Rose Guide

Select a site with excellent drainage in a spot which receives 5 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. A raised bed, mound or berm is ideal.
Dig the hole 18" by 18", deep enough for the bud or graft union to sit 2" below the soil.
Add Espoma Bio-Tone and compost, then mix with garden fork (we also recommend incorporating Espoma Soil Perfector in heavy clay soil).
Set the root ball in the hole, backfill with soil, and water it in thoroughly (approx. 2 gallons).

For newly planted roses, check the soil moisture by inserting a finger past the second knuckle. If it feels dry, give it a deep drink. The soil should remain moist but never saturated.
Remove winter protection in spring and prune canes back to 15", removing weak or damaged canes.
Fertilize monthly with Rose-Tone from April until September. Use copper for fungus control during periods of high humidity. Use Eight insecticide for insect control (be sure an apply it in the evening after sunset to protect the pollinators) as needed.
Remove spent blooms by pruning past the first set of 5 leaves, but stop any pruning or deadheading after mid-August and allow rose hips to develop (this promotes hardiness).
After several hard frosts, usually between Halloween and Thanksgiving, clean away any fallen leaves, add one more dose of Rose-Tone and cover the base with 12" of soil for winter protection. Tie the canes together to limit winter damage and gently water the soil mound thoroughly.