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Roses have been named for presidents, movie stars, country western singers and foreign royalty. Others are named after moods, emotions, celestial objects, other flowers, songs and even cities. The new ‘Ogden' rose was developed to celebrate Ogdens sesquicentennial.
Now is the best time to buy and plant roses, says Jerry Goodspeed, Utah State University Extension horticulturist. Local nurseries and garden centers have the best selection early in the spring, and the prices are as good as they will get. If you wait to buy roses until they are blooming, chances are the ones you want will be gone.
Roses bloom all season, and that's a wonderful benefit, he says. Last year northern Utah roses bloomed from early June through late November. Of course, it was a long, warm fall; but it shows their capability of blooming over an extended period of time. Another advantage is that a rose can adapt to different soils and climate conditions throughout the country.
Most roses are grown commercially in the Northwest and shipped to Utah to be sold in local nurseries and garden centers, Goodspeed explains. Many of the roses available this spring were actually dug out of the ground last fall and early winter. Then they were stored in a cool location with near 100 percent humidity to keep them healthy during their dormancy.
A few weeks ago these roses were pulled out of storage to start their journey east and south, to be sold throughout the western United States, he says. These transported roses can be purchased as bare root or in a container at our local nurseries. Bare root roses are easy to plant; and, if properly cared for, will do just as well as those in containers. Your local nursery will be able to tell you the best care for a bare root or container plant.
When planting roses, be sure to leave the bud or graft union above the soil. (This is the swollen area at the base of the rose where all the canes initiate.) Plant roses no deeper than the depth they were planted in the nursery.
Once planted, roses usually take off and begin to grow, Goodspeed says. Be patient while waiting for them to bud out. Keep them moist, but not wet. A few rose plants have been drowned by well-intentioned people compensating for our dry climate. Fertilize them about four to six weeks after planting.
"Once roses begin growing, watch for insects and diseases," he cautions. "Normally there aren't too many problems until May. For my roses at home, I use a good rose systemic that both fertilizes and helps control pests that could make the new addition to the garden feel unwelcome."
Normally, the only pruning required the first year is to remove any stems that did not survive the travel and storage, he says. A few tips on the end of the canes may also need to be cleaned up. Occasionally, the ends of the branches dry out some as the plant gets established in the new location. After about a year, it is time to start pruning them, but wait until there is a little growth on the stems before pruning. This way dead canes and buds can be identified from those that are alive and growing.
