Roses Made Easy
Don't be afraid to grow roses. New varieties are so easy, you can just plant them and enjoy the boost of color they give your garden from late spring through fall.
Keep your roses healthy
Water regularly. Roses love water. They need 1 inch of rain per week. If it hasn't rained, water about a gallon per plant to keep the roots moist but not in standing water. Water the base of the plant, as wet leaves encourage disease. Mulch well to conserve moisture.
Watch for pests. The biggest threat to roses from pests is Japanese beetles. "When they are hungry, almost anything will do," rose breeder Ping Lim says.
If your plants do get beetles, use a small pail of soapy water to knock off the insects and then flush the plant with water from a hose. "Don't step on Japanese beetles and leave them on the ground," Knock Out creator Bill Radler says, because the pheromones will attract more. He also notes that Blushing, Pink or original Knock Out roses are especially resistant to beetles.
Pictured: Earth Song
Comments (0)