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Landscaping with Roses - Location Decisions

© Mark Whitelaw

Once the design "whys" and "hows" have been answered, the next order of business is to determine the best landscape location for siting roses in the landscape - the "where."

Locating the roses is fundamentally a design decision dependent upon the gardener's landscape intentions and driven by the three fundamental needs for all roses - plenty of sun, plenty of air, and plenty of nutrient availability.

Sun

Roses need sun. Lots of sun! Normally, not less than six hours of sun! With few exceptions, roses will not bloom regularly, remain disease resistant, nor grow to their "programmed" size without a minimum of six hours of sun. Whether designing roses into a specified, monocultural area such as a rose garden or distributing them in and around the landscape, care must be taken to design the landscape so that the roses will receive the maximum amount of sun available.

If planting them in groups, space the taller roses behind so they will not shade their smaller companions. If planting them among other landscape ornamentals, locate them well away from tall-growing shrubs or perennials. Keep them to the south-facing side of tall fences, walls or tall-growing shrubs. If planted near wooded areas, watch the sun-shade patterns of the trees to ensure the maximum amount of direct sun. And remember: As the seasons change, so do the shade patterns. Planting a rose on a north-facing wall will keep it in the shade for most of the year. Hint: Place a few stakes in your proposed planting areas and time the amount of direct sun the stakes receive during a typical spring or summer day.

In the drawing, note the three roses (the "starburst" graphic). The rose on the left is shaded on both the east and west side by dense shrubbery. The only sun it will receive is when the sun is directly overhead - the worst sun of the day.

The rose on the right (the east) receives morning sun - the best sun of the day. On an average day, it will receive about six hours of sun. Planted to the east and in front of this rose are low growing perennials. Taller perennials are kept behind the rose, along the wall.

The rose in front of the shrub receives sun for the entire day. Companion plantings are kept low and in front of the rose. This rose will be the healthiest, bloom the best and grow to its designated size.

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