by Harriet Lee

Created on: May 20, 2010

There are many types of rosebushes to choose from.  It's just, how do you choose the right one for you?  Some choose by color, others choose by name.  If you are new to gardening selecting a rosebush can be quite an overwhelming task.  Things you need to think about beforehand are:

1)    Where do you want to plant your rosebush?

2)    How much room is there in your garden?

3)    What kind of soil is in your area?

4)    Where is the sun in your garden?

5)    Do you want scented or unscented roses?

6)    Do you want to grow roses for cutting?

7)    What size blooms do you wish to have, small, medium or miniature?

8)    What colors will complement your garden? 

Rosebushes do not like overcrowding.   So when planting, remember, they grow both in height and width, but not all types require a lot of space.  They prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and just love and thrive in the sun.  They really require around 6 hours of strong sunlight per day.

Think about whether or not you will be cutting the roses, and displaying inside.  Do you want a climbing rose or shrub?  If you are a complete novice, think about buying a rosebush that requires less maintenance and one that is more disease tolerant.

Rosebushes can be bought in a wide variety of places.  You can buy rosebushes in shops, catalogues, online, nurseries, plant stalls, and garden centers.  Buying from a reputable source is half the battle of getting a good quality rosebush.  So my advice would be to ask around and take your time looking and researching before purchasing and spending your money.  Ask lots of questions.   If you are buying from a catalogue, check the shipping dates and be sure you receive it in time for mid-spring planting.

Roses come in an abundance of varieties and colors, with new ones being developed every year.  It is said that the darker the color then the more heavily scented.  

Be wise from the beginning and plan and prepare for buying your rosebush.  Roses do require feeding once a month, with rose food, and they require lots of water. 

Growing roses isn’t as difficult as choosing the right rosebush for your garden, so choose with care and consideration.  Keep the pests at bay with pest fungicide spray and buy disease tolerant bushes. When you come to planting your rosebushes, the holes need to be at least one foot deep and two feet around in width. This will give the roots plenty of room to grow.

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