Star Nursery Dr. Q Rose Gardening In The Desert 2018

Roses do very well in our climate. They love our heat, are not affected by our cold winters, and tolerate the alkaline soil and water conditions quite well.

Roses do best with afternoon shade and at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. They should be planted in the east side of the house or where they get filtered sunlight through trees or other shading material in the afternoons.

Roses should be planted using a good amount of organic planting mix or mulch mixed with the native soil. It is also important to mulch around the base of the plants with organic mulch or compost to keep the surface roots cooler and retain moisture.

Roses typically flower their best in the spring of every year with large, colorful blooms. As the weather gets hotter, the flowers may tend to get smaller and fewer, but they can still continue blooming through the summer with regular fertilizing.

Roses should be watered deeply but infrequently. Deep and thorough watering is the most efficient and effective way to water roses. It is important to avoid putting rock mulch directly around the base of the plants, as it may add to the heat stress problems in the summer.

Yes, because we have mild winters, roses can stay green and flower all year round. However, it is still best to cut them back severely in January or February to give them a resting period and store up energy for the new spring season.

You can get a free copy of Star Note number 520 at your local Star Nursery or at startnursery.com for more information on roses. Additionally, you can check out this week's specials at Star Nursery for rose and flower care products.