Roses aren't just a symbol of love and beauty — they're also the undisputed queens of the garden. If you take good care of them, they'll reward you with a flood of blooms and fragrance that turns your home into a romantic paradise.
Many people are afraid to grow roses, seeing them as demanding "divas." But the truth is that if you follow a few basic rules for planting and pruning, they're actually very rewarding, long-lived perennials. We've put together a guide on how to do it.
Inspiration for Rose Lovers (If You Don't Feel Like Waiting)
Rhodes Roses
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Yellow roses Rosa Brighton
105 KčChoosing the Right Variety: Not All Roses Are Alike
Different rose varieties vary in color, shape, fragrance, and growing requirements. For Czech conditions, we recommend these types:
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Hybrid tea roses – classic and elegant, suited for both beds and cutting
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English roses – abundant bloomers, often fragrant
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Floribunda roses – hardy and colorful, ideal for beginners
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Standard (tree) roses – striking as focal points
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Ground-cover roses – low-maintenance, ideal for slopes and borders
TIP: When choosing, consider not just appearance, but also frost hardiness and the plant's height.
2. Sun and Airflow: The Foundation of Health
Roses are children of the sun. Give them a spot that gets sun for at least 6 hours a day.
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A florist's tip: "Roses also need good air circulation (but not a draft). If you plant them in a damp corner with stagnant air, they'll suffer from powdery mildew and black spot. An airy spot is the best prevention."
3. Planting Step by Step
Soil preparation is key. Roses like well-draining, nutrient-rich soil (ideally with compost mixed in).
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Dig a hole at least 40×40 cm.
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Spread the roots outward in all directions when planting (if you're planting bare-root roses, soak them in water for a few hours beforehand).
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The graft union (the knobby bit where the branches start) needs to sit about 3–5 cm below the soil surface. This is the best protection against frost.
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Backfill, firm down gently, and water thoroughly.
4. Watering: To the Roots, Not the Leaves!
This is the most common mistake. Never water roses by sprinkling the leaves (it encourages fungal disease).
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Water directly at the base of the plant.
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It's better to water less often but thoroughly (2–3 times a week in hot weather), so the water reaches deep down to the roots.
5. Fertilizing and Growth Strength
Roses are "hungry" plants. For abundant blooming, they need nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
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Spring (March/April): A starter dose of fertilizer for growth.
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June: A second dose after the first bloom, so they set the next round of flowers.
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August: STOP fertilizing. The plant needs to mature and prepare for winter. Fertilizing too late would harm it.
6. Pruning Roses: Don't Be Afraid to Cut
Pruning is important for rejuvenating the bush. It's done mainly in spring (around the time forsythia blooms).
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Remove all frost-damaged, dry, and weak twigs.
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Shorten healthy shoots to 3–5 buds.
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Important: Always cut just above a bud that faces outward from the bush. This ensures the rose grows outward and keeps an airy center.
7. Winter Protection
Roses are perennials, but they need a "blanket." In autumn, mound soil up around the base of the plant (creating a small hill) to protect the graft union. Cover the crown of standard roses or more sensitive varieties with conifer branches.
Growing roses is a beautiful hobby. And if things aren't quite working out for you right now, or you don't have a garden, don't despair. At KvětinyExpres.cz, we're here to deliver the joy of roses right to your door — any time of year.
Team KvětinyExpres.cz
