Even if you have limited garden space, you can still enjoy beautiful roses by growing them in containers. Potted roses are also a great way to add color to your patio, deck or balcony or even scattered throughout your garden to add height and color. Smaller-growing roses are ideal candidates. Master gardener Chris Dawson explains how to do it:
Choose an appropriate container for your roses. Make sure it has drainage holes. Containers made of wood, ceramic or terra cotta breathe and stay cooler than plastic or metal. Terra cotta containers are porous and require more frequent watering.
Make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the plant's roots. The more room in the container, the more blooms on the plant. Floribundas and hybrid teas need a container that's at least 16 inches in diameter and 16 to 18 inches deep. Miniature roses require a pot that is 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 12 to 14 inches deep.
To plant roses in containers:
- Use a light, loose potting soil and position the plant so that the graft union (where the canes meet the base) is two inches below the rim of the pot.
- Fill the container with a loose, lightweight potting mixture and press down gently.
- Water thoroughly. The potting mixture settles, leaving a reservoir that makes future watering easier.
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