Roses are perhaps the most commonly grown and most beloved plants in the world. Though they have the reputation for being difficult to grow and maintain, the opposite is true. Roses are easy to grow, hardy, and are suitable for most any garden provided it receives full sun. While rose gardening can prove to be a challenge, once you get the hang of it, it is actually quite simple. With over 150 species to choose from it can be difficult to decide which is right for you.

When you first start rose gardening, you will have to determine what type of rose you want to plant. There are basically only a few categories of roses; shrub roses, bush roses, climbing roses & ramblers. You will also have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses. Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring. They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable. Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bad or box with something around the roots to retain moisture, such as sawdust. Container-grown roses are sold in pots and may already be in bloom when they become available in the early spring.

Roses are planted in much the same way garden shrubs are planted. The most important thing, as always, is nutrient rich soil and a sunny location. It doesn't matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting methods are the same as any other garden plant. Also, be sure you plant your roses where they'll have adequate space to grow. This is important since roses are fast growers.

Prior to planting your roses, remove any dead leaves and prune off any unhealthy looking or decaying stems. Damaged or very long roots can be pruned as well. Bare-rooted roses should be allowed to soak in water for about 10-12 hours before planting. This will help restore the root's moisture. Dig a hole about twice the size of the rose's root ball and just as deep. As you plant, mix compost into the existing soil to increase water retention. Roses like extra nutrients just like other plants. After planting roses, water them well.

Roses have the same basic requirement as other plant. They are, however, heavy feeders and require several fertilizer applications over the course of the season. Rose should be fertilize in early spring and a few time over the summer. Avoid fertilizing late in the summer. Also, be sure not to over-fertilize and water after each feeding. Roses require a thorough watering twice a week should be enough.

Proper pruning is essential to a successful rose garden. It increases blooms and encourages healthy new growth. Different varieties of roses have different pruning requirements. Basically each growing season produces quite a bit of new growth. Each winter kills this off and needs to be pruned the following spring. The objective is to remove the dead and damaged branches just as the new buds begin to form and turn red in the early spring.

Roses, if planted in the right spot and cared for properly, provide gardens with years of beautiful flowers. Although growing roses requires little more effort than most gardens they are definitely worth the extra work.