Care Instructions
Planting
- Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day and good air circulation.
- Plant in well-drained soil enriched with compost. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot.
- For grafted roses, position the graft union (the knobby joint) 2–5 cm below soil level in cold climates like Ontario — this protects it from freeze damage.
- Water deeply right after planting.
Watering
- Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than a little every day; roses prefer deep roots.
- Water at the base in the morning; avoid wetting the foliage to reduce blackspot and mildew.
- Potted roses dry out faster — check daily in hot weather.
Feeding
- Feed in spring when new growth starts, using a balanced rose fertilizer; repeat after the first flush of blooms.
- Stop fertilizing by late August so new growth can harden off before winter.
Pruning & Deadheading
- Prune in early spring: remove dead, damaged, or crossing canes; cut back to healthy outward-facing buds.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage rebloom on repeat-flowering varieties.
Winter Protection (Ontario)
- After the ground freezes, mound 20–30 cm of soil or mulch around the base of each rose.
- For tender varieties, wrap canes in burlap.
- Do not prune in fall — wait until spring so you do not stimulate tender growth.
Pests & Diseases
- Watch for blackspot, powdery mildew, and aphids. Good air circulation and morning watering prevent most problems.
- Remove affected leaves promptly; treat with appropriate rose-safe products if needed.