Plant Roses in a Desert Garden

Roses can do well in a Desert Garden

Jun 25, 2006

You can plant beautiful roses in your desert garden by following these easy steps.

Planting roses in a desert garden isn't really much different than planting them in a traditional garden.

First, dig the planting hole. Make sure it is larger (about twice the size) than the root system. I would place the soil taken from the hole and place it in a bucket, wheelbarrow or some other easy-to-access container. Next, mix compost, peat or other organic material with the soil removed from the hole. Regardless of what you've been told, do not add fertilizer to the mixture. Adding fertilizer now will delay the growth of the rose plant, and could also injure the roots. At the bottom of the hole, pile some of the soil mixture into a cone, with the peak of the cone at the center of the hole. You will use this cone to splay the roots out from the base of the plant.

Once your hole is dug, remove the rose from the container, or, if bare-rooted, remove the bag covering the roots. Carefully check the roots for damage and remove any broken or injured roots with scissors or shears (make sure the cutters are sterilized. I use rubbing alcohol to sterilize mine, but you can also use a solution of 10% bleach and water.)

Spread the roots of the plant over the cone you have made at the bottom of the hole. Make sure you do this in a natural manner, letting the roots turn and curve in their natural positions. At this point, also make sure that the bud union (the swelling at the base of the stem) is even with the surface of the soil surrounding the hole. If the bud union is below the surface, remove the plant and add soil to the cone. If it is above, then remove soil.

If you live in colder climates, though, the bud union should be one to 2 inches below the surface.

Now, work the soil mixture around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Keep firming the soil around the roots. Keep adding soil mixture until the hole is about ¾ full.

Slowly fill the hole with water. I use a watering can or a hose without a nozzle and the water just barely turned on to fill the hole. Turning water on full blast or pouring too quickly can splash dirt and bacteria up onto the above-ground part of the plant and make it susceptible to disease. When the water is drained from the hole, look at the bud union to make sure it has stayed at the right level. Then completely fill the hole with soil and then tamp it down lightly. You can use your foot to do this, but don't put your whole weight on it.

Now that your rose is planted, you're going to want to trim it. Cut off all but two to five of the strongest canes (there's no magic formula here, simply use your judgment.) You should trim the strongest canes down to 8-12 inches long. You may also see some small twiggy growth both from canes and the base above the bud union. Cut these off as well. They will not produce flowers and will only sap strength from the plant.

We're almost through with planting. You now need to mound the soil six inches deep around and over the plant. This protects the canes from drying out during establishment. When you see buds sprout, remove the soil mound gradually during a two week period. You'll also want to check the buds every two to three days. At this point, you might want to check the name tag on the rose and loosen it so it won't strangle the cane. When you begin to see really vigorous growth (usually a few weeks after budding), fertilize the plants.

There you have it. With proper care, your rose should provide you with color, beauty and fragrance for years to come.