move your potted roses indoors during very cold winters in northern climates. In the spring apply a tablespoon of epsom salts at the base of each plant for healthy foliage. A springtime application of fish emulsion is great for blooms.
Keep the containers spaced at least 2 feet apart for good air circulation around your roses, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases. Potted roses need the same amount of full sunlight (at least six to seven hours a day) and the same pruning regime and schedule as inground roses.
Be prepared to move your potted roses indoors during very cold winters in northern climates. In the spring apply a tablespoon of epsom salts at the base of each plant for healthy foliage. A springtime application of fish emulsion is great for blooms.
Keep the containers spaced at least 2 feet apart for good air circulation around your roses, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases. Potted roses need the same amount of full sunlight (at least six to seven hours a day) and the same pruning regime and schedule as inground roses.
Suggested roses for containers. Nearly any rose will grow well in a container, with the exception of very large shrubs and climbers. Look for roses labeled “miniature,” “patio rose/larger miniatures,” “small shrub” or “medium shrub rose.”
Read more:
How to Grow Beautiful, Healthy Roses
Tell us:
Share you tips and secrets to growing beautiful roses. Write in comments below.
Read more:
How to Grow Beautiful, Healthy Roses
Tell us:
Share you tips and secrets to growing beautiful roses. Write in comments below.
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if there is a place for them, I have successfully "heeled in" roses for the winter, removed from pots and planted temporarily in garden soil and covered with about 8" of mulch. just make sure they get watered once a month if you live in arid conditions.
Our tips for rose care
1. Use a rose soil mix
Roses need special care and require a specific kind of organic rose mix. Roses also prefer a pH that is between 6.5 and 7, which is slightly acidic to neutral (7 being neutral).
2. Remember to fertilize them
Roses are hungry plants and need to be fertilized regularly to reach their full blooming potential. A natural based fertilizer with (like 5-5-5) works best.
3. Prune at a 45° angle
By pruning at a 45° angle, you can make sure water runs off the cut instead of collecting there. This helps prevent disease or mold from growing on your rose bushes.
4. Water often and early
Most roses need to be watered daily. Set watering time completion prior to sunrise. Avoid fungal diseases like black spot by using drip irrigation to keep the leaves from getting wet.
It's good to know that potted roses require additional watering and fertilizing. I saw this house while visiting my family that was decorated with a bunch of potted plants. Since then, I've wanted to try it out. http://www.carolslovelygifts.com/outdoor/patio-lawn-garden/planters.html