Everyone knows the classic red rose, but how about mocha-colored roses, or even purple? Follow along with Summer from Flock Finger Lakes as she uses a variety of Espoma Organic products, like Rose-tone, and Espoma Organic Land & sea Gourmet Compost to transform a once-weedy bed into a beautiful rose patch!
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Are you adding roses to your garden this season?
Follow along with Laura @Garden Answer as she helps her mom beautify her garden by planting a variety of bare root roses. Laura demonstrates a clear approach to handling bare root roses, from hydrating the roots prior to planting, proper spacing and planting depth as well as the importance of using a good starter fertilizer to help mitigate transplant shock as well as provide the proper nutrients for the plant to mature successfully. Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to enrich the soil and create an ideal growing environment for all her new plantings.
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Laura from @Garden Answer plants some new roses in her backyard with the help of some Espoma products! Follow along and learn some tips to ensure your roses are in tip-top shape!
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It’s time for a little garden rearranging at the @Garden Answer household. Follow along to find out which Espoma products help get the job done!
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Roses are the most classic flower to include in a garden. They’re prolific bloomers, fragrant and colorful.
With a little care and maintenance, you’re only a few steps away from success. Yet the ideal conditions for growing roses aren’t always there. We have you covered. Here are the best roses for each situation.
Learn how to plant roses with Laura from Garden Answer.
Roses for Full Sun
Roses thrive in full sun. When they get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of sun a day, they bloom vibrantly and to their fullest. Any variety will be spectacular when grown in these conditions. They are hardy in zones 4-9 and with the right care, can come back to thrive year after year. Feed your roses monthly with Espoma’s Organic Rose-tone to ensure proper growth.
While all roses thrive in the sun, our favorites are…
Sunblaze® Miniature Roses
You can’t go wrong with any variety of the Sunblaze miniature roses. The name says it all and these sun-loving beauties won’t let you down.
Photo courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants
Autumn Sunblaze® is the perfect variety to showcase this summer. It is a miniature rose, so it is ideal for a beautiful container. Put that container in the full sun for these roses to thrive!
PLANT TYPE: Miniature Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Orange
FLOWERS: Small, 40 petals
FOLIAGE: Glossy
FRAGRANCE: Slight
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
HARDINESS ZONE: 5 – 11
HEIGHT: 12-15″
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 15″
Sunny Knock Out® rose is beautiful in full sun. As the name implies, the blooms are a bright yellow that fade into a cream color from center to petal. It’ll stay bright and colorful even as cooler months approach.
PLANT TYPE: Miniature Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Yellow to cream
FLOWERS: Abundant and continuous
FOLIAGE: Dark green, semi-glossy
FRAGRANCE: Slight
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
HARDINESS ZONE: 4–11
HEIGHT: 3–4’
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 3–5’
Container Roses
Want to have a beautiful rose garden, but don’t have the space in your garden to include them? Turn to containers! As long as the containers are placed in full sun, they will thrive.
Some roses are too big to plant in containers, but miniature varieties work well for smaller spaces. Don’t be fooled, just because they are miniature doesn’t mean they aren’t spectacular.
Photo courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants
Rainbow Sunblaze® is a great variety for any summer garden. The petals are multicolored, which will help them stand out anywhere you plant them. Pair them with a beautiful container and it will be the talk of the neighborhood.
PLANT TYPE: Miniature Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Multicolored
FLOWERS: Small, 25-30 petals
FOLIAGE: Semi-glossy
FRAGRANCE: No Fragrance
GROWTH HABIT: Upright
HARDINESS ZONE: 5 – 11
HEIGHT: 12-18″
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 18″
Photo courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants
Sweet Sunblaze® is a beautiful variety to add to any container in your space. This rose, introduced in 1987, has gentle pink blooms that add softness to your garden. Pair with an edgy container for a striking contrast or with a neutral container for a more classic look.
PLANT TYPE: Miniature Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Pink
FLOWERS: Small, 26-40 petals
FOLIAGE: Glossy
FRAGRANCE: Slight
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
HARDINESS ZONE: 5 – 11
HEIGHT: 15-18″
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 18″
Disease Resistant Roses
Some gardens and plants are more susceptible to diseases. Black spot is the most common disease in roses. It is caused by a fungus that spreads from plant to plant and can wipe out an entire garden. Planting disease-resistant roses helps prevent the spread of disease.
We rounded up our favorite roses that are disease resistant.
Photo courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants
Knock Out® Family of Roses
Known for their punch of color, these roses are perfect to add to any sunny garden. Knock Out are disease resistant and love 6-8 hours of sun a day.
PLANT TYPE: Shrub Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Cherry red, hot pink
FLOWERS: Abundant and continuous
FOLIAGE: Deep, purplish green
FRAGRANCE: No Fragrance
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
HARDINESS ZONE: 5–11
HEIGHT: 3–4’
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 3–4’
Photo courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants
Double Knock Out® Rose
The Double Knock Out gives a double the punch. It has twice as many petals and is offered in a multitude of colors, depending on the variety. You cannot go wrong with these roses.
PLANT TYPE: Shrub Rose
FLOWER COLOR: Cherry red, hot pink
FLOWERS: Abundant, continuous double blooms
FOLIAGE: Deep, purplish green
FRAGRANCE: No Fragrance
GROWTH HABIT: Bushy
HARDINESS ZONE: 5–11
HEIGHT: 3–4’
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full Sun
SPREAD: 3–4’
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Rose gardens are one of the most classic pieces you can add to your landscape. With some love and regular upkeep, they can last for years.
Roses bring beauty by either becoming the statement plant or a fine complement to focal point. You can use roses to cover up an unsightly area or introduce a new fragrance, they are incredibly diverse. Roses are offered in a large variety of colors and patterns to match anyone’s need.
When choosing the best rose for you garden, be sure to know how much sun the area gets. Check the tags on the rose plants to ensure you are picking up ones that will thrive in yard. If you aren’t sure what to choose, your local garden center can help choose for your space and your region!
Planting Tips for Rose Gardens:
Watch as Laura from Garden Answer plants her own roses!
Do you love roses but are stuck with limited space? Is your rose collection growing faster than your raised beds?
Container roses are a great solution for gardeners short on space or those who want the freedom to move their roses around. They give you the option of having roses wherever you want them.
So whether you are trying to cover up some unsightly spot or wanting sweet-smelling roses near your front door, we’re here to help you figure out the best roses for you.
Depending on the size and structure of your container, most roses won’t be a problem. Just be sure the container can hold the roots and soil needed for your roses. Be sure to choose roses recommended for your USDA Hardiness Zone.
Best Types of Roses for Containers
Miniature Roses – Don’t let the name fool you — these roses may be small in bloom size but still produce radiant color. Miniature refers to the size of the bloom, not the size of the bush. Typically they grow between 12”-18”, depending on growing conditions. These roses also love to hangout in window boxes. Choose a container that is at least 10” deep.
Small Roses – These low-growing roses help show off gorgeous containers. Small roses usually reach up to 2’. The variety of small roses is expansive and offer different styles, colors and smells to keep your garden rocking. Due to their small stature, they are perfect for the urban gardener — use these to spruce up your balcony or front stoop. Choose a container that is at least 12” deep.
Patio Roses – With big, colorful and robust blooms, you cannot go wrong with patio roses. They have a neat, bushy growth and regularly blooming rosette flowers. Choose a container that is at least 12” deep.
Floribundas – These one-of-a-kind hybrid roses have vibrant, colorful blooms that will dress up your yard. Grown in clusters, floribundas are wonderful to keep your guests in awe. They require a little more breathing room, so make sure to pick a larger container to keep them comfortable. Choose a container that is at least 15” deep.
6 Steps to Planting Your Rose Bush in a Container
Feel like you need more container plants? Learn what hydrangeas need to thrive in containers!
There’s no better way to enjoy your garden than by encouraging it to grow bigger and better. Before your summer veggies and flowers peak, take your garden to the next-level by refueling it.
Knock-out these 5 essential tasks and your garden will thank you. You’ll extend your summer season and ensure that your lawn and garden are in tip-top shape.
5 Ways to Give Your Summer Garden a Boost
1. Hydrate. When it’s hot, dry and muggy, the best thing is a nice cold drink. Your plants need some H2O, too. The trick to keeping your garden hydrated during the hottest days is not to water more. It’s to water smarter. Water plants deeply in the morning so they have the entire day to soak it up.
Image courtesy of Garden Answer
2. Keep plants fed. Your summer veggies and flowers are hungry. Feed hanging baskets, container gardens and annuals with liquid Bloom! plant food every 2 to 4 weeks. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers are heavy feeders. Continue to feed every 2 weeks with organic fertilizers Tomato-tone or Garden-tone.
3. Prune and deadhead. Extend the life of perennials by deadheading flowers as soon as they are spent. This will encourage plants to keep blooming as long as weather permits. Your roses will thank you. Prune tomato suckers and shrubs now, for fuller plants later.
4. Mow lawns strategically. When mowing, keep the mower blades high (3” or higher) to encourage healthy roots. Cut grass in the evening to give it time to recover and keep yourself cool.
5. Plant more! There are many quickly maturing plants that will thrive in summer gardens and be ready for harvest in the fall. Try planting radishes, cucumbers, beans and more.
Sit back and relax! Take a good look at your hard work and dream about the rewards and bountiful harvests you’ll enjoy in the months to come.
If you’re looking to get a better tomato harvest this summer, be sure to check out our complete tomato guide!
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Spring is here! Shed off those winter blues and head outdoors to restore your lawn and garden. The days are getting longer and your soil is beginning to wake up. April is a great time to get out in your yard and begin again.
1. Start tomato seeds.
The best way to get a head start on growing tomatoes is to start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost date in your region. See our Guide to Growing Tomatoes. Start your seeds with Espoma Organic Seed Starter and feed your tomatoes with Espoma Organic Tomato-tone.
2. Get planting.
Hydrangeas embody everything we love about gardening. They have billowy textures, come in bright colors, and are easy to care for. Plant some this month for the best blooms. Feed your Hydrangeas with Espoma Organic Holly-tone fertilizer.
3. Grow berries.
Did you know blackberries have almost as many antioxidants as blueberries? And raspberries make the perfect addition to jam, cobblers, and pies. Berries are just so delicious, scrumptious, and oh-so-juicy. Plus, many berries are easy to grow and care for. Find out when, where, and how to plant your favorite berries. Feed your berry-producing plants with Espoma Organic Berry-tone fertilizer.
4. Revitalize lawns.
Perform a soil test to find out what your lawn needs, then amend and choose organic. Organic lawns need less watering, fertilizing, and mowing all summer long. Yes — that means you get to spend more time enjoying your beautiful lawn and less time caring for it! Plus, as natural lawn foods break down, your soil becomes stronger on its own and needs less help. Feed your lawn with Espoma Organic All Season Lawn Food.
5. Plant blooms.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons are some of the most popular flowering shrubs. Blooming from late spring to early summer, these shrubs thrive in almost any garden. Plus, they come in virtually every color of the rainbow — from bold pinks, purples, and reds to soft, muted yellows and whites. Make sure you’re adding these bloomers to your garden this year. Feer your beautiful Azaleas and Rhododendrons with Espoma Organic Azalea-tone fertilizer.
6. Feed roses.
Your roses are waking up now, they’ve made it through a long winter and they are starving! Choose Espoma’s organic Rose-tone. It includes more nutrients than any other rose food. Most rose fertilizers contain three nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). Here’s how to feed with Rose-tone.
Sit back and relax once you’re done.
April showers will give way to May flowers in no time at all.
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Check out our Total Guide to Growing Organic Berries!
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