December is a recommended month for gardeners to consider changes in their rose gardens, according to UC Master Gardener Debbie D. The period provides an opportunity to evaluate which roses have thrived and which may need replacing.
Debbie D. advises gardeners not to hesitate when changing their rose selections: “You should only have roses that do well and roses that you love. Now is the time to check out any new roses for your garden.”
When selecting new plants, she recommends choosing grade 1 roses for the best results. Roses are available either as bare root or potted varieties. Bare root roses tend to be less expensive but require careful handling; they should be soaked in water for 24 to 48 hours before planting due to their pruned roots, which can dry out quickly. Potted roses are generally more costly because of additional materials and labor but often transition smoothly into gardens.
The planting process begins with removing packaging from bare root roses and soaking the roots. Gardeners are advised to select a site with six to eight hours of sunlight daily, ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in regions with hot summers.
For soil preparation, Debbie D. suggests amending it with compost or other organic material over time, making digging easier even in areas with clay soils. She describes creating a mound at the bottom of the planting hole so roots can spread naturally.
Regarding grafted versus own-root roses, she explains: “What is the bud union of a rose? It is something that looks like a knot at the bottom of the rose plant. It is where the branches of the rose are grafted onto the rootstock.” Most local rootstock is Dr. Huey, while Fortuniana is common in eastern U.S. Grafting allows for faster growth and stronger plants but may result in unexpected changes if the desired variety dies off.
Before placing a rose into its new location, broken roots or canes should be trimmed and dusted with mycorrhizal fungi—a beneficial fungus available at nurseries—which improves nutrient uptake and stress tolerance while protecting against pathogens.
Gardeners are cautioned not to use inorganic fertilizer during planting as it may burn roots; instead, mixing compost into backfill soil is encouraged. After planting, watering thoroughly helps eliminate air pockets around roots.
Several specific varieties are highlighted for their characteristics:
– Ruffled Romance (floribunda) features moderate fruity fragrance.
– Flash Gorden (floribunda), bred by Nola Simpson in New Zealand, offers large blooms attractive to pollinators and strong disease resistance.
– Sealed With a Kiss (hybrid tea), also bred by Nola M. Simpson, produces dramatic dark red flowers suitable for beginners due to low maintenance needs.
The article concludes with a quote: “Roses do not bloom hurriedly; for beauty, like any masterpiece, takes time to blossom.” — Matshona Dhliwayo
