Roses are red, violets are blue, roses are one of the most beautiful flowers out there for you! They look great in any garden space. Generally, when you see rose bushes they are in a gardening space but they can thrive in your backyard garden or in pots all around your yard. When growing roses in pots it is important to know how to grow them properly so they thrive and produce the most beautiful flowers.

Here is your how-to guide on growing roses in pots!

About Rose Bushes

Pink roses on top of wooden planks

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So much can be said about rose bushes, they smell great, they bloom gorgeous flowers, they are eye-catching, and conversation starters! Roses can be pruned and given as gifts and they're not that difficult to grow. Planting roses in pots can be very good for them because it gives you the chance to monitor them better. You can make sure they are not getting too much sun, because you can move the pot where ever (depending on the size of course). And you can make sure the soil is not getting too wet, from rain or over-watering.

Rose bushes can grow so large and due require pruning to maintain. Because of this not every rose plant is the right choice for growing and thriving in pots. So, it is important to choose the right plant for your pot.

There are different varieties of rose to choose from including:

Miniature - These are the perfect type for growing in pots because they have been made (cultivated) to stay on the smaller side.

Patio Roses - Another great choice for pots because they grow larger than the miniature version but they are less "lush" than the standard variety. In other words, they won't overtake your patio.

Polyantha - This variety grows in small clusters that are shorter than the average bush so they fill up your pot easily but tend not to overflow.

Ground Cover - This variety may spill over the sides of your pot but they do stay closer to the ground. These roses won't grow tall and then break off and die.

Note: Roses that like to climb are not generally the best pick for growing in pots unless you have a wall or trellis they can also climb up.

Supplies You'll Need

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Now that you know what type of roses you are going to grow, you will need to get all your supplies cleaned and ready to go. You will need:

  • A large pot (or many large pots)
  • Soil
  • Seeds/ Rose Plants
  • Fertilizer, Compost, Manure
  • Shovel/Spade
  • Watering Can/ Hose
  • Gardening Gloves
  • Gravel
  • Bonemeal/Bloodmeal
  • Supports or Trellis (If you are planting climbing roses)

Now that you have all your supplies ready it's time to start planting.

How To Grow Roses In Pots

Clay Pots for gardening

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There are a few steps that you'll need to follow when it comes to planting and growing your roses.

The first thing you are going to want to do is make sure you have the right size pot for your plant. You are going to want a larger pot - the bigger the size, the more room your plant has for the roots to grow. Also, you want to make sure your pot has good drainage, making sure it has enough holes in the bottom.

Preparing the Soil

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Next, it's time to get your soil ready for your plant. Your roses need 1/3 quality commercial potting soil, 1/3 garden compost, and 1/3 composted manure to ensure your plant is getting everything it needs. This is where you want to decide if your plant needs bloodmeal or bone meal added to it or not; this ingredient gives your roses a boost of nitrogen. Don't over fertilizer but don't forget it's important.

Now it's time to plant your roses!

Time To Plant!

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To start find a good spot in your yard or garden that will get at least seven hours of sunlight each day. Fill your pot 2/3 full with your soil mixture, and make a small hole in the soil to put your rose plant. Make sure the carefully loosen the roots of your plant before placing it into the soil, about 2 to 3 inches deep. Cover the roots and pat the soil down firmly around the plant.

Pro Tip: When picking your pot it's important to remember plastic heats up very quickly, causing the soil to get hotter then expected! To avoid this, opt for clay pots.

Just Add Water

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Now it's time to give your roses a good watering as soon as you have planted them. Water slowly so you can see the water being sucked down into the soil. Keep watering until the soil is moist all the way through, it's important that the roots get water. You will also want to make sure that your plant has a lot of fertilizer as it is growing as your plant will quickly soak up the soil nutrients. They love nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.

Your roses will have no trouble growing into lush bushes within a few months if you remember to fertilize your roses every other week and stop fertilizing about eight weeks before the first frost is due.

Stop! And, Smell the Roses

Growing roses in pots can be simple and add some extra beauty to any space if you know how to do it. These simple steps can easily guide you to growing lush rose bushes in no time. Just like any other plant you need to pick the best variety for your space, have the materials to plant and take care of your roses, and then how to fertilize, prune and water them once they are planted.