Rose Gardening

May 2007

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

Most roses this time of year should be blooming heavily. If yours aren’t, it could be due to our weather conditions which are still unusually dry. Make sure roses are irrigated at least twice a week or more often if they are in containers. Also check for spider mites and other pests which show up in large numbers during our dry season.

If plants in the ground are getting too leggy, it’s OK although it’s very hot to do pruning wherever necessary to give plants a more desired shape. Also some people are adding roses to their garden and you can do that virtually any time of the year. Just be sure that you’re able to irrigate new plants regularly until they become well established.

It’s normal this time of year to start seeing insect activity such as aphids on new growth and occasionally caterpillars or beetles that might chew holes in foliage. None of them usually seriously affect the plants ability to continue flowering, but it does make the plant look unattractive.

If you have questions about rose care this time of year, check with fellow members at monthly meetings or contact your county Extension office for free advice.