Planting Roses in Autumn: Varieties and Care

By the end of August, chores at the dacha ease off, and after digging up the potatoes and harvesting most of the garden, there will be even more time. It«s the perfect moment to tend to the flower bed. Autumn-planted roses take root well with the right agricultural techniques. An agronomist explained the important nuances of planting and care.

When to plant roses in autumn

Hot weather shifted not only planting but also harvest dates. This year everything developed much faster, and by the third decade of August the garden empties quickly. At the same time, the agronomist advises against rushing the rose planting.

«It»s best to plant roses in autumn from mid-September until the first days of October. That way the plant won«t suffer from overly hot weather and will still have time to take root and prepare for winter,» assured Lyudmila Shubina, an agronomist and candidate of agricultural sciences.

According to the gardener«s lunar calendar, the best days for planting in September are the 15th and 16th. Favorable days are the 2nd, 3rd, 13th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 29th, and 30th of September. It»s better not to work in the flower bed on the 10th, 11th, and 27th.

Rose varieties

Rose seedlings, like those of other plants, are sold in two types: with an open or a closed root system. In the first case, the rose won«t be in a pot, the roots won»t be in soil, and it should be planted as soon as possible after digging up. Seedlings with a closed root system are grown right in seedling pots and have a ball of soil around the roots. They can be planted at any time, but don«t forget to water the pot.

The most popular rose varieties are mainly of two types: hybrid tea and floribunda. Among white ones, it«s worth trying to grow »Anastasia« or »Bianca«; among pink ones — »Kiss Me Kate« or »Thalea«; among red ones — »Pigalle«, »Red Berlin«, »Chin Chin«.

How to plant roses

Roses need to be properly buried when planting. Unlike fruit plants, the graft union of this flower must be in the soil. The depth of the planting hole should be calculated with this in mind. At the bottom, make drainage from pine cones or sand. Add potassium, phosphorus, and a quarter bucket of humus, and mix this with a little soil.

«When planting, be sure to bury the roses 3-4 centimeters above the graft union. Without this, the seedling won»t survive the winter,« warned Lyudmila Shubina. »After that, firm the soil and water abundantly. The plant doesn«t need pruning. There»s nothing complicated about planting.«

In autumn, seedlings must not be given nitrogen — such fertilizing should be left for early spring, when the plant needs to grow green mass.

«By burying them, we ensure the presence of 2-3 buds that will start growing after winter. In the soil, frosts won»t damage them,« the specialist noted. »In the first 2-3 weeks after planting, you need to make sure the soil doesn«t dry out completely.»

Don«t plant the bushes too close together. The distance depends on the variety. Border roses should be planted 25-35 centimeters apart, hybrid tea roses 40-50 centimeters, floribunda 50-60 centimeters. In spring, the space between roses can be filled with low-growing annuals.

How to prepare roses for winter

Roses in Siberia and the Urals don«t require autumn pruning, and the most important part of preparation is hilling the bush high. But this shouldn»t be rushed either.

«Like with potatoes, rake the soil up into a pyramid. This will insulate the root and protect the root collar. This should be done no earlier than mid-October,» the agronomist warned. «Also, don»t cut the flowers too early. Long autumn blooming is the key to a strong bush. Leave all pruning for spring.«

The agronomist reminded that only climbing roses need winter cover, since they bloom on last year«s shoots. In October, the vines should be laid on the ground and covered with film or non-woven covering material.

What else to read about the garden

Leaf spotting: what to do if the foliage of tomatoes, strawberries, and apple trees loses its color — an agronomist«s advice.

Caring for strawberries in August: when to plant new bushes and trim leaves — rules and best varieties.

You«ll lose all your tomatoes: three main mistakes in growing tomatoes that will definitely cost you the harvest — video.