03/27/2022
Now is the time to plant roses in North Florida.
A bed of roses adds vibrant color and a sweet, pleasing aroma to your lawn. Roses are also very attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. Although some varieties require regular maintenance and care, there are other low-maintenance varieties that you can choose from. If you’re interested in adding roses to your lawn, below are a few tips and pointers that I hope you find helpful in growing healthy and beautiful roses:
• Select a rose variety that does well in Florida
• Plant in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun light per day
• Plant in well-drained soil
• Amend the soil with 2-4 inches of organic matter and till to about 12 inches depth
• Once planted, apply mulch around each plant
• Use drip irrigation to help prevent mold and disease
• Fertilize monthly between mid-February through mid-November with about 1 cup of fertilizer per plant
• Choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for growing roses
• Regularly groom your plants to remove faded flowers, suckers from the root stock, and dead wood
• Prune your roses using a sharp knife or pruning shears making a clean cut just above a well-developed leaf
Follow these tips and you should have much success in cultivating a beautiful, colorful, and aromatic rose garden. If you would like to learn more about growing roses in Florida, check out this article on the University of Florida IFAS extension website: Growing Roses - UF/IFAS Extension (ufl.edu)
