Potted Pleasure - Growing Roses In Containers

With a little help growing roses in containers on balconies and terraces will certainly be a success

Many people do not own a garden or have enough space to grow their favorite roses. Pots and baskets give them the possibility to use spaces where normally no plants would grow: on the terrace, on the balcony or patio.

Fortunately, not only miniature roses are suitable for pots or hanging baskets. Most roses can successfully be grown in containers provided they are large enough, but pay attention to select robust varieties.

Potted Roses Have Special Requests

The Pot

Pot-planting means to take particular attention to the long roots of roses. These “Rose-pots” are characterized by a high, cylindrical shape.

Choose a pot more than 15 inches deep and no less than 15 inches in diameter. If you pick a vigorous rose, take a larger container with at least 4 inches space between the root-ball and the container wall.

Drainage is a must. Be sure the water can run-off quickly through a hole, or better three holes in the bottom. Soggy soil will kill your roses in few days!

The container may be plastic, metal, clay or made from wood. Choosing plastic, use light-colored pots, as they don’t heat up that fast.

Clay pots, on the other hand, provide cooler conditions for the roots during hot weather periods.

In cold climates, it would be a good choice to take light plastic containers. To carry them into a cool, non-freezing indoor room to overwinter would be easier than to drag a heavy clay pot.

Cutting the Roots

This unique method was invented by the English rose grower Robert Mattock, to deal with the problem of deep tap rooted plants.

The Drainage

The water run-off should be secured by placing some clay fragments over the holes at the pot-bottom.

Place a layer of about 1-2 inch deep gravel or expanded clay at the bottom of the container. Remember that a working drainage is a must for healthy roses.

The Soil

Choose a high quality rose planting mix to get the best growing results for your plants. Regular soil from your garden is not the best choice for growing roses in containers.

My recommendation would be Garden Soil For Roses.

The Watering

The soil in the container must not run dry. Dryness in the root-ball will cause powdery mildew and other diseases, but be aware of “Wet Feet” which will kill your flowers.

At the height of summer, the flowers will need daily watering, possibly twice a day in very hot weather.

What Container Roses To Grow

Most roses grow well in spacious planters, but avoid large climbers, ramblers and shrub roses.  They are too large and loose in their growth habit to make perfect container plants.

Miniature roses, low growing roses and any standard hybrid tea or floribunda will do a perfect job to delight your balcony or patio.

Also, Knockout Roses can be used for a smooth start to growing roses in containers.