Rose Bush Spacing

Rose Bush Spacing Basics

• Roses require air circulation and sunlight, enriched, well-drained soil , and a steady supply of water and nutrients throughout the growing season, and in dry climates regular water during winter or summer dormant periods. Roses are heavy-feeding plants with root structures extending from tiny surface feeder roots to deep, thick anchoring roots. The size of the plant at maturity determines proper spacing. Plants spaced too closely seem to thrive during the first season or two, only to struggle to reach maturity. Roses expected to reach at least 2 1/2 feet tall and wide are planted a minimum of 2 feet apart, or as far apart as the plant is expected to reach in width. Roses planted as hedges are spaced somewhat closer.

Miniature and Miniflora Roses

• Miniature and miniflora rose bushes produce perfectly formed roses smaller in size than large-flowered varieties. Plant size, rather than flower size, determines spacing. Popcorn is a micromini rose bush maturing under 1 foot tall. Jeanne la Joie is a miniature climber reaching 10 feet tall and wide. Miniflora roses reach 2 to 4 feet tall and wide with flowers slightly larger than miniature roses. Plant miniature and miniflora roses according to plant width size at maturity. Climbers planned for training to a narrower width are more closely spaced.

Floribunda Roses

• Floribunda roses are the result of crossing a hybrid tea and a phoyantha rose. The name, meaning "flowering in abundance," was coined by American rose growers Jackson & Perkins, which introduced floribunda roses at the 1939 World's Fair. These tough plants produce clusters of roses at the ends of long stems continuously or in rapidly repeated flushes throughout the growing season. For specimen plants, follow the rule of thumb for spacing according to mature plant width, which varies among cultivars. Floribunda roses are used as mass plantings, hedges and to line walkways in public and private landscapes. In these situations, floribunda roses are planted somewhat closer together, at 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart.

Shrubs and Climbers

• Though all rosebushes are shrubs, those designated as such are sturdy landscape plants with good disease resistance, winter hardiness and a well-rounded shape. Large-shrub rosebushes are trained as climbers as desired. Shrub and climbing roses reach expected size at maturity under optimal conditions. This will be smaller, larger or at the listed catalog size according to climate and growing conditions. Consult your nursery or local rose society for guidance on what to expect in your area. Plant climbing roses and shrubs for maximum development of the root system, and so plenty of sunlight reaches their tops throughout their growth and into maturity.