Growing Roses In Containers

Roses have been described in three different broad categories: Old roses, modern roses, and species and species hybrids. Within these categories there are hundreds of different types of roses. Without a doubt, there are some types of roses known to perform better in containers than others.

Growing roses in various types of containers is very popular, and for many different reasons.

• Roses grown in containers offer gardeners the flexibility of blending roses into their garden landscapes as opposed to planting them in the ground.
  
  
• Container-grown roses can be easily repositioned. If you need move to a different residence or city you won't have to leave your roses behind.
  
  
• Container-growing is a boon to people who love to grow roses, but have only stark pavement or gravel surrounding their living spaces.
  
  
• Being able to move container-grown roses to a sheltered spot if you live where winters are harsh is great advantage.
  
  
• Growing roses in containers can be very fulfilling for gardeners with physical limitations.
  
  
• Decorating with beautiful, fragrant container-grown roses offers endless ways to spruce up drab areas, either indoors or outdoors.
  
  
• Varieties, colors, sizes, shapes, and fragrances of roses that can be grown in containers are abundant.
  
  
• Last but certainly not least, growing roses in containers can be equally as enjoyable as growing them in your garden!

Whether you decide to grow just one striking rose in a single decorative container or a "garden of pots" filled with a variety of beautiful roses, it can easily be done. However, to be successful in romancing your roses in containers, it is important that you first familiarize yourself with some basics.

Deciding which varieties of roses to plant in your containers may be your most daunting task. For starters, it helps to have some idea about how many container-grown roses will fit into your gardening plan. Drawing up a sketch of your garden, patio, balcony, stairway, or other areas you want to grow some roses can often prove helpful. This should give you a fair idea of the number of roses and containers you will need.


There are some great types of containers to choose from. Wooden planters, half barrels, decorative plastic pots or planters, synthetic terracotta pots, glazed ceramic pots (with drainage holes), windowboxes for miniatures or small hybrid teas. All are appropriate for "romancing your roses!"

All containers used for planting roses MUST have drainage holes. Most containers sold at garden centers and nurseries do have drainage holes. If not, you can make holes in most plastic pots using a small drill. If you choose terracotta or concrete pots without drainage holes, using a drill that has a special masonry bit works well.

Containers should be at least 14-16 inches in diameter and 18-20 inches deep for most floribundas or small hybrid tea roses. If your containers are larger, that's a plus, as roses really do better in larger containers. Refrain from using containers that are too small as your roses will become rootbound, resulting in poor performance, or worse yet -- death. It's better to have one good-sized container to hold one beautiful specimen rose that will bloom for years, than to have a half dozen smaller containers that will only serve your roses well for one season.