Roses are a garden favorite for a reason. Their lush blooms, signature fragrance, and timeless beauty make them stand out in any space. The University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management Department states that Americans purchase approximately 1.2 billion cut roses annually and estimates that gardeners worldwide buy about 150 million rose plants each growing season!
But as stunning as they are, roses can struggle when the heat cranks up in the warmer months. The good news? With the right care, they can flourish even in tough conditions.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this guide will walk you through simple, effective ways to keep your roses healthy, vibrant, and blooming strong all year long.
What Are Rose’s Ideal Living Conditions?
Roses can be finicky and require specific conditions in which to thrive. According to Smithsonian Horticulturist Shelley Gaskins, roses need at least six hours of full sun a day, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil, and moderate amounts of water. Furthermore, pruning your roses is paramount to their growth, particularly in the early spring, as this will allow the center of the flower to receive better light penetration and air circulation.
Pruning will also facilitate a space that is less likely to develop fungal diseases, as will clearing your garden of dead or diseased plant parts from your garden.
How to Protect Roses From Heat
If a rose receives too much heat and sunlight, it can easily wilt. That’s why where you decide to plant your rose bushes is crucial to its well-being. According to Geraldine Mahoney, master rosarian for the American Rose Society, spacing roses away from walls or fences keeps roses from burning, as this avoids reflecting heat and lets the air circulate.
As such, she suggests planting roses so “the center of one bush is 3 feet apart from the center of the other in all directions.” She adds that this can also help keep diseases like powdery mildew at bay and prevent pests from spreading through the garden.
Tips on Watering
If the summer heat is well and truly blaring down on your roses, there are a few tips you can implement into your garden to keep them from burning. Creating shade is a great way to give your senses relief from the hot sun. You can do this by buying some umbrellas in light colors or reflective silver/white and placing them over your roses. You can also create shade with vining plants or pergolas.
While it might be tempting to turn on the hose and give your roses extra water during the summer heat, try to avoid this. Believe it or not, roses are quite resilient and drought-tolerant, so it’s best to keep them slightly under-watered than over-watered. Roses only need about 2 inches of water a week, per Ron Daniels, master rosarian for the American Rose Society.
Roses may have a reputation for being high-maintenance, but with these expert-backed tips, they don’t have to be. Whether you’re tending to a single rose bush or an entire garden, a little know-how goes a long way in ensuring your flowers stay healthy, vibrant, and full of life all season long. So go ahead — plant, prune, and enjoy the beauty of your roses for years to come.
