Plant Up Patio Roses

When to Plant: Fall or early spring
At Their Best: Early to midsummer
Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

• large container, at least 18 inches deep
• broken clay pot pieces
• soil-based potting mix
• bagged manure

• slow-release fertilizer
• mycorrhizal fungi
• patio rose, such as 'Regensberg'
• bedding plants, such as bacopa

Prepare the Container

Plant your pot in situ, since it will be heavy and difficult to move once planted. Place a layer of broken pots or plastic pieces at the bottom of the container. Add a layer of potting mixed with well-rotted manure (one part manure to ten parts soil).

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Check Planting Depth

Place the rose, in its pot, on the soil and check that the graft union (swelling at base of stems) will be below the soil after planting. Remove or add soil to adjust the planting level, and mix in slow-release fertilizer and mycorrhizal fungi. Then remove the rose from its container and set it in the pot.

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Plant Up Annuals

Fill around the root ball with the soil and manure mixture. Wearing gloves, firm it in gently with your hands. Leave a gap of 2 inches between the soil and the rim of the pot to allow space for watering. For added summer color, after the last spring frost, plant trailing bedding plants around the edge.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - How to Grow Practically Everything © 2010 Dorling Kindersley Limited