Care of Rose Bushes in Florida

Rose bushes add a beautiful presence and fragrant scents to your garden. With a variety of colors of red, pink, yellow and white, you can add curb appeal to a dull yard. In Florida, roses bloom year-round in the central and southern parts of the state and nine months in the northern part, according to the University of Florida Extension. In order for continued blooms and healthy growth, proper care is needed for rose bushes to grow in Florida.

Shovel
Organic compost
Wood Chips
Rose fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Place rose bushes in an area where they will receive six hours of sunlight a day. The soil should be well-drained and "hold an adequate supply of moisture and nutrients," recommends the University of Florida Extension. Add 2 to 4 inches of organic material, such as compost, to the entire garden to a depth of 12 inches in order to maintain the moisture and nutrients in the sandy Florida soil.
- 2
  Dig a hole the same size as the root ball of the rose bush. Loosen the roots carefully and place in the hole, backfilling the soil firmly around the roots.
- 3
  Saturate with water, making sure that there is not water pooling on top of the soil. Excess water can attract pests. The University of Missouri Extension recommends watering 1 to 2 inches a week early in the day to prevent "growth of fungus diseases."
- 4
  Apply a mulch of wood chips in about a 3-inch layer around each rose bush to ensure moisture and protect the area from weeds. University of Florida Extension suggests to frequently irrigate for six to eight weeks to establish.
- 5
  Fertilize once a month with a rose fertilizer that contains micronutrients and controlled-release nitrogen, suggests University of Florida Extension. Apply one cup of fertilizer to each rose bush scattered on top of the soil, making sure to not touch the stems. Water deeply. For newly planted roses, wait until new growth emerges, according to Florida Gardener.

Uses of the Rose Flower

Different Types of Rose Bushes

Rose Garden