Rose lovers cherish and look after their treasures with the greatest care and guard them like the apple of their eyes. But is all of this necessary? Do shrub roses really need that much care or do you just have to pay them a visit every now and then?
How do you properly care for shrub roses?
The care of shrub roses includes regular cutting to promote flowering, fertilization especially for more frequently flowering varieties, targeted watering in hot and dry conditions and the avoidance of fungal diseases through suitable location selection and careful plant care.
How and when do you cut the shrub roses correctly?
Basically, it is not absolutely necessary to cut the shrub roses. But pruning keeps the shrub roses growing and promotes flowering. It is therefore best to regularly cut off all withered flowers down to the underlying leaf in summer. This stimulates the formation of new flower buds.
A small pruning should be done in the spring. Shrub roses are cut back by about 1/3. Also remove the following:
- old and rotten shoots
- crossing shoots
- inwardly growing shoots
- frozen shoots
Are fertilizers necessary for all varieties?
Frequently flowering varieties in particular need fertilizer in order to be able to bloom throughout the summer and into autumn. So fertilize them regularly! Shrub roses that bloom once only need a single application of fertilizer every spring.
Here are a few tips:
- Fertilizers: horn shavings (€12.00 on Amazon), compost, manure
- if applicable Use long-term fertilizer
- Give long-term fertilizer from May
- fertilize for the first time in spring, for the second time during flowering and for the third time immediately after flowering - ideal
- Stop fertilizing from the beginning of September at the latest
When should shrub roses be watered and how?
Since shrub roses form a deep taproot, they do not need to be watered constantly. Watering is only recommended for growth and in hot and dry conditions. Pay attention:
1. Do not water directly on the leaves (increases the risk of fungal diseases)!
2. Water preferably in the morning or evening!
3. Older specimens are watered less often than younger ones!4. Use low-lime water for watering!
Which diseases are occurring more frequently?
Roses are primarily affected by fungal diseases, especially if they are in an unfavorable position. Infected shoots should be cut off and disposed of as quickly as possible. The most common ones are powdery mildew, star sooty mildew and rose rust.
Tip
Fungal diseases are promoted if the shrub rose is in a protected location! Therefore, make sure that the location is airy when planting!
