Roses in Containers
...for those short on garden space!

All types of roses can be grown in a container: you just have to find the right container!

Plastic is inexpensive, clay is fashionable but does tend to suck out the moisture and concrete is very heavy.

It actually doesn't matter what the container is as long as it's good and big! One of the nicest climbers I ever saw was planted in an old ceramic toilet bowl!

As a very rough measure: large half oak barrel sizes for Hybrid Teas and climbers, 2 gallon pot size for miniature and don't forget hanging baskets. Many miniatures do well in large size (especially with depth) hanging baskets. Do make sure your containers have many drainage holes and I prefer to have them lifted from the ground surface with pot "feet", bricks or wheels. This helps with drainage.

Here are five pointers to ensure success with your roses in containers:

Soil Mix

You need a light, well aerated mix that holds water. A mix like perlite, peat moss and good soil for example. I use the number #4 mix which is a very light, peaty, potting soil type mix, with a light garden soil.

Always mix in some good rotted garden compost (or buy a bag!)and make sure the mix drains well. Some composted bark mulch or peat would help. Ordinary garden soil is not good enough as it doesn't drain well and tends to compact very quickly.

Fertilizing

Use some osmacote or whatever very slow release fertilizer you have. Being in a container, your roses need a constant nutrient supply so a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Grow or fish emulsion at half strength, once a week, would be a good plan as well.

Watering

In summer, daily watering will be required, preferably in the evening. In very hot weather, try moving the containers into partial shade for a time to cut down on the evaporation.

Remember, also, that containers under an overhang or tree do not get watered even when it rains: something I always forget! A water testing probe is a very handy tool for testing the water retention of most containers.

Companion Planting

Having a large container means that you can add some other plants, particularly if the rose in the container is a climber. Roses generally do not like competition but planting pansies or other short root annuals could be appropriate.

I have used trailing lobelia and trailing bacopa quite successfully with containers of miniature roses. Miniature roses, by the way are excellant choices for containers, including hanging baskets. Just remember to replace about 1/4 of the soil each year and prune accordingly, just as if your miniature rose was planted in the garden.

In a hanging basket, prune out the middle to leave the outside stems to hang.

Multiple Arrangements

Don't forget that, unlike the roses in the garden, roses in containers can be moved around to suit the occasion. Move the mid bloom one out and move the full bloom one in!

Change the groupings, adjust the types of containers, even put one container inside another for pot color change. Roses in containers are a very versatile choice.

Roses in containers provide a new boost to those with small patios or balconies. Now we can all have roses at our back door.

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