About Moss Roses

Conditions

• Moss roses grow best in light, well-drained soil that features organic matter such as peat moss or well-rotted manure. They also need a sunny growing location. Give these roses at least six hours to eight hours of direct sun each day. In addition, moss roses flourish in hot and dry growing areas. Do not plant moss roses in shady areas, especially if they dry out slowly during the morning. Also, make sure the growing area offers good air circulation, and keep the moss roses away from fruit trees to decrease instances of shared disease and insect issues. These flowers produce many blooms in early summer, and new blooms can occur later in the season as well. They typically die at the first frost.

Description

• The flowers of some moss roses actually close during the night and on dull days. Moss roses are given this name because they have glands that cover their buds, making them look fuzzy. These glands are scented like pine and also cover the plant's sepals -- the flower parts that cover the petals during the bud stage -- as well as the pedicel, or flower stalk.

Sowing/Care

• You can grow moss roses easily from seeds. Simply scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil and use a rake to mix them in lightly. The seeds should begin germinating in 10 to 14 days if the temperature remains at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize your moss roses when the plants first produce leaves and do this after each flush of bloom until six weeks prior to your region's earliest frost date. Follow the chemical fertilizer label directions. Also, apply mulch such as pine bark to the soil to help with water retention, and water the roses deeply when the soil becomes dry.

Problems

• Moss roses are susceptible to powdery mildew, but otherwise are extremely hardy. Powdery mildew appears on new growth during periods of dry, warm days followed by nights that are cool and damp. Signs of this mildew include twisted or curled new leaves. Apply a fungicide to eradicate the fungus that causes powdery mildew, according to the manufacturer's instructions.